#fandans

yeah he looks like the kinda guy whod be like that!

As the older fadans leave TVB, I realize how much time has passed since they started out. I remember sitting in my middle school class arguing with a classmate on who was better: Tavia Yeung or Leila Tong (during the hype of Twins of Brothers). Within a couple of years, Tavia Yeung had risen to the top as a fadans, along with Myolie Wu, Linda Chung, Fala Chen and Kate Tsui. Last year, we saw a lot of change happening in TVB as many actors and actresses left. With the departure of Fala Chen, Myolie Wu and Kate Tsui, the upcoming series in 2016 will feature a huge wave of new generation actors and actresses. In 2015, they took over a fair share of dramas but now it will be literally unavoidable. The only older fandans left are Tavia Yeung (rumored to leave TVB) and Linda Chung holding down the fort but TVB seems to be pushing the two aside to make room for the younger generation…

Grace Chan – There’s no doubt that TVB is promoting the 2013 Miss Hong Kong winner. She graced (no pun intended) our screens in 2014 with The Overachievers. Though a supporting character, her screen time and story line was still pretty heavy. She was able to lead the follow year in Raising the Bar and Captain of Destiny. Grace was heavily criticized for her acting in Captain of Destiny but that did not seem to faze her. Her popularity shot up even more when it was discovered that she and Kevin Cheng (co-star of Blue Veins, upcoming drama) are dating, despite the huge age gap. She snagged the 2015 Most Improved Actress Award (even though there was no improvement at all from Raising the Bar to Captain of Destiny). Grace will also be leading in Brother’s Keeper 2, opposite of Edwin Siu. With the audience criticizing her over the top acting in Captain of Destiny, will TVB will be inclined to boost her status in the future?

Sisley Choi –We first saw Sisley in Officer Geomancer and The Overachievers in 2014. Her performance was mediocre and did not leave much of an impression on the viewers. She was able to nab a lead role opposite of Him Law in 2015’s Young Charioteers (one of the most annoying characters and acting I have seen in recent years...). 2016 seems to be her year with 2 upcoming dramas (Peculiar Taste and Accident, lead) and one drama currently airing (The Speed of Life, supporting). Film actor Anthony Wong even praised her character and acting in interviews so will that help Sisley achieve to the top fandan status?

Rosina Lam – Rosina has been in TVB for a number of years and have participated in numerous series as supporting characters. With Raymond Lam as her cousin and her huge improvement over the years, her popularity is steadily rising. As one of the older actresses among the crowd, Rosina has to compete with the rest of the younger beauty pageants winners. In 2015′s Momentary Lapse of Reason, many praised her acting in the role. Will we see Rosina lead a series or will she be forever stuck in the supporting roles?

Eliza Sam – Eliza’s first series, Divas in Distress, was a breakthrough for her in the acting realm. Many viewers took a liking to her cute and bubbly personality (on and off screen). Since then everyone has called her Heung Heung Princess. Throughout the short time span in TVB, Eliza took on many supporting roles with the exception Coffee Cat Mama and Angel in the Making (lead roles). Her acting is consistent and her Cantonese is improving with each series.  Will her bubbly personality triumph and make her the top fandan of her generation?

Tracy Chu – In Tracy’s first drama, she was paired up with veteran actor Lawrence Ng. Many wondered if she would do well while others already placed bets that she would be horrible in the series. Tracy’s performance in The Hippocratic Crush II surprised many viewers as her acting was terrible but bearable and decent. Her career in TVB has only been in supporting roles but changes are a-coming. Her first lead role in EU: Time Travel Mission (there’s needs to be another name for this…), will hopefully air this year. She was nominated in 2015 for move improved actress but sadly lost to Grace Chan. Tracy has taken some time off to take classes at HKU. Will this hinder her chance in gaining more lead roles in TVB or will her acting win everyone over?

Moon Lau – I think she’s more fitting as a supporting or even second lead. She did well in Raising the Bar but her performance paled in comparison to her co-stars. Although she lacked screen time in Angel in the Making, she did much better (definitely some improvement there). Her upcoming series, A Fist Within Four Walls, pairs her up with film star and martial artist, Philip Ng. Moon has potential but for now, she needs improvement in the secondary roles.

Ali Lee – With her breakout performance in The Overachievers, Ali became popular overnight. From i-Cable news, Ali has followed in Priscilla  Wong and Tony Hung’s footsteps, switching over to acting from news reporting. Many viewers are speculating if Ali has what it takes to lead the fandan line. Popular with the viewers, TVB seizes the opportunity to push her as lead --- casting her as one of the leads in The Legal Stronghold, opposite Alex Fong Chun Sun.

Mandy Wong – From supporting to secondary lead to lead, Mandy has taken upon various roles in a wide variety of dramas. Some say she is following in her good sister, Myolie Wu’s footsteps. Coming from the Miss Hong Kong pageant, Mandy started her career as a supporting actress before earning her first lead role last year in The Fixer. Mandy continues to steadily rise up with her leading and supporting roles.

Priscilla Wong – Kicking off her career in the acting industry, Priscilla was given lead roles after lead roles which led to a puzzlement from the viewers. Some were quick to criticize her relationship with TVB’s executive. All in all, Priscilla was able to snatch lead roles in second rated dramas such as Karma Rider and Reality Check.  She was given her first supporting role in Return of the Silver Tongue but eventually got to lead again in Swipe Tap Love and Madam Cutie on Duty. After filming Madam Cutie on Duty, rumors surfaced about her relationship with Edwin Siu. Their “loving couple” image continues to grow strong. When Love Come Home finished late 2015, Louis Cheung and Priscilla were cast as leads in the continuing sitcom but that caused a lot of ruckus in the community. Many criticized their storyline as boring and draggy which ultimately ended their career in the sitcom. Currently, Priscilla has a couple of projects on hand which include a series with her beau, Edwin.

More to come: Stephanie Ho, Samantha Ko, Jeannie Chan, Jinny Ng and the upcoming actors