Name: Cherie Kong Chi-nei Birthday: July 14, 1977 Birthplace: Hong Kong Occupation: TVB presenter Cherie Kong Chi-nei hosts K-100 and Music 3D for TVB, and has also been featured in a series of weekly TVB advertisements. She entered the industry after a successful debut in a TVB artists' casting session, and went on to participate in a one-month station-organised artistic training course. She's taken part in music videos as well as modelling in fashion shows and advertisements, and is setting her sights on dramatic roles for the future. Further education is important to Cherie, and she hopes to study in Japan. What inspired you to enter the entertainment industry? I was introduced to the industry through a training course, and discovered I enjoyed communicating with people. I am also a very active person. What's it like working at TVB? I think it is quite a challenge to host TV programmes and it is also wonderful to meet many different kinds of people and be present at so many different events. What did you do previously? I used to be a part-time private tutor when I was studying. Then I worked as a full-time private tutor and in customer services for almost a year. These jobs were stable and had fixed working hours, such as 9 am to 6 pm. They were not boring but neither were they very interesting. In fact, I worked in these jobs because their hours were more suitable for me to continue studying part-time for a degree. What makes a good host? I think a host should have a good memory because they have to remember the script. They should speak clearly and fluently, so audiences get the message easily. A good host should also have good communication skills and be able to convey affection to audiences. Which programme do you like hosting? I love music and singing, so I like to host music programmes such as Music 3D. It was the first TV programme I hosted and I think it is more rigorous and difficult than having to host K-100 . I especially enjoy the job of hosting large-scale programmes because they offer a much bigger challenge. In which field do you want to develop your future? I would like to develop my singing career, but I do not want to be a famous singer. I prefer composing. In any event, I hope to play dramatic roles. I like tackling roles that are different to my character because they are more of a challenge. How do you feel about appearing in advertisements? I think appearing in advertisements is more comfortable than hosting TV programmes because there are fewer lines to remember. However, I realise that appearing on TVB has made me a celebrity, which is why I was invited to take part in the advertisements. So, I will continue to try my best to be as good a TV host as I am able to be. What kind of a student were you? I was not a hardworking student but I became more committed after graduating from Form Five. This led me to continue my studies on a part-time degree programme after graduating from Form Seven. It is comforting to think of my studies as a hobby and a chance to learn. The exams are there to test my ability. I can therefore free myself from the pressures and become more interested in my studies. What is the main source of pressure in hosting TV programmes? I think the industry is very competitive because of its rapid development. If you do not work hard to enhance yourself, you will be out. So, I am trying to enhance my skills. How do you cope with pressure? I am an optimist and I like watching films, singing, listening to music and learning how to relieve pressure. Learning is particularly important to me. What is your advice for young people interested in the entertainment industry? I would advise them that they need the necessary skills to enter this industry because it is so challenging and competitive. It is unrealistic to dream of becoming a superstar. To me, self-confidence is the power to face challenges. I think self-confidence comes from knowledge, which is why learning is very important. What is your ultimate dream? I hope to live in Japan and study Japanese. I started to learn it in Form Four. As I lack opportunities to practise or speak it, I think I need to move to Japan to improve my Japanese. Since I have been working in the entertainment industry, I have not had a chance to go to Japan to study, but I will seize the opportunity when I can. Has the TV job changed your life? Yes. Sometimes, I feel uneasy when someone recognises me in the street. Moreover, I need to maintain my image and so I have less time to myself. However, I am happy to make new friends at TVB and learn from them. So I think the job is beneficial. What are the most unforgettable experiences in your job? I was thrilled to be able to interview my idols. I took part in the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals' charitable TV programme and worked hard to perfect my performance throughout the night. Unfortunately, I hurt my knee but had to continue performing. It left me exhausted but I will never forget it. Making a programme in Shanghai was a very chilling experience. It was extremely cold because it was snowing. I sometimes had to remove my thick coat while appearing on camera. I felt exhausted by the cold weather. Jacky was a summer intern from Hong Kong Shue Yan College.