For previous part, click HERE

Asian-buzz readers, thank you for your encouragement! It’s been a very busy week at my regular job. But I’ve finally completed the part 5 of the interview!

Do you know that at 34 years old now, Takeshi do like kids? Do you think Takeshi would accept movie roles that would include steamy bed scenes? How about his special someone? Does he have one? You’ll find out the answers and more after you read through this interview. So read on and share with us what your comments

*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com

Takeshi: Once you already know that I [paparazzi] am following you, then…he won’t follow you anymore. Because they want to take stolen photo shots of you.
Sandra: oh…not too bad..
Takeshi: *chuckes..But, it’s not like that here for us here. right?
Sandra: Yeah. Even when they know that you know they’re following, they continue anyway.
Takeshi: In Japan, I’ve done this before. When I found out that I am being followed. Then, I deliberately let them know that. I look that them…then they’d move on. Then they don’t follow anymore.
Sandra: Ah…because they want to shoot pictures of ones that you are off guard. Does that mean each time you’re in Japan, you look around to see if there’s any paparazzi lurking anywhere? Blow their covers immediately and be fine?
Takeshi: hmmm…Sometimes I would pay attention. But most of the time, no. Because usually in Japan, we’re not doing anything bad or secretive. Usually it’s just meeting friends and having meals together. Besides in Japan, they don’t have what we call here as “Gou Zai Duei” (paparazzi). Everybody is paparazzi. They take one picture and sell it off. There’s less of that in Japan.
Sandra: Yeah. In Hong Kong or mainland, people can take random picture of you and sell it to press. Is that not the same in Japan? Like, would regular people in the streets (in Japan) sell pictures they took (of celebrity) to press?
Takeshi: They probably wouldn’t.

Sandra: Do you have an elder or younger brother or similar. Is it okay to share?
Takeshi: I have an elder brother
Sandra:Is he as handsome as you?
Takeshi: *smile* How is that possible? [Asianbuzz: *laughs Takeshi got a cute sense of humor]
Sandra:*lots of laughs Are you the most good looking in the family?
Takeshi: *lots of laugh* I don’t dare say. *laughs My dad is the best looking!
Sandra: But I’ve never met your dad. Each time…
Takeshi: *chuckles* If you see him, you might also go like this [action: mouth dropped open] *chuckles
Sandra: *laughs…huh? he still is like that [meaning, he still has that reaction on others].
Takeshi: very much so. I think so.

Sandra: Another mysterious thing (about you) is that, all these years, nobody knows if you have a girlfriend.
Takeshi: *nods his head* [Asianbuzz: I wonder if Takeshi is getting nervous inside]
Sandra: [to the audience] Hey, I really don’t know okay?? *chuckles Like, no one really knows if you are dating. Uh..so then…is there really one? *laughs from both
Takeshi: *laughs With this type of questions, I think even if I said there’s none, no one would believe anyway. But it seems like I can only say there’s no one. Because even if I have one, honestly, I only would say there’s no one. Because news distribution is very advanced. One small news can be blown up. But if your relationship is not that steady yet, and it gets blown up, it will harm the relationship. If the other person is not in the industry, she’ll get harmed too. If she is, she’ll get hurt too. So, if I don’t feel that this is definitely the one for me, I..I’d rather keep it to myself.
Sandra: Well, you’re still young anyway. There’s no need for you to rush…rush in settling down.
Takeshi: But I do get envious watching you.
Sandra: Sigh..wait till you reach my age before you think about it. okay? *laughs from both* But do you really envy it? Do you like kids?
Takeshi: You’re kids are cute. Me, of course, I’m going everywhere alone. Of course, I’d feel lonely too at times. But work is really busy and … every opportunity that comes is very good. I think I should (continue) doing a good job.

Sandra: So do you now have an idea in your mind before taking on a new role? Like this year, you had 3 movies right? Have you thought about which types of role/projects you will be picking out down the road?
Takeshi: Right now, I’ll do almost everything that I can. Cuz, I’m 34 years old now, right?
Sandra: wow…you’re very honest/direct about it. Uhh..let me see how much older I am than you.
Takeshi: My seniors would say “think about it, you’re 34 now. The finish product you come out with when you’re 34 is uniquely that. If you film only one in a year then you are missing on other. It’s for your career or for the type of work you leave in the industry.

Sandra: You’ve filmed with all kinds of Directors. [Sandra recites several names] These are all pretty big named Directors. Are there any ones that you’d like to work with more.
Takeshi: I’d like to try some work certain foreign Directors.
Sandra: Oh right.
Takeshi: Like, I’d go to Thailand and see their nice commercials… I want to be part of that creativity. When I’m in Korea, I think their movies are very good. I’d want to try that too.

