# Gillian Chung

Gillian Chung Ka-lai (born Chung Tik-shan, 21 January 1981), known by her stage name Chung Yan-tung, is a Hong Kong actress and singer. She is a member of the Cantopop duo Twins, along with Charlene Choi.

## Early life

Chung was born in Hong Kong as Chung Tik-shan (鍾狄珊). Her father died when she was one year old. When she was two years old, her family believed the character Tik (狄) from her birth name to be too strong and renamed her to Chung Ka-lai (鍾嘉勵).
She initially grew up in a single parent family until her mother remarried to a man also surnamed Chung, when Chung was in high school. She was given the English name "Gillian" while in high school. Chung graduated from Kowloon True Light Middle School and briefly attended the William Angliss Institute of TAFE in Melbourne, Australia.

## Career
### Early years

In 2000, Chung was contacted by one of the model agencies she worked part-time with when she was in Hong Kong. She was offered a job opportunity by Emperor Entertainment Group (EEG), which she accepted in that year. She became a contracted artist and underwent training before making her debut. She was advised by her manager Mani Fok to adopt the "Chung Yan-tung" (鍾欣桐) as her stage name, after consulting fortune tellers. The name was supposed to enhance her business skills. On 18 May 2001, the management company assigned her to form a singing duo, Twins, with Charlene Choi. Chung and Choi released their first album three months later.

### Acting debut

Chung made her acting film début in U Man (2002). She appeared in a number of films such as Beyond Our Ken (2004), which earned her critical acclaim as well as a nomination for Best Actress in the Golden Bauhinia Awards. In Beyond Our Ken, Chung played Chan Wai-ching, a spurned girlfriend of the eponymous Ken. The film had its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival and grossed HK$3,886,355 at the box office.
In January 2006, the film 49 Days that Chung starred in had exceeded the HK$10 million (US$1.28 million) mark, earning a spot in one of Hong Kong's best box office films for that year.

### Return to film industry

After withdrawing from public for more than a year following the Edison Chen photo scandal incident and later confessed to having contemplated suicide, Chung apologised for hurting those around her, especially her long-time bandmate Charlene Choi. During the hiatus, she took classes in many areas, such as kung fu (Wing Chun), gymnastics, singing, dancing and acting, which she hoped would serve her professionally. In March 2009 she discussed the scandal on an episode of Be My Guest, which garnered 679 public complaints for the show. Afterwards she returned to work as spokesperson for TOUGH Jeansmith in the Asia region with a seven-figure pay-check. She flew to Taiwan, Shanghai, and other places for promotion. In July 2009, it was disclosed that she would get a 7-figure sum for the endorsement of botox treatment clinic Dr. Pro. Chung also appeared on stage in an adaptation of Neil Simon's I Ought to Be in Pictures, produced by Emperor Concerts, part of EEG, for a budget of HK$2 million.

### Silent expression art

On 13 September 2009, Chung showcased an emotional performance art video at the Harbin Ice Snow World carnival singing competition. The silent video, previously filmed in Hong Kong, was shown at the fair lasting 8 minutes and 43 seconds. The video showed Chung switching from laughing to crying. This attraction drew hundreds of visitors each day. Many audiences thought that Chung used the art expression to reveal her apologetic attitude. However the video was only meant to show how attitudes are expressed through art, according to artist and video creator Jiang Zhi.

### Debut solo album

On 27 March 2010, Chung released her début solo EP, which was sold as part of the package of Twins' fourth compilation album Everyone Bounce (人人彈起). The EP includes six songs, including début solo single More Hearts (心多) that was released a year prior to the album release.

### Sisters Who Make Waves

On 5 August 2022, Chung debuted at 5th place for the third season of Sisters Who Make Waves which premiered on 20 May 2022, on Mango TV. Chung decided to join the competition with her long time bandmate Charlene Choi and compete against other 28 female artistes with diverse talents. At the same time, Chung aimed to lose weight and retuning her mindset. Due to 4 months of rigorous dance rehearsals and sheer willpower, Chung succeeded in shedding 20 pounds at the end of the competition.

## Personal life
### 2006 invasion of privacy incident

In 2006 during a concert in Genting Highlands, Malaysia, a reporter surreptitiously photographed Chung nude in the changing room. On 22 August 2006, Hong Kong tabloid magazine Easy Finder published the photos as a cover story. Hong Kong celebrities such as Jackie Chan and Andy Lau staged a public protest denouncing the magazine. The Obscene Articles Tribunal classified the published photographs as "indecent". On 1 November, Easy Finder lost its appeal against the obscenity ruling, with the appeal panel declaring the article as a "calculated act of selling sexuality which is corrupting and revolting". Jimmy Lai, founder of Easy Finder's publisher Next Media, apologized to Chung and offered to return all the negatives.

