Veteran actress Ali Lee has embarked on a significant new chapter in her acting career, taking on the demanding role of delivering her lines entirely in Mandarin for the Malaysian drama The Exiled. This linguistic hurdle, a departure from her usual Cantonese performances, has proven to be a profound challenge and a rewarding learning experience for the seasoned performer.
Following her departure from TVB, Lee has been actively charting her own course, establishing her own company and pursuing diverse acting opportunities. Her recent nomination for Best Actress at the TVB Anniversary Awards for her role in Heavenly Hand underscored her continued relevance and talent, even though she ultimately did not secure a spot in the Top 10, a result that some online commentators deemed predictable. Despite this, Lee’s enduring popularity remains undeniable, a testament to her dedicated fanbase and her consistent quality of work.
The Exiled, filmed on location in Malaysia, sees Lee reunited with longtime friend and colleague Lai Lok-yi. The series recently premiered locally, with both actors actively engaged in promotional activities, sharing their experiences and insights with the public. Beyond her professional endeavors, Ali Lee has also demonstrated a commitment to social responsibility, utilizing the recent festive season to bring cheer to children battling long-term illnesses. Her visits to hospitals, filled with games and words of encouragement, have garnered widespread admiration from netizens, who have lauded her for her positive spirit and genuine compassion.
Reflecting on the linguistic demands of The Exiled, Lee candidly shared the intensity of her experience. "It was my first time acting entirely in Mandarin," she explained. "I realized that when delivering lines, you really need to put in extra effort—your pronunciation has to be very precise. I remember during the first scene in Mandarin, I had so many NG takes. I had to memorize every single word, remember the tones, the rhythm and intonation; it was quite exhausting." This meticulous approach highlights Lee’s dedication to mastering her craft and fully embodying her characters, even when venturing into unfamiliar linguistic territory. The process demanded a level of focus and precision that pushed her beyond her established comfort zone, ultimately enriching her artistic repertoire.
In a striking contrast, Lai Lok-yi, who has earned the playful moniker "Hong Kong Mandarin Godfather," spent the entirety of his performance in The Exiled speaking Cantonese. He humorously alluded to his Mandarin skills being in a state of stasis for the past decade. "I actually enjoy speaking it, but I don’t get many opportunities," Lok-yi admitted. "This drama is quite serious, and my Mandarin isn’t very standard. Plus, when I speak it, it gives off a very cheerful, feel-good vibe. I once tried speaking Mandarin for the director, but after hearing it, he said it sounded too happy and didn’t suit the character’s personality, so he politely declined and told me not to speak any Mandarin at all." Lok-yi expressed his enthusiasm for potentially delivering lines in Mandarin should the opportunity arise in a comedic role, believing that "everyone would still understand." Lee, amused by his anecdote, quipped, "Hopefully the subtitle team would understand (me) too," adding a lighthearted touch to the conversation about their linguistic experiences. This dynamic between the two actors, with one embracing a new linguistic challenge and the other humorously sidestepping it due to character suitability, adds an engaging layer to their on-screen chemistry and their off-screen camaraderie.
The reunion of Ali Lee and Lai Lok-yi in The Exiled marks a significant on-screen partnership, occurring seven years after their memorable collaboration in Who Wants a Baby?. Lai Lok-yi observed that while Ali has evolved considerably over the years, the foundation of trust between them has deepened substantially. "I used to keep telling her, ‘Trust me,’ ‘We can handle this,’ and she’d ask, ‘Really?’" Lok-yi recalled, noting that Ali now exhibits a greater degree of confidence in their collaborative process, rarely questioning his judgment. This evolution in their professional dynamic speaks volumes about their shared history and the solid working relationship they have cultivated. The ability to rely on each other implicitly is a hallmark of experienced actors who have built a rapport through shared experiences and mutual respect.
Delving into their personal boundaries and on-screen "no-go" areas, Ali Lee humorously suggested that Lai Lok-yi’s primary concern might be the state of his hair. However, Lok-yi swiftly refuted this, asserting, "That’s wrong—I go out without combing my hair all the time. Ali’s real bottom line is probably not making her look bad." This playful banter highlights their comfortable rapport and their understanding of each other’s professional sensitivities. Ali, in turn, seized the opportunity to playfully lament a past experience, recounting how she felt "wrongly trusted" by Lok-yi when he invited her to film A Chef and a Gentleman. She had been under the impression that the project would involve a relaxing trip to Japan, a notion that quickly dissolved upon seeing the final product. "I had just finished a drama and was in terrible shape—I looked really worn out," she explained. "He promised he’d make me look great, said we’d enjoy cherry blossoms and coffee. But when I watched the show, I looked completely exhausted, my hair was all frizzy—I really trusted the wrong person." This anecdote, shared with a blend of mock exasperation and genuine affection, further illustrates the enduring and teasing nature of their friendship, a bond forged through years of shared professional journeys and personal understanding. Their ability to reminisce about past projects with such candor and humor underscores the strong foundation of their professional and personal connection, allowing them to navigate new ventures like The Exiled with a sense of ease and shared history. This deep-seated trust and understanding are invaluable assets in the demanding world of entertainment, enabling them to deliver compelling performances and maintain a positive outlook, even when facing new challenges.
