Michelle Yim

Michelle Yim Wai-ling (Chinese: 嚴惠玲; born September 2, 1955), also known by her Chinese stage name Mai Suet (Chinese: 米雪), is a Hong Kong actress and elder sister of former actress Shirley Yim Shuet Lei (Chinese: 雪梨). She graduated from St. Rose of Lima's College and Shaw Brothers' Training School.

For her popular villain role in 2008's TVB acclaimed drama, 'Moonlight Resonance', she won Best Actress at TVB Anniversary Awards 2008, Guangzhou TV Awards 2009 and also at Asian Television Awards 2009. She is the first Hong Kong television actress to sweep three Best Actress awards from a single role across Asia Pacific, and also the first Hong Kong actress to win Best Actress at the prestigious Asian Television Awards.

Early life and career

In 1975, Yim joined Commercial Television (CTV), and began her journey onto the television circles. In 1976, Yim acted in Legend of the Condor Heroes, a Wuxia TV series adaptation of Louis Cha's novel of the same title. For the first time, Yim took up the role as a female lead, portraying the character Wong Yung. This drama not only shot her into the limelight, but also created the first one million ratings in the television history. She has since been awarded the Top Ten Artiste Award several times.

With the closure of CTV in 1978, Yim became a contract-free actress. One of the companies, Television Broadcasts (TVB) invited her to guest-star in one of the period drama, The Twins, which later become one of her best works.

Career: the 1980s and 1990s

During the 1980s, Yim signed and joined Rediffusion Television (RTV) (now ATV). There, she acted in several well-known drama serials, such as The Dynasty, The Radical City, Tai Chi Master, Princess Cheung Ping, The Legendary Fok and more, earning her the title of the "Princess of Wuxia Drama".

After her contract with RTV terminated, Yim was once again a contract-free actress, and this allowed her to work for the two companies (TVB and ATV) more easily. However, such situation is considered rare due to the intense competition between the two broadcasting companies. Examples like The Legend of Master So and Tiger Hill Trail are still fondly remembered by the Chinese, especially the latter.

Other than films and television dramas, she has also acted in live performances. In 1982, she was invited by Roman Tam to perform in a musical play called Madame White Snake, portraying the role as the Green Snake. The cast included Roman Tam and Liza Wang. The responses were tremendous, and the trio was asked to perform in several large events on different occasions.

In 1985, Yim returned to ATV and agreed to film a certain number of drama serials a year as part of her filming contract. At the same year, together with Damian Lau, she filmed a period drama, Chronicles of the Shadow Swordman, adapted from one of Wuxia writer Liang Yusheng's works. This drama received many praises and critical acclaims of their impressive performances, pushing them into next higher point. Since then, both were entitled the name of "Best Onscreen Couples/Lovebirds", and collaborated in many drama serials. Even now, they are still recognized as the best and ever duo in television industry.

In 1990, she performed in another musical play, Cyrano De Bergerac, a story adapted from French literature. Her co-star was Adam Cheng. This play undeniably increased her exposure to the performing arts, and allowed her to take part more in musicals in the future. Yim signed a contract with TVB in 1993, acting in a 300+ episodes sitcom, Mind Our Own Business. Together with the rest of that cast, she performed in another musical play (The Flirty Doctor). She was involved in a musical play (I Have a Date with Spring) with Alice Lau as well.

Recent career

In 2000, Yim and Damian Lau starred as Cheung Mo-kei's parents in the TVB Wuxia drama, The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. Their performances were well-received, and both were praised and applauded for their acting. Especially Yim, past 40 yet capable of portraying the twenty-year-old heroine to acclaim. As such, she won the name of "The Forever Youthful".

Since 2000, she has been actively involved in several shows, including filming for drama serials, dancing, musical play, game shows, and even cooperated with overseas broadcasts companies. Cash Is King (2002) and The Rainbow Connection (2005) showed good examples. She has also hosted in programmes such as On the Road and Life In Frame (光影流情).

Yim's most recent drama serial, TVB's Moonlight Resonance, aired in July 2008. In this TVB's blockbuster serial, she portrays the villainous second wife, Yan Hung, who plots to have the family separated. Her performance in this serial has won her many praises and recognition. Yim won the Best Actress in the TVB Anniversary Awards 2008. In the final episode of Moonlight Resonance, which has the rating of over 47, the drama reached its peak at 50 rating during the scene when Yan Hung (character portrayed by Yim) slapped her daughter and shouted angrily to everyone present in her house.

On 3 December 2009, Yim won the Best Drama Performance by an Actress Award at the Asian Television Awards 2009 for her role in Moonlight Resonance.

Personal life

Michelle Yim had been in a long-term relationship with former soccer player and fellow actor, Wan Chi-keung, who died on 16 February 2010.

Films

Television