Miriam Yueng, the star of Dry Wood, Fierce Fire, My Lucky Star, Love Undercover I and II, Sound of Colours and Anna in Kungfu-land, was interviewed by The Malay Mail, in advance of touring in Malaysia this coming April.

She's currently recording a new Cantonese album and will be working on a new film with director Derek Yee. Miriam talks about life as a singer/actress and what it's like to field rumors concerning her love life.

On her romantic link with Louis Koo:

Hong Kong star as charming in real life as in movies

Like the happy-go-lucky girl she often portrays on screen, Miriam Yeung has a positive outlook on life.

So even when rumours romantically linked her to Louis Koo, Miriam took it very coolly.

"The rumours are not true," confirmed a rather bemused Miriam during a phone interview from Hong Kong recently.

"We have known each other for so long. And we had spent a lot of time time together because of work.

"So the gossip was all made up. But in a way, it was good because there was at least something new for them to write and for people to read!"

After breaking up with Ronald Cheng last year, Miriam, 31, is happily single again.

She believes in fate when it comes to her love life.

"Finding love is not something within one's control. But I can control my career and that's my focus for now," she reasoned.

And the good thing is that her parents have never urged her to get married as they are more concerned about whether she is living a happy and healthy life.

But she is not too happy with the paparazzi.

They recently pestered her family in their attempt to get news about her.

"As an artiste, dealing with the media comes the job. But it is not right to disrupt the lives of family.''

Indeed she has made it clear to the media not to disturb her family.

"However they are free to talk to me or take my photograph any time."

Miriam entered the entertainment industry in 1995, after finishing a nursing course.

Her friends signed her up for a singing contest in which she sang Cass Phang's Waited For Too Long.

She finished third.

During a trial recording session, Miriam was spotted by record label Capital Artist, which signed her up.

At first, she didn't make much impact as a singer or as an actress.

But she slowly won fans with her easygoing and happy nature.

Directors often cast her as a happy-go-lucky, somewhat careless girl, the kind of sweetie who in spite of her many mistakes, still manages to attract a decent man with her goodness.

Hard work and a little bit of luck propelled Miriam to stardom.

The year 2003 was a breakthrough for her, with both her acting and singing careers making great leaps forward.

She acted in popular movies like Dry Wood Fierce Fire, My Lucky Star, Love Undercover I and II, Sound of Colours and Anna in Kungfu-land.

Today, with over 30 albums under her belt, the latest feather in her cap was when she recently clinched the Most Popular Female Artiste award in Hong Kong's prestigious Radio Commercial Music Awards.

Her single Small City Big Matter has also topped the charts in Hong Kong and many other Asian countries.

The Canto-pop queen will be staging her maiden concert in Malaysia on April 9, at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highland.

Her guest artiste will be Edmond Leung, another popular artiste who has been making a mark for himself in recent years.

She is currently recording her new Cantonese album and next month, Miriam will be working on a romantic art movie by director Derek Yee.

Her male lead will be Daniel Woo.

"It is the first time I am working with Derek. I believe I will learn a lot from him."

A departure from her usual romantic comedy roles, the new film will be a more realistic depiction of life in Hong Kong.

When asked to reveal more about the coming concert in Genting, Miriam said it would be different from her Hong Kong concerts.

"I will be presenting songs old and new, and there will be a section of movie themes with music video clips," she said.

"Edmond and I would also be singing our own and each other's songs."

But audience at her concert won't be hearing any of the songs from her new album as she would be saving that for the album promotion.

Miriam said she hopes to come to Malaysia to meet her fans before the concert but it will depend on her schedule.

"But do come to my concert. I promise the audience will have a memorable time."

(CRI via KFCC March 25, 2005)