### 2008 photo scandal

In January and February 2008, sexually explicit photos of Edison Chen with a number of Hong Kong female celebrities were leaked online. The scandal involved Chung, as well as Bobo Chan and Cecilia Cheung, amongst others. The pictures tarnished Chung's "squeaky-clean image", and she apologized to the public for being naive and silly. Her subsequent television appearance on Jade Solid Gold triggered over 500 complaints to TVB, while the Hong Kong Broadcasting Authority received over 1200. Other promotion events were cancelled.
Chung was dropped from performing in the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony by director Zhang Yimou. She was originally set to appear in Chen Kaige's film Forever Enthralled and Oliver Stone's W., but her scenes were left on the cutting room floor.

### Marriage

In July 2017, Chung met Michael Lai, a Taiwanese gynecologist, while filming Tree in the River in Taiwan and they were in a relationship in October. On 1 February 2018, Chung announced her engagement with Lai on Instagram, with a photo of a diamond ring given by her fiancé. The pair held a wedding ceremony in Los Angeles on 26 May, and one in Hong Kong on 20 December. The couple separated in March 2020.

## Discography

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2010 | Everyone Bounce | Cantonese EP |
| 2010 | Move On... | Cantonese EP |
| 2013 | Vernicia Flower | Mandarin album |
| 2014 | Wholly Love | Mandarin Album |
| 2022 | Two Faced | "Forensic JD" Drama Ending Theme |

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | English title | Original title | Role | Notes |
| 2002 | U Man | 怪獸學園 | Candy Tong So-sum / Piggy | |
| 2002 | Summer Breeze of Love | 這個夏天有異性 | Kammy Chung Lai-san | |
| 2002 | If U Care.. | 賤精先生 | Gillian / Kiu | |
| 2002 | Just One Look | 一碌蔗 | Decimator / Ghost girl | |
| 2003 | Happy Go Lucky | 低一點的天空 | Snow White / Snowie | |
| 2003 | Colour of the Truth | 黑白森林 | Katie Wong | |
| 2003 | The Twins Effect | 千機變 | Gypsy | |
| 2003 | The Spy Dad | 絕種鐵金剛 | Cream | |
| 2003 | The Death Curse | 古宅心慌慌 | Linda Ting | |
| 2004 | Fantasia | 鬼馬狂想曲 | Chopstick Sister | |
| 2004 | Protege de la Rose Noire | 見習黑玫瑰 | Gillian Lu | |
| 2004 | Love on the Rocks | 戀情告急 | Mandy | |
| 2004 | Moving Targets | 新紮師兄2004 | Wing | |
| 2004 | The Twins Effect II | 千機變II之花都大戰 | Blue Bird | |
| 2004 | Beyond Our Ken | 公主復仇記 | Chan Wai-ching | |
| 2004 | 6 AM | 大無謂 | Herself | |
| 2005 | House of Fury | 精武家庭 | Natalie Yue | |
| 2005 | Bug Me Not! | 蟲不知 | Auntie | |
| 2006 | 49 Days | 犀照 | Lam Siu-chin | |
| 2007 | Twins Mission | 雙子神偷 | Pearl | Alternate title Let's Steal Together |
| 2007 | Naraka 19 | 地獄第19層 | Rain | |
| 2007 | Trivial Matters | 破事兒 | Cheng Sze-wai | |
| 2008 | Forever Enthralled | 梅蘭芳 | Fu Zhifang | Scenes deleted |
| 2008 | W. | 小布希傳 | Belly dancer | Scenes deleted |
| 2010 | Just Another Pandora's Box | 越光寶盒 | Sun Shangxiang | |
| 2010 | Ex | 前度 | Yee | |
| 2010 | The Fantastic Water Babes | 出水芙蓉 | Gillian Law Kiu | |
| 2010 | Super Player | 大玩家 | Beauty | |
| 2011 | Nightmare | 午夜凶夢 | Angela | |
| 2013 | Love Retake | 愛情不NG | Nina Su | |
| 2013 | Ip Man: The Final Fight | 葉問：終極一戰 | Chan Sei-mui | |
| 2013 | The Midas Touch | 超級經理人 | Chinese-Korean police officer | Cameo |
| 2013 | The Fox Lover | 白狐 | Xiao Cui | Alternate title Bai Hu |
| 2014 | Who is Undercover | 王牌 | Su Jie | |
| 2015 | The Spirit of the Swords | 情劍 | Zhu Er | |
| 2016 | I Love That Crazy Little Thing | 那件瘋狂的小事叫愛情 | Princess Loulan | Cameo |
| 2016 | A Chinese Odyssey Part Three | 大話西遊3 | Spring Thirteen Mother | |
| 2016 | The Wasted Times | 羅曼蒂克消亡史 | Xiao Wu | |
| 2017 | Soccer Killer | 仙球大戰 | Princess Changping | |
| 2017 | 77 Heartbreaks | 原諒他77次 | Heartbeat | Cameo |
| 2017 | The House That Never Dies II | 京城81號2 | Ji Jincui | |
| 2019 | Missing | 失蹤 | Ying | |
| 2019 | Prison Flowers | 女子监狱 | | |
| 2021 | The First Myth: Daji | 封神妲己 | Daji | |
| 2022 | Green Snake: The Fate of Reunion | 青蛇: 前缘 | Green Snake | |