Sandra: Well then, what kind of films would you absolutely not do? Like some actors would use Tony Leung as an example. And actress would of course refer to Tang Wei [Asianbuzz: She’s referring to the all-nude bed scene those actors did in the movie “Lust Caution”] Would you have dared to do what Tony did?
Takeshi: In the beginning, of course no. Unless after reading the script, you really feel it’s worth it.
*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com
Sandra: What would you consider worth it. Is it the Director endlessly asking…
Takeshi: It’s hard to say this or that..would be worth it. There’s also that feeling that you can do it and it would be a great one. I don’t think there’s a formula. Of course, you’d know that with certain big named Directors, that the quality of the movie is at least of certain quality. And if you know that a lot of dimension can be added on a movie, then you’d have more confidence. If you encounter something like that, you may want to try it. Because it’s a breakthrough for you and for the movie.
Sandra: So you have confidence…*laughs*…but you’re so shy.
Takeshi: *laughs Right now, I don’t think I can….*laughs [Asianbuzz: Takeshi’s embarrassed smile is so cute!] wait till I practice more *laughs
Sandra: I think cuz your still young now. Maybe after you’re 10 years older, you might have the guts to do it. Tony’s a lot older than you and it took him this long to do something like this. Maybe if he was your age, he might now have dared to do it either. Don’t worry you have a long way to go…
Takeshi: *laughs
Sandra: Well, like you said …34 years old man has his own feel
Takeshi: But they may not want me by that time *laughs [Asianbuzz: hahaha!! ]
Sandra: *laughs* Come on! You won’t be anywhere far behind Andy Lao or Tony Leung. I think the older men become, and with more experience..on camera…they’re more attractive. Last question, *chuckles, you’re physique..do you work hard for it?
Takeshi:No…
Sandra: But I’ve noticed that you eat a lot.
Takeshi: #1, I don’t gain weight from eating.
Sandra: Have you observed and realized why?
*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com
Takeshi: Umm..maybe my “Fu Qi” (good luck) has not arrived yet. I look my relatives..and.. I lose more weight as a get older. It’s so strange, y’know? There might be a time that I’ll all of a sudden get “Fu” [luck=fat]. It could be because I love sports in school.
Sandra: And now you don’t do it anymore, on the contrary.
Takeshi: Now? who would have time to go exercising with me? [Asianbuzz: oh.. I know many people who would sign-up, Takeshi].
The sports are like basketball, you need more people. Where would you find people who have time for you?

Sandra: Do you jog or go to gym?
Takeshi: I tried that before. Then later I felt bored *chuckles
Sandra: Well some people hire personal coach, personalized meals. But I know you wouldn’t go for that. How about doing facials?
Takeshi: *chuckles* no no..
Sandra: That’s why I’m saying…some people are born with natural good looks, you can’t envy them (cuz it’s useless)
Takeshi:*chuckles* No No..It’s not like that. I think it’s a blessing that I don’t gain weight. But it’s also because I stay up late working, so it’s hard to gain weight.
Sandra: hmmm..okay *laughs* well, thank you so much for taking time to be here today.
Takeshi: *laughs Thank you.
Sandra: How come we always end up laughing whenever we see each other?
Takeshi: *LAUGHS*

I hope y’all enjoyed this interview series because I sure enjoyed translating it. Takeshi is humble despite his popularity. He’s actually more like guy next door type if you think about it. He’s not snobbish or expecting people to go out of their way to serve him. It’s refreshing to see that. In addition, he is friendly and has good sense of humor. It’s hard to believe that he’s actually perceived as an aloof person! How about you, his fans, what did you think of Takeshi after this interview? Tell us!

*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com

For previous part, click HERE.

After you read every word of this interview, you will find out what kind of gift Takeshi would really appreciate being as popular as he is. You’ll also find out how he makes new friends , how he deals with paparazzi and even where he lives! So read on and subscribe to this blog to keep finding out more about Takeshi!

Sandra: Well, towards me he hasn’t expressed anything (shown any feelings)..*laughs… of course it’s normal that he doesn’t show any to me! *laughs Why do I say he is very straightforward? He eats simple. Like when we went out of town to visit him filming in (in He Bei, China), that setting was a mess. Well, Takeshi loves eating by the street [called “Da Bin Lou” in Cantonese]. He said “Da Bin Lou is okay..it’s good”. Well I’m most scared of getting stomach ache. So Takeshi was lapping up this thing that tasted so bad.

