Reason Why Dicky Cheung Chose To Go Bald for 22 Years

Dicky Cheung has been bald for most of his career which started when he joined a singing competition to enter showbiz 34 years ago. He recently talked about the reason for his unchanging look in the past 22 years. Dicky Cheung is best remembered for his brilliant portrayal of Son Goku in the 1996 TV series Journey To The West.  

Dicky Cheung in the 1996 TV series Journey to the West

When he was starting out though, he struggled for many years working as a low paid actor and singer. Dicky Cheung had a full head of hair when he first signed with TVB. He played supporting roles in some of the most classic Hong Kong movies and starred alongside the likes of Jacky Cheung, Aaron Kwok and Andy Lau. 

Dicky Cheung in the 1993 film Future Cops

However, it was only when Journey to The West came out in 1996 and Dicky Cheung played the titular Monkey King that his career catapulted to new heights of stardom.  Both his popularity and marketability rose dramatically.  Shockingly, it was also at this time that Dicky Cheung chose to leave TVB. 

Recently, Dicky Cheung opened up about his reason for leaving TVB.  He revealed that it was partly because of one of the producers at TVB. The producer in question happened to mention something that rubbed Dicky the wrong way. "You have no value without hair (implying that he can only play Monkey King)."  

It turns out the producer wanted Dicky Cheung to play a part in an upcoming movie. Dicky recalled what happened at the time saying the producer had asked him to meet up in a local coffee shop to discuss the details. "The character does not need to be memorable. Some actors can do this for a cheaper price."  Dicky Cheung says, "It was really hurtful. It killed a young man who was trying so hard to make it." Dicky started to doubt his own value because of what the producer said.

Dicky Cheung however refused to name the producer, saying it was best to forgive and forget.  Because of what the producer said at the time, Dicky Cheung has opted to remain bald while proving himself with his acting skills. This month, he has come full circle as his new drama The Learning Curve of a Warlord airs on TVB. 

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The Learning Curve of a Warlord (2018)

The Learning Curve of a Warlord 大帅哥 is a 30-episode Hong Kong drama that stars Dicky Cheung as Di Qi. He starts out no different from a ruthless warlord, a man who only cares for himself but eventually transforms into a great general. The last Dicky Cheung drama that I saw was probably Monkey King. Looking back, many of his dramas made my childhood and perhaps the most iconic one is his portrayal of Wei Xiaobao in The Duke of Mount Deer. 

The main protagonist which is described as not bad, not good and a bit cowardly is sounding a lot like Wei Xiaobao to me, or at least I'm hoping that it's similar in some ways because the exaggeratedly cartoonish vibes can either work really well or fail terribly. This is Dicky Cheung's comeback to TVB after 20 years and it's quite certain to bring some of his trademark comedy. 

Filming was completed since 2017, yet the drama's been endlessly delayed (and they announce the next day). On a side note, for a man in his fifties, Dicky Cheung has not aged. The series also stars Sisley Choi, Tony Hung and Raymond Cho. 

Release Date: December 3, 2018 TVB Youku (Monday to Friday 9:30pm)

Vote for your favorite Chinese dramas in 2018. 

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