Having been in the movie business for many years, I am used to having a flexible life. My routine used to revolve around film projects. There are times when we film all night and I sleep all day, or it may be normal, when we film during the day and I sleep at night. But things have changed dramatically this month. I've been hosting Commercial Radio's morning show, On a Clear Day, for three weeks. It's something completely new and I am trying to get used to it.
I get up at 5.45am because the show starts at 7.15am. I live close to the station, just 10 minutes away, on Kadoorie Avenue. I don't take that long to get ready but I still want to look presentable because I believe in decorum. I lay out my clothes the night before - I prefer Prada, Comme des Garcons, Junya Watanabe and Gaultier because they are well cut. My hair is a short crop so it takes me less than 10 minutes to wash and style it. I call it the Astro Boy look. I used to never take breakfast but I realise I need a lot of energy to be alert in the morning, so I always drink a glass of soy milk and a bowl of Chinese medicinal soup. I believe in the principles of Chinese medicine because they take a more holistic approach. It's about treating the body as one entity and creating balance, instead of fixing problems here and there when something goes wrong.
This is the belief I have for my show, which I host from Monday to Thursday. It's a platform where we discuss current issues and events but try to maintain a broader perspective. Hong Kong is like a person, and sometimes there are areas that become ill and need special attention. But it doesn't mean we neglect other areas because everything is important for a person's wellbeing. Achieving equilibrium is important. Some people want to save Hong Kong's heritage, while others oppose welfare cuts. But we are all a part of the system, and all these components are part of the organ we call society.
I anchor the show with two hosts and we often have guests, so I have to be careful about striking a balance with everyone's views. Radio is so different. The 'air' space is limited and you do what you can to make sure everyone has a say. But, unlike movies, you can't control everything. There are also times when some people speak too long and it's then I become a moderator, stopping them if necessary.
Being a radio host is the last thing I thought I'd do. I've known Winnie Yu [head of Commercial Radio] for many years and when she called and asked me to step up to the plate, I looked at my husband [film director Tsui Hark], and he said if it's something I need to do, I should do it.
We try to do a line-up of discussion topics the night before and our researchers spend hours collecting information and material that might only last two minutes on air. By the time I arrive at the station before 7am, we do a briefing and go through all the newspapers, and the line-up will often change. I am trying hard to brush up on a lot of reading to understand the background of ongoing issues so I can provide listeners with accurate information.
My husband and I live very independent lives, although I've been involved in his film projects. I am also a director of a listed company. I split the rest of my day working in his studio in Kowloon Bay and my other office in Wan Chai. He's in Xinjiang right now, filming his new movie, Seven Swords. It's a period film and he's built a huge set there for filming. The weather in Xinjian is harsh, it can be 30 degrees Celsius during the day and drop to zero degrees at night. We talk on the phone every day but sometimes the reception isn't so good. Since I only work Monday to Thursday, I plan to fly up there to visit him.