1984 January: Magazine interview, The Romance between Barbara Yung and Kent Tong (翁美玲、汤镇业的恋情)”

1984 January: Magazine interview, The Romance between Barbara Yung and Kent Tong (翁美玲、汤镇业的恋情)”
Pictures by Violet Yeung

After performing in Kuala Lumpur, Barbara Yung wanted more and planned to go and perform in Singapore next.

Handling Enthusiastic Fans Alone
For her performance in Kuala Lumpur, Barbara went alone, and it was her first solo trip abroad (Europe doesn't count since that was with a group and everyone only performed two or three songs). This time, she had to handle a 45-minute performance on her own. Even Kent Tong, ( he supports the tradition male ideas) admired her courage but jokingly said behind her back that she was "reckless." Miss Yung responded, "What's there to be scared of? It's not like anyone's going to die."

Barbara, having lived abroad for some time and gotten used to an independent lifestyle, approached her work decisively, without hesitation, and with a very direct, almost masculine style. However, at the end of the day, a girl is still a girl. During her performance, many crazy fans rushed to the front of the stage, shouting "Huang Rong! Huang Rong!" (her famous TV character), and some even grabbed her hand, while others jumped on stage to ask for a kiss. No matter how brave she was, it startled her.

A Kiss?

When asked how she handled it, and whether she gave everyone a kiss, she replied, "Of course not! The male fans, I shook hands with them, and with the female fans, we exchanged a light kiss on the cheek as a gesture of politeness. But some fans were so cute, I almost melted."

I knew that Kent Tong had specially flown to Kuala Lumpur to meet her, and they toured the scenic sites together in the tropical surroundings. When I asked Barbara if Kent came to support her performance and saw the lively scene, she said, "Luckily, no. Let me tell you, Kent gets jealous very easily. If he saw that, he'd probably forbid me from performing again."

Denying Secret Cohabitation
From her words, it was clear that their relationship had deepened significantly. By my calculation, Barbara and "Zai Zai" (Kent's nickname) had only been dating for a year, but their relationship had progressed surprisingly quickly—Kent had even visited his future mother-in-law.

There were rumours a few months ago that the two were already living together. Barbara had denied this over the phone, and this time, I took the chance to ask her face-to-face.
"People who spread such rumours don’t know me at all. I'm very much against cohabitation and trial marriage. I believe a girl should maintain her dignity before marriage. If you live together casually, what’s the point of marriage later?" Barbara became more passionate as she continued, "Plus, both our families approve of our relationship. So if we feel the need to live together, we can get married properly. Why hide and secretly live together?"

Although Barbara and Kent weren’t living together, and she hadn’t explicitly said they would marry, it wasn’t far off.

First Love Still the Best
Although Barbara and Kent were inseparable, Kent was not her first love, and in her heart, her first boyfriend was still the one who scored a perfect 100.
She reminisced about her first love, which started when they were young and didn’t really understand what love was. "We just liked each other, and it was very pure," Barbara said as she was taken back to her high school days. "We met at a classmate’s birthday party. He loved music, and that day he even played the guitar and sang. His deep voice drew me in. But he was very proud, and it took a while before he dared to pursue me. It was so frustrating," she said sweetly.

At that time, teenage Barbara didn’t fully grasp what love was, but they developed strong feelings for each other and were intoxicated in a fantasy world. “I didn’t really understand, and thought that the two of us walking hand in hand together was “dating”, .

. “After graduating from high school, my mom told me that she had already processed the procedures for me to study in the UK and would leave in three months. I  was stunned when I heard that. What about him? What about us in the future?”  

I believe that everyone’s first love story is different, but not too far apart, like Barbara Yung, There are many similar examples.

"I told him as quickly as possible that I would soon be going abroad and separated from him. After hearing that, he begged me not to go and not to leave him." While Barbara Yung was talking, she probably thought of that "him" in her mind and couldn't help laughing at the childish kindness they had had in those days. "We were very sad at that time and thought that the end had come. It would be better to die for love, but we didn't have the courage to do so”.