### Television

| Year | English title | Original title | Role | Network | Notes |
| 2001 | The Monkey King: Quest for the Sutra | 齊天大聖孫悟空 | Purple Rose | TVB | |
| 2003 | All About Boy'z | 一起喝采 | Tina | now.com.hk | Appearance in episode 5, 9 & 10 |
| 2003 | Triumph in the Skies | 衝上雲霄 | Gillian | TVB | Appearance in episode 6 |
| 2003 | | 2半3更之困車立 | Kiu | now.com.hk | |
| 2004 | Kung Fu Soccer | 功夫足球 | Kiu | TVB | Guest star |
| 2004 | Sunshine Heartbeat | 赤沙印記@四葉草.2 | Dancer | TVB | Guest star |
| 2004 | | 家有寶貝 | Kiu | | |
| 2004 | | 上海灘之俠醫傳奇 | Female assassin | | |
| 2006 | Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain | 雪山飛狐 | Cheng Lingsu | ATV | |
| 2006 | Project A | A計劃 / 盜海奇兵 | Mandy | ATV | |
| 2007 | The Spirit of the Sword | 浣花洗劍錄 | Zhu'er | ATV | |
| 2011 | The Holy Pearl | 女媧傳說之靈珠 | Baixi Xianyue / Ding Yao | ZJSTV | |
| 2011 | Da Tang Nü Xun An | 大唐女巡按 | Xie Yaohuan | Dragon TV | |
| 2011 | Secret History of Empress Wu | 武則天秘史 | Shangguan Wan'er | Hunan TV | |
| 2012 | The Happy Marshal | 春光灿烂之欢乐元帅 | Tian Mao Nu / Xian Zi (Fairy) / Qiao Miao | GZTV | |
| 2013 | Wheel of Fortune | 財神有道 | Eighth Princess | CCTV | |
| 2014 | Swords of Legends | 古劍奇譚 | Princess Xunfang | HunanTV | |
| 2015 | Extremely Urgent | 迫在眉睫 | Grace Chen Mo | CCTV | Alternate title: Guardians of Ancient Magic 护宝联盟 |
| 2018 | Tree in the River | 动物系恋人啊 | Chu Zhi He | Sohu TV | |
| 2022 | Twins Flower Shop | 双生花店 | Gillian & Charlene | | Short Series (都市短剧) |
| 2022 | Forensic JD | 女法医JD | Lin Xiao Mei / Wei Zi Ling / Miao Zi Ling | WeTV / iQiyi / myTV SUPER | Twins 20th anniversary 12 EP reunion drama |

### Variety Shows & Other Shows

| Year | English title | Original title | Network | Notes |
| 2016 | | 饭局的诱惑 | Tencent Video | Appearance in episode 6 |
| 2017 | | 心路 | Tencent Video | Guest star (Twins) |
| 2017 | | 熟悉的味道2 | Zhejiang TV | Appearance in episode 9 |
| 2017 | If You Can Talk | 冒犯家族 | iQIYI | Appearance in episode 7 |
| 2019 | | 鲁豫有约一日行第9季 | NengLiang Media | Guest star (Twins) |
| 2019 | Everybody Stand By (Season 1) | 演员请就位第一季 | Tencent Video | Appearance in episode 1,4-8 |
| 2020 | | 举杯呵呵喝 第二季 | YOUKU | Appearance in episode 7 |
| 2021 | | 因为是朋友呀 | Douyin | Appearance in episode 1-12 (Twins + Joey Yung) |
| 2021 | Twinkle Love | 怦然心动20岁 | Jiangsu TV | Appearance in episode 1-10 |
| 2021 | Perfect Summer S2 | 完美的夏天2 | Dragon TV | Appearance in episode 5-7 (Twins) |
| 2022 | Sweet Tasks 2022 | 甜蜜的任务 2022 | Mango TV | Guest star (Twins) |
| 2022 | Hello Saturday | 你好，星期六 | Mango TV | Guest star (Twins) |
| 2022 | | 朋友请听好2 | Mango TV | Appearance in episode 4 |
| 2022 | Sisters Who Make Waves (Season 3) | 乘风破浪3 | Mango TV | Debuted 5th Place |
| 2022 | | 90婚介所2022 | Bilibili | Guest star (见证官) |
| 2022 | | 百川可逗鎮 | Douyin | Guest star (Twins) |
| 2022 | Promise For You | 星星的约定 | Mango TV | EP1 released. Off air till further notice |
| TBA | | 美好在出发 | Dragon TV | |
| 2022 - 2023 | Meet Rosy Clouds | 与彩云相遇 | Yunnan Int. Channel | Show title renamed from 'Promise For You' |
| 2022 - 2023 | Hunan Satellite TV's 2022 - 2023 New Year's Eve Concert | 湖南卫视2022-2023跨年晚会 | Hunan & Mango TV | 2 Performances (Twins + First Day) |