Takeshi:*laughs I remember. Then you were afraid of eating it. You were so afraid of hurting your stomach later! Then (Director) Peter says “Eat it… it’s no big deal.”
Sandra:Easy for you guys to say! I’ve never eaten that stuff before, it will mess me up later! *laughs
Takeshi:Then later we were fine, and Director Chen Ke Xin had diarrhea! *laughs
Sandra:So you can see how he doesn’t expect much from his food. For some reason, he always ask for room service when in hotel. And you know room service of every hotel in this world sucks! I remember in a Shanghai hotel, everyone was eating room service food. I saw Takeshi..let me tell you.. I don’t trust your taste with food at all! *laughs You were eating it was like it’s so delicious.. The next day I orded…Waah!! It taste soo bad!
Takeshi: Well you have no choice. After you get off the plane, then it’s hotel..and it looks like you won’t have a lot of time to eat a meal. What can we do? We are not familar with the places there. If you want to eat out, you need a car and it’s like you are going to trouble a lot of people to help you…
Sandra:That’s why anywhere you take Takeshi to eat, he’ll say “it’s good. it’s good!” It could be he had too much of those room service that anything else is very delicious in comparison!

Sandra: Okay, now we talk about his dressing. We know a fashion stylists dresses him in Japanese style fashion. but on his own he just wears this simple pair of pants, with this same old sneakers
Takeshi:*laughs Right Right
Sandra: Hahaha! I notice a lot, don’t I? You seem like you only had 2 pairs of sneakers
Takeshi: Right. I only have 2 pairs that I wear outside. Same with pants. That’s because you can’t use it that much anyway!
Sandra: And then there’s these t-shirts! It’s always t-shirts!
Takeshi: *laughs I always buy the ones that are plain. Cuz they’re cheaper!
Sandra: Thrifty!

Sandra: Oh, then sometimes we would all get going after eating. But you’d see him taking a take out box with him to the hotel. I remember that several times. I was like, do you really have to be that thrifty.
Takeshi:*laughs No no. Because that time, I really just eat what’s available. And beside, it was quite delicious. In addition, during filming in outskirt of Beijing, we don’t have choices. If you don’t eat, after 2 to 3 hours ride back, you won’t find a place to eat. Even if there is, you still gotta compare who’s good…and so, you don’t have that time.
Sandra: That’s why I said..paparazzi has hard time tracking you. After filming your part, you’re gone immediately. Then you dress pretty casual with a cap…is that why you’re hard to track down?
Takeshi:True, because I do not go out much. And during the set, I’d get tired. The whole day, you spend a lot of time waiting.

Sandra:How about filming days when you only have to work one day?
Takeshi:Well, I’d go out if I have friends in the area.
Sandra:Huh? You have friends?
Takeshi: (Asianbuzz: Takeshi didn’t get the joke) Uh..like if you come and visit, then we’d go out.
Sandra:Oh, aside from me you have other friends? *laughs
Takeshi:*laughs It’s seems like I don’t…they’re all in Mars.
Sandra:Yeah you’re friends from Mars come to visit sometimes.
Takeshi: I do have friends outside the industry.
Sandra: From Japan or Taiwan?
Takeshi: both
Sandra: which kind of friends?
Takeshi:classmates, when I was in Taiwan. Then there’s friends who work behind the scenes. *laughs But really they don’t come see me often…who in the world would have time to come and visit all the time anyway! *laughs They won’t come to Beijing just to see me!
Sandra: Takeshi just needs a phone and wireless internet at the hotel and he can stay there for days.
Takeshi:Because when we go out, the crew will also be troubled. So [I] try not to bother them if I don’t have to, and try best to finish work.

Sandra:Okay..tell me this. Does it take you a long time before you become good friends some with someone and trust them with personal details…is that why there’s not many people know about you? Do you have to think clearly whether this person would not betray me?
Takeshi: Oh, this I don’t have to think too much. You can tell right rom the start. I think it’s about instinct. You’d understand this person’s personality. I think it’s because I’m introvert-type. I’m not a very sociable person, or know to discuss business with people. Maybe because of this, I don’t know how to initiate conversations with people. Like if you ask me a question that’s more likely a socializing type question, I may not know how to respond.
Sandra: Hmm…actually talking in private with you, sometimes I don’t know what topics are off limits
Takeshi:*laughs
Sandra:Ha haha… I’m not talking about myself. I say anything!
Takeshi: *laughs I know…I was thinking..hmmm..no you say a lot.
Sandra:Do you think people are afraid to approach you? Cuz before I knew you, I’d see you sitting at a corner quietly by yourself. Andy and Jet are both talkative people, while you are always by yourself. And you don’t socialize with people.
Takeshi:Maybe cuz I don’t know how to
Sandra:Have you tried before?
*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com
Takeshi: I think so. I probably have before.

