Louisa So
Louisa So is one of the few theater actresses in Hong Kong who is also well-known by the general public. Having appeared in TVB dramas, her popularity shot to new heights in 2006, when she won “Beautiful Cooking,” a wildly popular competitive culinary show on TVB. So talks to Grace Tsoi about her latest project and how that she’s not really that into cooking.
I am a disciplined person, and I have this trait because of my childhood experiences. I have five siblings. My parents had to go out to work, and everyone had his or her job to do at home. After school, I had to take my two younger brothers home. Then I started doing my homework. At around six o’clock, I had to start cooking for the whole family.
In “Rabbit Hole,” I play a mother who lost her son in a car accident. Before the rehearsal, we visited Comfort Care Concern Group [a charity that helps bereaved families]. There were four mothers who had lost their daughters. The sharing session was so depressing, and during the two and a half hours, my tears kept flowing.
Playing a mother is complicated. First, I don’t have a son. And I don’t have a son who was killed in an accident. But I get a lot of resources from these mothers and I understand their plight. It’s the work of actresses to find resources, use their imaginations, do research and observe others [to understand their roles].
Poon Chan-leung [So’s boyfriend of 17 years] is also in the play. We understand each other’s positions very well, and we strictly separate work from leisure. There are no arguments or troubles like everyone imagines.
I’ve fallen in love with every role I’ve played before. It feels like I have shared bits of my life with every one of them.
Working in art is a lonely business. Art is a very subjective thing. You are the only one who best understands your own thoughts and actions, and these things can’t be shared with others. Some people may not approve of you, and you have to insist and believe in yourself. Otherwise, you will be defeated and can’t continue on your way.