Joint Interview with Ada Choi & Adrian Kwan (November 2003)
Still drafting something about Lok Lok. What to say when a five-year-old dies? In the meantime, here’s something to keep you occupied.
This is a transcript of a November 2003 interview with Ada Choi mainly, but with some Adrian Kwan thrown in. The interview was conducted for The Media Evangelism, Ltd.’s five-part series From Stars to Rainbows, which focuses on various Hong Kong personalities who happen to be Christian. This interview was Part Three.
There are three sources for the following transcript: (1) the program’s own English subtitles (terse, abbreviated, and of questionable accuracy); (2) an English translation made by “Angela” for the old adacache.com website (much more wordy and expansive than ME’s translation, perhaps too much so, but spot on in capturing Ada Choi’s effusive tone - if you read it really fast, you’ll get a sense of Ms. Choi’s conversational tempo); and (3) my own select re-translations of certain sections, hopefully for accuracy’s sake.
VOICEOVER
Ada Choi participated in the ‘91 Miss Hong Kong Pageant, was named the 2nd runner-up, and started her career in entertainment. In 1998, with her acting talent and perseverence, she won the Best TV Actress Award and became recognized in the entertainment industry.
Adrian Kwan is a director of gospel movies including Sometimes Miracles Do Happen and Life is a Miracle. He is a nominee for the 2003 Hong Kong Film Award for Best New Director.
The two have different backgrounds, but possess a similar wish…
ADA CHOI
I was praying to God and said to Him, “This year I have earned quite a bit of money, Lord Jesus. It is time to do something for You.”
ADRIAN KWAN
I hope God will use me until I die. I think it is a blessing to be used by Him.
VOICEOVER
They are both touched by the sacrificial spirit of Dr. Joanna Tse during the SARS crisis and are willing to work on the upcoming gospel movie [The Miracle Box].
The Wong: Sometimes Miracles Do Happen, Life is a Miracle, and The Miracle Box - all directed by Adrian Kwan. Hmm, do you see a trend?
Sometimes Life is a Box of Miracles… The Canton Heavenly (God)Father… Mr. Canton & Lady Madonna…
Bizarre.
ADRIAN KWAN
I remember a few months ago, while I was helping write a screenplay, I saw a funeral on television. They played a Christian song there called Covenant Under the Rainbow. I prayed to God, “God, what power prompted the television media to broadcast Your song for a Christian?”
I said to God, “God, Tse’s story is beautiful.” Then I prayed and asked, “God, is it possible to turn her story into a gospel movie?” Because I don’t know how to write, act, sing, or do anything else - I only have a little bit of skill in directing - I asked God, “Could You use me, an ordinary person, to tell the story of another ordinary person?” It was a story about an ordinary person, but it was God who made the story extraordinary.
Then I said to God, “But a good vessel is needed to play the role [of Dr. Tse].” We then prayed, “God, who can play this role?” One day, I saw an advertisement…
(They laugh.)
…I said, “This one. She’s the one.” So now I am sitting next to you.
ON-SCREEN GRAPHIC
What is Ada’s view on this?
ADA CHOI
Actually, I always say to the Lord, “I am really useless.” I wasn’t very good at studying and I am not that pretty. My family background is not as good as others. I really don’t have very much. However, I feel that God loves me a lot. To the weak, He shows His power and strength, and I am particularly weak.
When you told me about this project, I thought to myself, “Sigh! How should I do this?? This woman has won the hearts of the people of Hong Kong.” Although she was humble and didn’t boast to others about her greatness, no one could replace her radiance. So I asked myself how should I play this role, a role of someone who has shaken the hearts of Hong Kong people? So I have been under tremendous pressure even though I haven’t even seen the script. And I tell the Lord, “Sigh! I don’t know…”
However, I believe what God has told us: He only gives us burdens that we can bear. So even if I can only do a little bit, I will be able to do it.
ADRIAN KWAN
I hope that you can recall how God made an ordinary little girl like you experience a lot of tragedies in order to shine His glory through you. Apply your own experiences to the character.
ADA CHOI
I also think that there are a lot of ups and down in my life. My experience helps me to empathize with others. If you have been sick, you can really understand the patients more.
ON-SCREEN GRAPHIC
What do you want to achieve through this movie?
ADA CHOI
I hope that this movie will attract people to know more about God and to find out who He is. Everyone has unpleasant incidents in their lives: sickness in the family, your own sadness, losing your way, death. But in the midst of these difficulties, people can still rely on God and Jesus to have joy and peace, to know how to face these situations, and to love. I want them to understand this message and thus get to know God.
And I also hope God can use me just to do something for him. I am just an ordinary person and wonder how God can use me. I hope I can partner with the Lord Jesus and see Him work.
