omonatheydid | "To The Fore" Post aka Fortune Cookie Brothers Appreciation Post

To The Fore breaks 100 Million in China
The Eddie Peng Yu-Yan, Choi Si-Won, Shawn Dou Xiao and Carlos Chan Ka Lok starred, director Dante Lam Chiu Yin directed Emperor Motion Picture TO THE FORE (POR FUNG) already broke 100 million RMB in China and continued to climb. Many viewers said that the film was full of inspirational elements. Some parents said that this was a film that was very suitable for the entire family. Lam Chiu Yin who made UNBEATABLE (GIK JIN) before said, "UNBEATABLE cheered on young people, so everything in TO THE FORE was the director's attitude toward youth."

Eddie Peng, Shawn Dou and Choi Siwon (aka Fortune Cookie Brothers) grow close after filming To The Fore

Co-produced by Hong Kong and Taiwan, the EEG film To the Fore <破風> will be showing in cinemas starting August 6. Directed by Dante Lam (林超賢) and starring Taiwanese actor Eddie Peng (彭于晏), Chinese actor Shawn Dou (竇驍), and Korean actor-singer Choi Siwon (崔始源), the globe-trotting film follows a trio of young Asian cyclists who aspire to be successful international bike racers.

The three leads—Eddie, Shawn, and Siwon—came to Hong Kong recently to promote the film, which will open in Hong Kong on August 6 and Taiwan on August 7. To the Fore is action-packed with intense cycling scenes, and Eddie shared that they did most of the stunts in the film. “Shooting racing scenes were the most dangerous. If one or two people fall over, the people behind them will also fall.”

Siwon said he had injured his hand and waist while filming. He quickly clarified that Dante Lam was not a demanding director; he trusted his actors and staff to take care of each other.

In the film, both Eddie and Shawn pursue lead actress Wang Luodan (王珞丹). Eddie said this scenario is really hard to come across in real life. “It happened when I was in high school, but I didn’t have the courage to confess to her, so I became my friend’s wingman in the end. I didn’t know anything at the time. I felt that keeping my friends was more important.”

Asking if he was ever the target of affection for his classmates, he said, “That never happened. I was a fat kid. When I graduated, I was 158 cm tall and weighed 62 kg. But I did receive love letters every day—letters teaching me how to lose weight.”

Eddie, Shawn, and Siwon became good friends after filming To the Fore together. Shawn said he wants to explore Taiwan with Eddie and Siwon. He also shared that Dante Lam has been thinking about bringing back the original cast to star in a film about diving. Siwon said he will be more than happy to star in the film if Eddie and Shawn are also returning.

On what it was like to work with Siwon, who is also a member of the K-pop group Super Junior, Eddie was full of praises. “He’s a really hard-working artiste. When I first heard about him, I already knew he was in the super group Super Junior, and I listened to their music. He was extremely well-prepared when he first came on set. They’re always on tour; he has to sing, dance, and now act—I don’t think there are many people who can have this much energy. It’s not bad. I admire him a lot.”

Cast + Director of To The Fore cycle to the premiere

The film TO THE FORE (POR FUNG) two nights ago held a charity premiere in Causeway Bay. Before the premiere a 100 bicycle start ceremony took place at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. Director Dante Lam Chiu Yin led Choi Si-Won, Eddie Peng Yu-Yan, Carlos Chan Ka Lok and others in cycling gear and rode from the Wan Chai Golden Bauhinia Square to the Causeway Bay Times Square. Finally the 100 person cycling team arrived after 40 minutes.

While preparing in Wan Chai, Peng Yu-Yan and Choi Si-Won attracted over 300 screaming fans. Most were Si-Won fans. Some fans even cheered Si-Won on in Korean.

At the premiere, the director and the two lead actors were interviewed. Lam Chiu Yin said that this time was very comfortable because the cycling team was very orderly. They did not race and obeyed the traffic laws. On the way many people cheered them on and everyone was very happy.

Peng Yu-Yan said that he was very happy, everyone have not ridden together in a long time. This time they had a rare police escort and were able to ride with the people of Hong Kong, which brought him back to the feeling during the production because they shot at Central for two or three days. The director also thanked the Hong Kong sports world and cycling team for their assistance, for example Wong Kam Bo gave a lot of suggestions. Choi Si-Won pointed out that he was especially glad about being able to ride in such a pretty place. Speaking of how crazy his fans got, he said that he really liked them but hoped that everyone would pay attention to safety.

