Recently, Best Actress Elena Kong was interviewed by a radio station, reflecting on the ups and downs of her acting career. She mentioned that the classic 2012 TVB drama Silver Spoon, Sterling Shackles has recently been rebroadcast in Hong Kong, unexpectedly putting her back in the spotlight. However, she recounted that when she played the role of the 'Third Mistress' back then, she was bombarded by criticism from viewers. Faced with the stark contrast between past and present reactions, Elena described it as 'unexpected' and 'wondrous.'
Elena recalled: 'Back then, I was infamously nicknamed "Black Stocking Kong," criticized for being "too explicit" and for setting a bad example for children—people thought someone in their forties shouldn’t play such a role. I was quite young at the time, and seeing those comments did upset me, and I was worried it would affect the ratings.' Regarding the reversal of public opinion now, she admitted that this is not so much a 'vindication' as it is an inspiring story: 'It proves that your efforts may get recognized at unexpected times. That’s why actors must always stay alert, never slack off, and put their heart into every performance.'
Although Elena Kong won Best Supporting Actress for Triumph in the Skies II in 2013, her career path afterwards was not smooth. She was criticized by outsiders for being arrogant and unlikeable. In response, she reflected: 'I have a straightforward personality. My demeanor can look a bit aloof, and since I’m not good at sugar-coating my words, sometimes I offend people without realizing it.'
She revealed that after starring as the female lead for the first time in My Dearly Sinful Mind in 2017, her perfectionist attitude led her to speak too forcefully, neglecting the feelings of behind-the-scenes staff, which resulted in friction with the crew. Elena admitted: 'After that, nobody dared to let me act in dramas; I could only switch to hosting variety shows. Unexpectedly, hosting Neighborhood Gourmet attracted even more negative comments. Looking back, it feels like I’ve been trapped in a whirlpool of criticism for over a decade.' As for how she later landed the leading role in Get On A Flat—the drama that earned her her Best Actress title—she jokingly said: 'That comes down to different levels of consideration. Those who understand, will understand.'