ADRIAN KWAN
I also hope that God would use me. Asking Him to use me has been my daily prayer in the last two years. I want Him to use me until my last breath because it is a blessing to be used by God.
ADA CHOI
This is definitely so! There are many times in whatever I do, like sharing the gospel, I will say to God, “Lord, I am foregoing a whole month of work for You, even turning down a [role in a ] grade-A TV drama!”
But actually at the end of the day I was the one who was blessed to be able to share the gospel. Every time when I stand on stage to give my testimony, I am reminded of how blessed I am, how much happiness I have in life. I pray with my brothers and sisters [in Christ] everyday; we gather together and share; we share our love with one another.
VOICEOVER
Ada joined the entertainment sector at a young age. Working in such a “polluted” environment for over ten years now, how does this Christian actress handle and tactfully face conflicts between work and faith?
ADA CHOI
When I was a new believer, I refused to offer incense. The wife of a director said to me, “Everyone has to offer incense. You also have to do so.” I said, “No, I am a Christian. I won’t do it.” However, she insisted. At the time, I didn’t know how to react, so I said okay, but said to the Lord when I offered the incense, “Lord, You know I don’t mean it.”
Afterwards, I burst out into tears, cried very hard, and apologized to God: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I know I have shamed Your name and what I did made You sad. Even though You know I didn’t mean it, you are still sad. I’m sorry.”
(Laughing.)
As I walked, I kept saying, “Sorry, Lord, I will not do it again. I know You have forgiven me, but I can’t forgive myself. Please help me. I’m sorry.” I even asked the Father to comfort me! Afterwards, I vowed never to do it again.
Once, the boss of a film house said, “Ada, offer some incense. Otherwise, everyone would be in bad luck.” Then I said to him, “I will pray for you! My God will bless you all!!”
(Laughing.)
I thought I was quite gutsy to refuse him! But thank God he accepted! After that, when he hired me for another production and I was asked to offer incense, he replied for me, “No! Ada won’t offer any incense because she is a Christian!” I said, “Thank you!” I was so thankful.
It depends on whether you can take the first step. If you take the first step, God’s blessings will come. After encountering all of this, I know it’s not necessary to be afraid.
ON-SCREEN GRAPHIC
???
ADA CHOI
I was about to accept a horror movie; the price was quite attractive. I really wanted to get the job because I was in need of money at the time. I really wanted to get the job, but I was also about to be baptized. A sister said, “If you are willing to give it up for the Lord Jesus, God will reward you a hundred times more. He will not let you become a beggar.”
After I turned down the job, I lamented to the Lord, “I really wanted that job.” But suddenly my heart felt very peaceful. I don’t know how to describe it, but I just wanted to cry because it was like my heart could just let it go. I was eager to tell the Lord, “I have decided! I won’t accept the job!” After I said that, I felt very peaceful. I really wanted to cry, but was sure that I did the right thing. I didn’t know how to express the happiness. I thanked the Lord with tears. But I had nothing at the time, no one had signed me, the television network had yet to renew my contract. I had been really anxious and at a loss. Still, I felt happy to turn down that movie. I think it was really special. My brother asked me if I was crazy for crying about that. I said, “I don’t know, I just feel happy and relieved, like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.” I was so sure that this was the right decision.
[Break.]
VOICEOVER
The popularity of artists in the entertainment industry rise and fall easily. Under these circumstances, how does Ada achieve balance through her faith?
ADA CHOI
Every industry has its own problems, physical pressures, and other difficulties. The entertainment industry is only more transparent to the public, so people may feel that it is more complicated. But people are just being realistic.
For example, if you are being interviewed by the press and a more popular artist shows up, everyone runs over to him or her, and you’re like, “Huh? Where did everyone go?” You may feel embarrased. I have encoutered many similar situations. But after I believed in the Lord and began attending church, I accepted this reality. I felt that this is the nature of the world and you have to accept it. Maybe after interviewing them, they’ll interview me. And maybe when I’m being interviewed, someone else may be ignored. Why should I always expect them to come to me? It will not always happen.
Also, I have read something meaningful: “The higher you fly, the more you should know how to carefully land when you fall.” I always remind myself of this. The Bible also reminds me. A rich man wanted to tear down his barns and build bigger ones to store his grain and goods. But God said, “This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” I think what I need to do today is to live well for God and treasure my life. I also need to understand that the entertainment industry is like a roller coaster, with ups and downs. When I am playing this game, I have to respect the rules. I should accept and follow them. I understand that I will not always stay on the top. I need to know what it’ll be like when I come down, how to land safely and nicely.
ON-SCREEN GRAPHIC
In the midst of her busyness, how does Ada find her happiness?
