Cover Christopher, an optimist, enjoys challenges and prefers to enjoy and immerse himself in the process instead of harping on the outcome. Frederick, on the other hand, is cautiously optimistic and afraid of becoming too laidback. (Photo: Chuan Chou)
Christopher, an optimist, enjoys challenges and prefers to enjoy and immerse himself in the process instead of harping on the outcome. Frederick, on the other hand, is cautiously optimistic and afraid of becoming too laidback. (Photo: Chuan Chou)
1 / 1
A series of quickfire questions with Malaysian-born actors Christopher and Frederick Lee on their acting challenges, career lows and their interpretation of love
Brothers and fellow actors Christopher and Frederick Lee have made their mark on screens big and small, in their native Malaysia as well as Singapore, China and Taiwan. For the first time in their acting careers, they will be going up against each other at the upcoming Golden Bell Awards in October as they contend for top honours—best leading actor in a miniseries or television film. Before the brothers duke it out for the top acting accolade, Tatler sat them down together and asked them to share their thoughts on some of the most important aspects of their relationship and their life.
READ MORE: Showbiz brothers Christopher and Frederick Lee on the ties that bind
On acting
Christopher: Acting is like living, and you live as you breathe. Each breath comes from different characters with different personalities; and we live them out.
Frederick: Acting is about showcasing your life experience—and it is a kind of life. You may not be familiar with the world your character resides in, but the laws of human nature will never change.
On brotherhood
Christopher: There’s no such thing as a predetermined right to behave in a certain manner; nor does an older brother have the authority to command his younger brother to listen to him. Everyone is living their own life—just because you are living your life a particular way doesn’t give you the right to criticise or control others. You don’t know what they are dealing with. The same applies to family members. Do not emotionally blackmail them—not even under the pretext of doing it ‘‘for their own good”. Learn to respect everyone, because if you get on well, you will gain a brother, and if you don’t, you’re just blood relatives.
Frederick: I often tell people who lose their temper that they have to be responsible for your actions because no one owes you anything—not even your family. My family is my rockand my safe harbour. Whenever I run into problems, I just need to see my brother and my heart calms down. Even if I don’t share my problems with him, I feel at peace knowing [I can] rely on him and my family—although not [at the expense of] holding them hostage emotionally.
Above While Christopher and Frederick may not be physically affectionate, their mutual respect is clear. (Photo: Chuan Chou)
While Christopher and Frederick may not be physically affectionate, their mutual respect is clear. (Photo: Chuan Chou)
1 / 1
On the lowest point of their career
Christopher: It was a process and a chance for me to feel and think even more deeply–and learn from it.
Frederick: [Career lows are] a test to see if you have the ability to emerge even stronger from it. But getting stronger doesn’t happen in one go; it’s built up over time.
On challenges
Christopher: Challenges excite me. I like to try things I am not familiar with, roles that I am not familiar with because that gives me stress. I get through pressure easily—just give me two beers.
Frederick: Challenges are like elevators, which can bring you to the next level. Comfort leads to complacency but challenges can push you to the next stage and provide you with more chances. There will be calm after each challenge is over.
On love of all kinds
Christopher: The idea of cherishing something feels a little dreamy, just like love. [If] you don’t show it or act on it and merely pay lip service, then I’d rather you not talk about it. Talk is cheap; it’s just sweet nothings.
Frederick: I have discovered that a person’s growth is related to [knowing how to] love and cherish. A person may not know how to cherish [what they have now] but it doesn’t mean that they won’t know how to cherish it in the future, because they are still growing. Everyone learns at their own pace and matures at different times. The act of learning to love and cherish happens at different stages for everyone.
Above Christopher Lee and Frederick Lee while filming Ojisan on the Road. (Photo: Taiwan Public Television Service)
Christopher Lee and Frederick Lee while filming Ojisan on the Road. (Photo: Taiwan Public Television Service)
1 / 1
On mid-life crisis
Christopher: Frankly speaking, when I first entered middle age, I was a little scared, because your physiological responses and physical fitness indicate that some things are changing. Things that you used to do easily are now more difficult; you will feel anxious initially, or even angry, and wonder why this is happening, but you’ll gradually come to terms with being middle-aged, going through a midlife crisis. Accept it, face it and [learn to] coexist with it because, if you continue to be fearful, it will lead to depression, and if continue to live in fear, your life will change.
On crisis
Frederick: Crisis creates opportunity; avoiding crises might prevent chances you wouldn’t otherwise encounter. It’s like gaming, you will definitely come face to face with the Big Boss before you reach the next level.
On optimism
Christopher: I’ve been through a lot of changes in my life, from where I’ve lived to what I’ve earned, but I’ve never changed my character. That remains unaltered.
I am really quite positive and happy-go-lucky. I love being in the present, I love living in the now and having my characters also live in the present. Every scene I’m in will happen how it happens; I do not like to pre-determine how the lines should be read or how I should move around. What if I forget my lines? I’ll get over it—that’s normal. What if I get nervous? That’s normal too; anxiety is an emotion we all feel as humans, but everyone must find their own ways to deal with it.
Frederick: I’m an optimistic person too, but I am cautiously optimistic, as I also juggle concerns. I fear losing everything I have today—it did not come easy. I don’t want to lose any of it: things that I did not cherish in the past, chances I’ll never get, things that I really desire, the ability to attain the impossible. I am optimistic but at the same time I am afraid of being too laidback.
This story was originally written in Chinese by Ariel Hsu and published on August 21 2024. Ariel Hsu於 2024 年8月21日發表本文，請按此瀏覽中文版本。
NOW READ:
The two faces of Nigel Ng: Who is the man behind the character?
From busker to pop star: MC Cheung is the “bad boy” singer making waves in Canto-pop
LA Confidential: Crazy Rich Asians’ acclaimed author Kevin Kwan’s top places to visit in Los Angeles
Credits
Photography: Chuan Chou
Styling: Yvonne Tsai
Make-Up: Chien Wei Wen@Pretty Cool Studio
Accessories: Eason Wu (Stylist_Fuism_Hair)