As for a sequel, Lam Chiu Yin said that he would definitely make one if the film would perform well at the box office. Peng Yu-Yan said, "Let's do it!" Choi Si-Won also cheered. Two nights ago Si-Won's fans seemed to have a greater presence. Peng Yu-Yan said that Si-Won's fans actually treated him very well. During the shoot they prepared a lot of food for them to replenish their energy. He praised Si-Won's fans for providing them with strength.

Does Choi Siwon have a man crush on co-star Eddie Peng? (yes, yes he does)

Hong Kong director Dante Lam's movie To The Fore features a slew of hot male bods and three handsome male leads in Choi Si Won, Eddie Peng and Shawn Dou.

But female viewers will be disappointed if they expect to see much of the trio's ripped abs and toned bods.

Lam, 50, says: "In my last movie, Unbeatable (2013), there was a lot of focus on the actors' figures. This time around, I don't want the attention to be on that. I want audiences to watch the cycling."

Unbeatable is a boxing drama for which Taiwanese actor Peng underwent intense training to transform his body to look like a mixed martial arts fighter. In the new movie, there is only a brief glimpse of Peng's physique.

Lam and Choi were at a press conference for To The Fore on Wednesday at the Art Science Museum. It opens in cinemas on Thursday.

Fans hoping to see Choi's topless hot bod have to ensure the movie is a hit at the box office. Choi, of Korean boyband Super Junior, says: "If the box office is good, I will come back here and go to a seaside and take my top off."

Despite the testosterone-heavy film set, there was neither much peacocking nor clash of male egos among the cast.

According to the Lam, Choi and his fellow actors braved the tough training together to look the part of a competitive cyclist. The training regimen included cycling 100km daily and thigh workouts at the gym.

Choi and Peng also exchanged workout tips, and ate protein-heavy and healthy food to help build muscles to achieve their ideal physiques. Choi shares that he prefers to have a sleek build, while Peng was after "bigger" and bulky muscles.

The 29-year-old Korean hunk gushed about his new-found soulmate Peng.

He says: "I like Eddie. He's a good friend. It's really hard to find a connection (like that). When I first saw him, I was like, wow, this guy is really awesome. He's a really hard worker. He's my oppa ( Korean for older brother)."

Siwon doesn't think Nationality means anything when dating

On August 5th, it was announcement that Chinese- American actress Liu Yi Fei and Korean actor Song Seung Hun are dating. While interviewing with the Chinese media, a reporter asked Siwon his opinion on couples who date from different nationalities.

He responded with “Can love be divided by nationality”? He further stated, “This is not a big deal”, stressing the point that love can happened in anyone’s life no matter where they were born. The media and fans of Siwon have been speculating that he is in a relationship with China’s top model Liu Wen even since they appeared on the hit variety show ‘We Are In Love’, the Chinese version of ‘We Got Married’.

Could Siwon’s response mean that he is in a relationship with Liu Wen and doesn’t mind that she has a different nationality than him? Rumors that the two are dating will continue to grow, especially after he made these comments. Do you think he was hinting that Liu Wen is his girlfriend? Please share your comments.

No Baring of Hot Bods

Hong Kong director Dante Lam's movie To The Fore features a slew of hot male bods and three handsome male leads in Choi Si Won, Eddie Peng and Shawn Dou.

However, viewers will be disappointed if they expect to see much of the trio's ripped abs and toned bods. Lam, 50, says: "In my last movie, Unbeatable, there was a lot of focus on the actors' physiques. This time, I don't want the attention to be on that. I want audiences to watch the cycling."

Unbeatable (2013) is a boxing drama in which Taiwanese actor Peng underwent intense training to transform his body to look like a mixed martial arts fighter.

In the new movie, there is only a brief glimpse of Peng's physique.

Lam and Choi were at a press conference for To The Fore on Wednesday at the ArtScience Museum.

Fans hoping to see Choi's topless hot bod have to ensure the movie is a hit at the box office. Choi, 29, from South Korean boyband Super Junior, says: "If the box-office showing is good, I will come back here and go to the seaside and take off my top."

Despite the testosterone-heavy film set, there was no clash of egos among the cast. According to Lam, Choi and his fellow actors braved the tough training together to look the part of competitive cyclists. The training regimen included cycling 100km daily and thigh workouts at the gym.

Choi and Peng also exchanged workout tips and ate protein-heavy and healthy food to build muscle to achieve their ideal physiques.

Choi says he prefers to have a sleek build, while Peng was after the bulky look.