Sandra:You’re mysteriousness… *Takeshi cuts her off…
Takeshi:Well, you think I’m mysterious because you’re comparing. Like you’re looking at Andy and wonder why I am not like that. If everyone’s like me.. quiet..I don’t think anyone would think I am mysterious at all *laughs (Asianbuzz: I like this dude. He’s very nice and real…not full of himself)

Sandra:Perhaps this is your personality. But for so many years people have wondered whether you live in Taiwan or in Mars. Japan or USA.
Takeshi:I do go back to Japan and Taiwan too.
Sandra:But you’ve been in mainland filming
*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com
Takeshi: Recent years…yes.
Sandra: There’s many paparazzi in Japan!
Takeshi:Quite a bit
Sandra: But you’ve managed to avoid them. Amazing really! (Asianbuzz: *laughs Sandra sounded really impressed)
Takeshi:Maybe culture is different. In Japan people are more courteous. For example, when they speak they are polite…which makes you respond the same way. They won’t force their way.
Sandra:You mean the paparazzi?
Takeshi: Regular [people] and perhaps paparazzi as well. In Japan, you know they are following you and they know that you know that they are following you…

It’s been a very busy week, which is why I got a bit delayed in finishing this part. Sorry to keep fans waiting. I was also going to try to add funny graphics with Takeshi’s face and the take out boxes…unfortunately, my graphic design skills aren’t that good yet. Enjoy!

To be continued…
*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com

To see previous interview, click HERE

Isn’t it that Takeshi has always been perceived as quiet and mysterious, or even aloof, by the media? After reading this interview, you shall discover a different Takeshi. One that is actually quite personable, funny and charming! You’ll find that his real personality is very much different from the roles he played in the epic films in recent years, which were serious, sober type characters. Read on and tell us what you think!

(Click here to read Part II of the interview and Part I)

Takeshi:Yes. I did. Actually, when I am not at work, I’m don’t shave either. *laughs (Asianbuzz: I don’t think there would be any difference, he’ll still look hot!)
Sandra: Oh yeah. I can prove that…and the mustache are sharper.
Takeshi: *laughs haha, you’ve touched it before?
Sandra: Nah…*laughs… just lightly touched it before.
Takeshi: that’s why I think, for that kind of film, that kind of set up… I kind of like it actually. Especially wearing that Qing dynasty-style hats, it was my first time. It makes me happy. In the old days, I always just see them in “jiang si” movies (Chinese classic horror films, usually they have zombies jumping around:P) with them wearing the hats. So when I wore it, I’m like, hey..let me jump with this on. *laughs (Asianbuzz: *laughs, Takeshi is quite a funny guy)
Sandra: How do you jump in those? those things are heavy!
Takeshi: Anyway I think those hats are fun. Later I asked Jet Li and he said he hasn’t wore those kinds of hats either. He said it was always the hair braids wrapped around his neck for Huang Fei Hong (”Once Upon a Time in China”) movies.
Sandra: hey, I saw those things you wear on your arms. Are they really heavy? Tell me how they felt! Describe what it reminded you of carrying. And yeah, you had to be in those for a week… running!
Takeshi: Running is still okay…yeah that part is still okay. But wearing the other costume was hard, it was so heavy. (Asianbuzz: he’s referring the costume that the character wore after he promoted to higher position/status).
Sandra: What was it like after you wear it? what happened?
Takeshi: I couldn’t move. Then you have to stand straight. Otherwise if you slouch, it will be even heavier. That’s why it was so tiring. Even if it’s not your turn [to act] yet, you’ll still be tired standing like this.

Sandra: How long does it to take off this costume?
Takeshi: five to ten minutes I guess. You can’t wear it yourself, you need other’s help.
Sandra: Man, I can’t imagine even acting after wearing such costumes!
Takeshi: *laughs That’s why no one wants to ride or get off a horse. *laughs Cuz it’s hard to get up there, and once you get off, you don’t want to get up there again *laughs…
Sandra: Well, you guys looked really good in the fight scenes even in those heavy costumes.
Takeshi: Director did a good job. And besides I only had that one fight scene [in that outfit]