Barbara paused her story to build suspense, after I urged her repeatedly, she continued. " he came up with a solution. He returned home and asked his mother to send him to study in the UK, so we could be together again."

The story seemed to be leading to a happy ending, but Barbara revealed, "Not quite. Although his mother agreed, she sent him to Canada instead, where his brother was. He was upset and insisted on going to the UK, but he couldn't change his mother’s mind. She immediately made arrangements, and he left over a month before I did. When I found out, I was heartbroken and told him I wouldn’t see him off because I couldn’t handle it."

In the end, Barbara did go to see him off at the airport. As he was saying goodbye to his family and friends and about to board, Barbara suddenly appeared, calling his name. "Thinking back, it's so embarrassing, like a scene from a movie. We embraced and didn’t want to let go. If his family hadn’t urged him to leave, he might have missed the flight."

Barbara admitted that although they kept in touch through letters after she went to the UK, life gradually took them in different directions, and their communication eventually dwindled to just an annual Christmas card. Just like that, the story ended.

At this point, Barbara’s smile faded. Clearly, this childhood sweetheart past has left a mark in her heart that is difficult to erase and she said, "He was the best of all the boyfriends I’ve ever had. There’s no doubt about that."

Zai Zai Won’t Mind the Past

I suddenly thought of Kent Tong and asked her, "Aren’t you worried that saying this will upset Kent?"

She thought for a moment and replied, "Everyone has their own past, and for him, he also has his own story. I never ask him, so he shouldn't be jealous. As the saying goes, the past cannot be brought back. As long as we all have confidence in the future, let the past go. "

It is often said that first love is always the most unforgettable. For example, when writing on a piece of white paper, the first stroke is the most important. Whether it is good or bad, it has a great impact. Barbara agreed with me. She said that nobody forgets their first love because it’s the sweetest and purest. "No matter what, I’ve always been sincere in every relationship, and I believe that love should never be used for other purposes—it’s unfair to the other person."

The editor of "Happy Tonight" said that Barbara Yung told the audience about her first love story at the elementary school. When asked if Kent had watched her sharing her first love story on a variety show, Barbara said, "I don’t know, maybe he watched it, maybe not."

People at the TV station said Kent originally had no filming schedule that day and could have attended the show to support her. However, after learning what the show was about, he wisely chose to stay away. Some called him petty, but I disagreed, thinking Kent was very considerate. He understood that if he’d been there, it would have affected her emotions. Since the story was in the past, why should he make her uncomfortable by being present?

I hope that the fact is that a man should be more tolerant, otherwise how can he achieve great things. I didn’t ask Barbara Yung why Kent Tong didn’t come to avoid embarrassing everyone, but I did ask ":When will you marry Zai Zai?”  her answer remained the same: "A few more years. We're still young and need to see more of the world, don’t we?"

(Comment by Rob

In this interview Barbara is combining her first two love experiences into one story.  For more information see the research chapter on this website (Chapter 5: Period 1972, Her first love and Chapter 7: Period 1973 -1974; Romantic times  ). As for her opinion about cohabitation, in England she was in favour of cohabitation. She said that it makes more sense to get to know each other in a daily normal life situation before getting married.)

情食走访

翁美玲、汤镇业的恋情

图绿杨文紫罗兰

去了一趟吉隆坡登台后,翁美玲 食髓知味,又计划向星洲进发。

单身应付热情影迷

那次唱吉隆坡,翁美玲是独个儿前往,且还是她的第一次出门,(欧洲那间不算,大伙儿作伴,每人唱不到三四首歌)负责四十五分钟的表演的,所以就是大男人的汤镇业,都佩服她的勇气,不过,他在背后却说她「无识死」。翁小姐说:「有什么好 怕?又不会死人的。」

翁美玲可能在外国住了一段日子 过惯独立生活,所以做起事上来,没 有半点扭拧,说做便去做,一派男性 作风。

不过,女孩子始终是女孩子,在登台期间,不少疯狂的影迷,冲上台前大叫「黄蓉」、「黄蓉」的,还命拉她的手,一些更跳上台,向她索吻,尽管她的胆子多大,都会被吓一跳。

个KISS?

