Hera Chan, a burgeoning star in Hong Kong’s television landscape, is strategically shifting her career trajectory by tackling complex, morally ambiguous roles in two high-profile TVB dramas, The Infinite Forest and the anticipated sequel, The Queen of News 2. This bold move challenges her previous on-screen persona, signaling a concerted effort to establish herself as a serious, versatile actress capable of commanding heavyweight dramas and vying for top industry accolades.
The actress’s evolution is immediately apparent in The Infinite Forest, where she portrays a character ensnared in a devastating family feud and a controversial generational romance. Initially a sympathetic figure who endures immense loss and misunderstanding, her character gradually descends into darkness, allowing Chan to showcase substantial dramatic range.
This transition prepared her for the subsequent role in The Queen of News 2, where she reprises the character of former journalist Tong Chi-yu, who now weaponizes social media as an influential, yet malicious, influencer. Motivated by a desire for online notoriety and a burning vendetta against her former manager, Man Wai-sum (played by Charmaine Sheh), Tong relentlessly orchestrates online attacks and smear campaigns. This adversarial pivot makes her the drama’s principal antagonist, famously renaming Man Wai-sum “Mean Sister” in a clear act of calculated psychological sabotage.
Chan admitted that initially grappling with the motivations driving the character’s extreme actions proved challenging. To understand Tong, Chan dove into the psyche of someone driven by intense resentment and a paradoxical longing for recognition. She theorized that sometimes, the intensity of one’s hatred toward a person or situation might subconsciously stem from a deep-seated aspiration or admiration for what they represent.
“This influencer character is both wretched and contradictory,” Chan explained, reflecting on the role. “She openly attacks others merely to survive in the ruthless pursuit of click-through rates and ‘traffic passwords,’ all because she cannot let go of her fixations.”
Portraying such a polarizing figure provided Chan with profound introspection, prompting her to consider the emotional toll on individuals in the real world who consistently engage in hateful rhetoric and online attacks. “I wonder if those who constantly use disdain and contempt to blindly attack others are not also exhausting themselves,” she mused.
Chan recalled her early professional experiences encountering harsh online criticism regarding her appearance and verbal delivery. While recognizing that one’s physical appearance is immutable, she found critiques of her acting ability invaluable, serving as a constant reminder to strive for improvement. Now nearing 31, Chan approaches public scrutiny with a calmer maturity, accepting constructive feedback while dismissing unfounded negativity to protect her mental well-being.
The opportunity to play a villain in The Queen of News 2 marks a refreshing change of pace and a significant challenge. Chan embraces potential public condemnation, seeing “audience reaction” as a validation of her efforts. She views playing an antagonist as serving an important purpose, providing a meaningful dramatic contrast within the narrative.
Observing contemporary social media trends, Chan noted the transient nature of fame built on sensationalism and controversy. She emphasized that genuine, sustained success comes from dedicated hard work and public recognition, not from manufactured drama or sensationalized gossip.
Maintaining a clear boundary between her professional endeavors and personal life is paramount for Chan. She deliberately keeps details of her romantic relationships private to avoid the common industry pitfall of leveraging speculation for publicity. This commitment to discretion not only preserves her professional image but also appears to stifle rumors around her.
“I don’t want to be mistakenly using gossip to promote myself,” Chan asserted. “I prefer focusing on working diligently. Perhaps this reputation for keeping silent is why others rarely initiate rumors about me—maybe I’m the legendary ‘gossip terminator.’ This principle applies not just to entertainment, but to any workplace: exercising caution with what you say is essential to avoiding unnecessary conflict.”