Sandra: Okay, the only female character in this story is Ms. Xu Jing Lei. You’ve been in many films with her, what do you think of her? Andy Lau said before that if one’s looking for a wife, he should look for her breed…*laughs…type. Sorry, I think I can still use breed too (Asianbuzz: The joke was more on the type of terminology she used). Would you pick someone like her for a wife?
Takeshi: *laughs I don’t know. That time she was my elder sister-in-law [in the movie “Confessions of Pain” (2006)]. So I told her, “hey, you’re my sister-in-law” again. At that time the filming was in Hong Kong and the environment was a Cantonese-speaking environment. At that time, she’s the only one who cannot understand [Cantonese] that well, at that time. Then, I remembered myself when I first came to Hong Kong years ago. Wow, I had no idea what people around me where talking about!
Sandra: But your Cantonese now is not bad!
Takeshi: It’s okay. But it’s just that I seldom use it (so I lose it) and so I prefer to speak in Mandarin first. I’m sorry.
Sandra: No problem.
Takeshi:So then later, she showed me her DVDs. She said she’s done some film directing. So I thought that was impressive. Then she also mentioned wanting to work on magazines. I think she’s a person with lots of ideas and a person who has the guts to try things.
Sandra:So movie wise, this is your second time together.
Takeshi: In the film, we don’t really have that many scenes together.
Sandra: But the last scene..
Takeshi: There were more but they were cut out *laughs The last scene was more serious. Maybe it would have been better if we had more scenes showing our brother-sister relationship. But maybe because there was too much stuff that we didn’t have it.

*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com

Sandra: So you were together (with Andy and Jet) for four months filming. Did anything change? Did you turn out to dislike each other more? *chuckles or liked each otehr more?
Takeshi:I guess I understood them better. Because before I haven’t worked with them before
Sandra: Really? but you..
Takeshi: Well, in the past it was less time together. Unlike this time. I was in a movie with Jet Li years ago playing the role as his assistant. I had no fight scenes, I just watched him in fight scenes.
Sandra: Right I remember
Takeshi: Yeah. We even dressed up as women. At that time his martial arts were of course very good. But it was more commercial so there wasn’t many emotional scenes, complicated ones. Recent years, I’ve seen his accomplishment overseas…and coincidentally before filming, I just saw “Fearless”. I felt “wow, Jet Li did a really good job”. I told him he did a really good job in “Fearless”. Observing all his accomplishment abroad, from Hollywood movies to Chen Ke Xin movies, from action to romance, you can tell he practiced a whole lot. It takes many serious practicing to be able to bring out those different expressions. He’s not only very important for Chinese cinema industry, but in many charity works as well…funding and promoting…like when we were in Thailand, he was also doing promotion work. I think he’s someone who’s doing what he wants. I don’t know how to explain it better. But you would better understand where their hard work is. I think Andy Lau is the same. Why would he have many opinions. It’s probably because he’s the most experienced person in filming this type of movies.
Sandra: I think Jet Li has most experience.
Takeshi: *laughs Jet Li might even have more experience than the Director Chen. So it’s natural for him to have opinions.
Sandra: Now I get it! The inexperienced one is actually Director Chen!! (Asianbuzz: she’s crazy! *laughs) that’s probably why you have Andy, who has all this experience and opinions/idea, while Director Chen can’t really say much due to lack of experience.
Takeshi: *laughs
Sandra: did you ever witness them fighting?
Takeshi: No. I’ve seen them arguing over ideas but not fighting *laughs

*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com

Sandra: Have you ever gotten frustrated on the set and gave Director Chen the attitude? Then not show up the next day or something like that?
Takeshi: No. No. No…We’ve debated about the content of the script but not to the point that we are arguing. Because I think in the end, what he says is correct.
Sandra: Were you upset?
Takeshi: Nope. I think that is his own opinion. It’s no big deal. It’s just that I would just keep saying “I think this or that is better”. This is because we have a dream for our roles/characters, and so we would want to share it with you.
Sandra: Sometimes actors would tend to think a lot…

Sandra: hey, a lot of people say your mysterious. Paparazzi have hard time taking pictures of you…who is Takeshi’s girlfriend? no one really knows. where does he live? no one really knows *laughs are you from Mars? *laughs the earth is unsafe, go back to Mars.
Takeshi: *laughs Who said that? I’ve heard that before
Sandra: Stephen Chow
Takeshi: What do you think?
Sandra:What do I think? Well, I do know Takeshi quite well and knows where he lives. Later on, audience please look at the text below the screen for his address. You can go to www….
Takeshi: *laughs please don’t.
Sandra:*laughs well, my impression of Takeshi is that he is a very proper type of guy. Why do I say that?…hold on, you know what “sun tok” means right?
Takeshi: yes. *laughs
Sandra: If you ask me whether he is a player, I don’t would know… because he doesn’t show much expression on his face.

To be continued…
*This content was originally written by Asianbuzz and cannot be reprinted without the permission from Asian-buzz.com

Photo source: AF