ADA CHOI
In my line of work, sometimes I don’t even have time to sleep. I would pray at night or when I get up in the morning, I say, “Father, good morning. I am very tired,” or something like that. It’s like conversing with God twenty-four hours a day. Even when I am acting, “Lord Jesus, take my hand and guide me.” When I am asked difficult interview questions that I don’t know how to answer, “Help me.” I always pray to God.
(Laughs.)
Even now I am praying: “Lord Jesus, I don’t know how to answer, please help me.” Before this interview, I didn’t know what to say and was very scared. “Father, I give it over to you.” When I am asked difficult questions, I leave it to the Lord Jesus, and He will do the rest.
(Animated.)
Besides praying to the Lord twenty-four hours a day, every visit to church gives me the greatest support. This is something I can’t miss. Even when I am in China for work, I will find a local church. I don’t know the brothers and sisters there, but they are as close as my own brothers and sisters because they are children of God. Sometimes I cannot fully understand their Mandarin, but when I hear a hymn or a single phrase my soul is fed for the week. Perhaps I don’t feel anything at that moment and sometimes I even fall asleep, but when the pastor pronounces the benediction, I feel very warm. I also find the smiles of the brothers and sisters warm.
Like right now, I am working on a TV drama in Suzhou. I found a church in Suzhou. There was a granny who asked me, “Do you want to take communion?” I said, “Yes, yes.” She said, “Good! Let’s take it together!” I was so touched.
(Laughs.)
That granny knows the meaning of communion, even though she is illiterate and cannot read the Bible. Many elderly in China are like her, but they are truly good. They might sometimes doze off during the sermon, but they are still very lovely. I am very touched by them and the love of brothers and sisters. I am touched by every word of God. Yes. I am often so tired and lack motivation to read the Bible or sing hymns. I also go to church with my tiredness. But when I sing hymns, tears come out from my eyes. It is like washing off the dirt in my heart. The stress, pain, and all unpleasant things are being scrubbed and cleaned by Him. Going to church makes me very happy.
ON-SCREEN GRAPHIC
How do you renew your strenth?
ADA CHOI
Church life renews my energy. When I first believed, I enjoyed the company of brothers and sisters. Even now, too. We have gatherings, dinners, Bible studies, hymn singing. This happiness cannot be replaced by any award. I feel my heart is smiling. Even if you don’t read the Bible every moment, it doesn’t mean that you are not near the Lord.
(Laughs.)
When I sweep the floor or clean my home, I am praying and talking to God: “Father, I am very tired.” I can feel God is close to me. He is a living God. Even if you are not at church or reading the Bible, God is with you. Of course, you must read and obey the Bible because it is His word - His word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. So of course I should read and follow the Bible.
VOICEOVER
How does Ada treat her family?
ADA CHOI
In 1996, I said to the Lord, “I hope my family will be baptized some day. I hope that they would get to know You.” I thought that was impossible. Until 1999, I was still asking the Lord this. At the time, I was in the middle of a scandal. The media kept stirring things up while I was witnessing for Christ in Seattle. I was on stage and said I hoped that one day I could hold hands with my family to testify about God.
I didn’t know when that would happen, but now my first wish was realized. Father has His blessing on them. I will leave my second wish to the Lord. I don’t know when I will be on stage with them to share our testimony together. I leave it to God. But now my first wish has been realized. Because I really don’t know when it will happen, if it comes true, I’ll definitely cry with joyful tears. It would be very precious because it seemed impossible for them to have been converted.
VOICEOVER
The media used to tail them to find out Ada’s family affairs by all means. At present, what does Ada really want to tell us?
ADA CHOI
My family has been reported on in the entertainment news and I really don’t want to mention any more because I don’t want people to write any negative or false reports. But I must give thanks and I want to share with brothers and sisters how powerful the Father is. Actually, I learned last year… This year, a lot of problems have happened in Hong Kong and I am also very sad to hear this news. But this year, God has given me many, many gifts. It started in December with the relationship between my parents and me. Now they all believe in the Lord. They go to church, their faith is growing well. You may say that theirs is better than mine. I heard from others, including their brothers and sisters, that my parents are determined to know God.
Do you know how they treated my brothers and sisters? My parents scolded them disrespectfully. But today my parents praise God with their mouths and sing Hallelujah. They even praise God themselves, sing hymns, get to know God, or surf the internet to find related matters and buy VCDs to watch. Some I haven’t even seen yet, but they bought it already. I was very touched when I heard these things. Today I can tell you that they have even been baptized. Indeed, I think this is a miracle.
My aunt told me that they shared the gospel with her: “If even I believe in the Lord, then who cannot? Please come quickly to accept the Lord! I wish I had known God earlier. I made a lot of mistakes in the past. If I had believed in God earlier, I would be more blessed. I really regret now. But thank God, He saved me now when I am not too old.”
I am also thankful that my grandfather also accepted the Lord. It was my mother who led him.