The star-studded cast of the highly anticipated film adaptation of A Step into the Past (Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion) – Louis Koo, Jessica Hsuan, Raymond Lam, and Kevin Chu – offered a rare glimpse into their enduring chemistry and the challenges of reviving a beloved franchise during the latest episode of the popular entertainment talk show, Star of the Week, broadcast on Wednesday night.
Unearthing the Past: Hsuan’s Stance on Professionalism
While the group discussed their reunion for the film, it was the explosive anecdotes and rediscovered archival footage of Koo and Hsuan that captivated the audience. Producers aired a remarkable clip from a 1994 company event, showing a young Hsuan publicly addressing contentious issues concerning collaboration between actors and singers, notably punctuality.
In the decades-old footage, Hsuan’s articulate critique earned applause from her contemporaries, including actors Ekin Cheng and Roger Kwok. Notably, a focused Louis Koo was seen nearby, observing the discussion intently. Recalling the incident, which she referred to as her “fierce woman” moment, Hsuan humorously quipped: “I am truly grateful the company did not ban me. That is the honest truth.”
Koo interjected playfully, suggesting that “everyone is late sometimes,” only for Hsuan to stand firm: “I am not.” Koo quickly shifted to flattery, declaring, “Well, that is why you are a big sister [a veteran star]!”
Further bolstering the nostalgic segment, the show dug up video of Hsuan’s energetic participation in a 1994 music show, Weekend’s Choice, where her dynamic dance performance—complete with flying ponytail and leaping acrobatics—was a surprising highlight.
Koo’s Confessions and Muscle Reveal
The production team also astonished viewers with a clip of Koo from the 1997 Capital Artists Silver Jubilee Concert, featuring him singing “A Man Like Me.” The rare footage showed Koo stripping off, revealing a significantly muscular physique.
Hsuan reacted with visible surprise, exclaiming, “You were willing to do that?” She then shared a private detail, revealing Koo’s reluctance toward performing music in the past: “Trying to make you sing back then was like pushing you to your death.”
Koo, seizing the opportunity to change the subject, confessed to past struggles with crowd anxiety which compounded his discomfort with public singing. “When you [Hsuan] were scolding the singers, I was sitting in the back and I wanted to die. There were so many people there,” he admitted. “Don’t talk about pushing me to work; I would die whether I performed or not. I couldn’t handle that many people.”
The Challenges and Joy of Reunion
Discussing the upcoming film, which serves as a continuation of the seminal 2001 TV series, Raymond Lam expressed deep gratitude. “The whole experience is genuinely moving. You never imagine having the chance to reprise a role you played over 20 years ago, especially with the original cast,” Lam shared, noting the profound return of chemistry with his former on-screen nemesis, actor Jonathan Cheung.
For new cast member Kevin Chu, joining the iconic ensemble felt “magical and exciting.” “I used to watch them on television, and suddenly, we are all in the same space,” Chu marveled.
Koo, who also produced the film, acknowledged the difficulty in reuniting the original ensemble. He specifically thanked actress Joyce Tang for her cooperation, noting the complexities of scheduling the non-Hong Kong shoot around her concurrent commitments to an ongoing sitcom.
Koo emphasized that the delay in producing the film, an idea conceived shortly after the series aired, was entirely intentional. “The idea back then was to wait about 10 years, then gather again,” he explained. “That we were able to reunite is down to fate and luck. The second reason was to showcase how everyone has matured—in appearance, in personality, and in performance.”
The talk show closed with Koo sharing an amusing detail about the character of Cheung Chun, the original series’ antagonist, whose character grows up to become the historical figure Xiang Yu. Koo revealed the character’s unofficial nickname in the script was “Bao Er” (Precious Child) and his English name was “David,” inspired by rock legend David Bowie.
The reunion not only promises a highly anticipated film but has also provided fans with a nostalgic look back at the industry’s evolution and the enduring friendships forged on set two decades ago. The film, A Step into the Past, is set to release later this year.