问她如何憾付?是否每人大派一

「当然不是啦,男的影迷,我便 与他们握一下手,女的彼此轻锡一下 算是礼貌,总不到纸留的影迷真是如

此无俏,差点把我溶化了。 」

我知道汤镇业还专程到吉隆坡去 会合她,还一起畅游蕉风椰雨的名称 景地。问翁美玲,汤镇业可有到来捧 场,有没有看到这样热闹场面。 「幸好没有啊,告诉你,仔仔很 容易会呷醋的,被他看见,今后不准 我唱品有份。」

否认已经秘密同居

凭她这句话,可知两人的感情已

不轻,屈指一算翁美玲与「仔仔」才 拍拖一年,感情我展却真是快得惊人,「 仔仔 」亦拜候过未来外母。

早在几个月前,曾有人停说,他 们两个已经同居了,当时在电话中翁 美玲,已经亲口否认,今次见到她正 好来个当面咨询一下。

「其实传这些谣言的人,根本对 我本人不认识;我是最反对同居和试 婚的。我觉得女孩子在婚前,一定要 保持自己的尊严,随便与男性同居,

将来结婚又有什么味道。 」 翁美玲愈说愈起劲:「何况,我们相方家长也同意我们拍拖,所以, 如果我们觉得有共同生活的需要,太可以名正言顺的结婚,为何要瞒着家秘密同居呢?」 虽然,翁美玲与汤镇业并未同居@sandy

亦未说明非君不嫁,非卿不娶

相差不远了。

虽然翁美玲与汤镇业已是

唔甩,但「仔仔」并非翁美玲眼, 好的一个,在翁美玲心中,初恋情人 那个男友,才有资格拿一百分。 眼打

两小无猜互生情愫

「那时我们都很年轻,不知道爱 情是什么,只是大家都喜欢对方,我 们都是很纯洁的。」美丽的初恋回忆 里,将翁美玲带返中学时代。 「我们是在同学的生日派对上认读,他很喜欢音乐,相识那一天,他还自弹自唱,他浑雄的歌声,深深将我吸引,不过,他很自傲,经过一段日子,才敢向我追求,真气人。」翁美玲甜蜜蜜的说。 十多岁的翁美玲,对爱情滋味还

气,后来………………」翁美玲故意停了下来 有心制造高潮,在我再三催促下,才 又说。

「后来还是他想出法子,他返家 要求母亲也送他到英国留学,那我们 不是又在一起吗。」

有情人终成眷属,好事来呀,不过,翁小姐却说:「可不是呢,他的妈咪虽然答允了,却是答允送他往加拿大,因为那里有他的哥哥照顾,他当然不肯,坚持要去英国,但均不过她的妈咪,而且还立刻替他办手续, 反比我还早了个多月起程,我知道后便哭笑不得,告诉他我不去送机了,