He also gushed about Peng, his newfound soulmate. He says: "I like Eddie. He's a good friend. It's hard to find a connection like that. When I first saw him, I was like, wow, this guy is awesome. He's my oppa (Korean for older brother)."

Peng returns the compliment in a telephone interview from Hong Kong yesterday with local media.

The 33-year-old says: "It's rare to make a good friend through work. We are about the same age. He's a serious artist, he can sing, dance and act." He adds that he would not let a woman come between him and his buddies, unlike Peng's and Dou's characters in the movie, who fall in love with a female cyclist.

"What's most important is the girl's decision," he says matter-of-factly.

What type of woman will catch the eligible bachelor's fancy?

Displaying the same publicity savvy as his buddy Choi, Peng says: "Someone who likes to ride a bicycle. She must watch To The Fore."

•To The Fore is showing in cinemas.

10 Questions with Super Junior's Siwon (More on Eddie Oppa)
The host has every reason to joke that Siwon should be awarded the PR status because of the number of times he’s visited the country. For a K-pop idol who has a packed schedule, the Super Junior member has already been in town eight times, both as a Super Junior member and actor Choi Siwon.

His most recent visit was to promote his latest movie, To The Fore. The movie, which also stars Eddie Peng and Shawn Dou, tells the story of three ambitious professional cyclists who has to overcome physical and mental obstacles to reach the pinnacle.

We sat in for the press conference and interview to get the low-down on the movie.

He likes a muscular but lean body.
We're not the same type. Eddie is bigger. He likes bigger physiques, while I prefer a slim build.

A domestique: (a rider who rides for the benefit of his team leader). His domestiques? His parents.
Actually, I was very mischievous when I was younger, but my parents always respected my decisions. They trust me, and because I know they trust me, I don't want to disappoint them. If I had a choice or a chance, I would always follow my parents completely. [No matter what my choice is,] they believe in me and trust me.

Siwon… the next Jackie Chan?
… At first, my dad and mum were worried about my job because back then, it was very tough. I was only 18, but they trusted my company, so they [allowed me to pursue it]. (Note: This was said in a mix of English and Mandarin.) Oh my gosh, I feel like Mr [Jackie] Chan! He sometimes speaks English, Mandarin and sometimes Cantonese.

The camaraderie among Siwon, Eddie and Shawn ticked off the director sometimes because they kept playing around.
I remember when our director got angry, the first time was … when we had to pee together on the road. And that day, we didn't have much time and the director wanted to shoot a specific angle. I think he wanted to shoot the sunset, but the producer said we didn’t have time so he asked us to hurry.

He’s always been an exercise buff.
Since young, I’ve always liked exercising, riding bikes and playing basketball. I was from a mixed school, so they would pay a lot of attention to the guys [who do sports].

He calls Eddie his oppa (Korean for older brother, although used by girls).
I like Eddie. He's a good friend. It's really hard to find a connection (like that). When I first saw him, I was like, wow, this guy is really awesome. He's a really hard worker. He's my oppa.

His first day on set was already a shocker.
I still remember the first time I met [Eddie] in Kenting. It was really hurried because I was the last to join this movie. I was already training with a Korean coach. When I went to Kenting and met Eddie, it was very hot—almost 40 degrees. [It was my] first time shooting in Kenting [and it was] 40 degrees, uphill. The director said, “Go straight.” Maybe more than six times. The camera kept rolling, and I was like, “Really?” And [Eddie] said, just one word, “That’s Dante.” (Laughs) Now I totally agree with him. I just gave up everything and just followed everything he wants. [Eddie] is a really good brother.

Eddie gave him acting tips.
Because he’s a senior. He’s older than me and he has a lot of experience. I have to speak in Mandarin in the movie, so I would ask him every day if my enunciation was OK. And he said, “Yeah, it’s fine, no problem. You’re a foreigner, you’re not from Taiwan. You’re not Chinese, so it’s OK. Don’t worry. Do whatever you want, it’s OK. Make it comfortable. It sounds better.” He helped me a lot. And the director too. The director [always said], “No problem”.

His schedule was so packed that he didn’t know what was happening around him.
On 2nd July, I went to Kenting from Hong Kong because we had a concert on 1st July. I went from eating hotpot to going to Kenting, and then changing and reaching the scene – that's my story. After the day ended, I was on the bed and I was like, “It has started? Where am I?”

We might have the chance to see Siwon topless in Singapore.
The movie doesn’t have the front view [when I was topless in the sauna], but if our movie do well in the box office, I'll come back here and go to the beach topless.

Star Talk HK Interview

saw the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it! and fortune cookie brothers are very adorable yes