我受不住那种打击。 」 然而,到底翁美玲还是去了,就 在他与亲人,朋友话别,将快入闸, 翁美玲突然出现,高呼他的名字。

「想起来倒脸红得很,就像电影镜头般,我们相拥在一起,大家都不想放开对方,要不是他的家人再三催促,我想他是走不成的。」就这样, 故事拉下了幕,剧终。

仔仔不会介意过去

「本来在我到了英国后,彼此仍 有写信联络,不过,因为大家已在不

是不大懂,以为两人手牵手的出双入 对,便是「拍拖」,沉醉在幻想的世 界中。

终于,这段所训初恋,受不住时 间的考验,无疾而终结束了。

「中学毕业后,妈咪告诉我,已为了我办理去英国读书的手续,三个月后便启程,我听后整个人呆了,那他怎么办?我们以后又怎样?」 相信每个人的初恋故事都不一样

的,但又不会相差很远,像翁美玲,

相同的例子多着呢。

「我以最快时间告诉他,我将快

去外国了,更与他分开。他听了后,

苦苦哀求我,不要走,不要离开他。 」

翁美玲说着的时候,大概脑中想起了 那个「他」,不禁为当年两人曾经有 过的幼稚恵法笑起来。

「那时我们很伤心,以为末日来

到了,不如殉情吧,但我们又没有勇

气,后来………………」翁美玲故意停了下来 有心制造高潮,在我再三催促下,才 又说。

「后来还是他想出法子,他返家 要求母亲也送他到英国留学,那我们 不是又在一起吗。」

有情人终成眷属,好事来呀,不过,翁小姐却说:「可不是呢,他的妈咪虽然答允了,却是答允送他往加拿大,因为那里有他的哥哥照顾,他当然不肯,坚持要去英国,但拗不过她的妈咪,而且还立刻替他办手续, 反比我还早了个多月起程,我知道后便哭笑不得,告诉他我不去送后了, 我受不住那种打击。」

然而,到底翁美玲还是去了,就

在他与亲人,朋友话别,将快入闸, 翁美玲突然出现,高呼他的名字。 「想起来倒脸红得后,就像电影镜头般,我们相拥在一起,大家都不想放开对方,要不是他的家人再三催促,我想他是走不成的。」就这样, 故事拉下了幕,剧终。

仔仔不会介意过去

「本来在我到了英国后,彼此仍 有写信联络,不过,因为大家已在不

 
同地方生活,各有自己的朋友,渐渐 地,书信减少了,感情淡了,到最后 ,除了圣诞咭一张报平安外,再没有 对方的音讯。 」

说到这里,翁美玲的笑容没有了, 毕竟这段两小无猜的往事,在她的心 中已经烙下了印,不易抹去,或许得 不到的东西,更觉它的可贵,所以她

说:「他是我认识的男友中,最好最 好的一个,这是不可置疑的。」

我突然想起汤镇业,于是问她: 「说出来,不怕汤镇业不高兴吗?」

地想了一想,说:「我相信不会

的,每人都有自己的过去,在他来说

亦有自己的故事,我从来不追问他, 所以他亦不该吃醋,所谓逝去者不可 追,只要今后我们大家都有信心,以 前就让它过去吧。 」

常听人说,初恋永远是最难忘, 比方在一张白纸上写字,第一笔是最 重要,是好是坏,影响甚大。

翁美玲很同意我的说法,任何人 都忘不了他们的初恋,初恋又是最甜

蜜,和最纯洁的。

「无论如何,对每段感情都付出 过诚意,都是最神圣的,我最反对将

爱情作其他目的,对人不公平。

在「欢乐今宵」的编导游说 翁美玲将她的初恋故事,透过小学 里,向观众诉了心曲。

问她:「汤镇业有没有看?」 翁美玲说:「不知啊,可能有看 吧,或者没有啦。」

无线中人说,本来汤镇业那天没有拍戏通告,可以做其「跟得男友不过,憾了当晚翁美玲做的项目内容后,很「识做」的打了退堂鼓,有些人说他「小气」,我却不以为然,汤镇业很有风度才是,他明白艺人的情绪,假若那天他坐在录映厂看翁美玲做节目,相信或多或少,都会影响心的,既然这是已经过去的事,为什么不大大万万让她向观众说,却要做「 电灯胆」?

我没有问汤镇业是否如此?我但 愿事实就是这样,男子汉,量度应该 大一点,否则怎能成大事。

我又没有问翁美玲,汤镇业为什 么不来?免得大家尴尬,不过,我倒 问了句:「几时与「仔仔」结婚?」

答案仍是没变:「过多几年才说呢, 大家年纪轻嘛,要多看看世界才对,

是不?」