The issues Lin Ching Hsia graced the covers of Ming Pao Weekly are 250, 426, 390, 446, 454, 456, 505, 536, 674, 676, 692, 800, 802, 817, 868, 875, 999, 1000, 1018, 1025, 1149, 1154, 1234, 1239, 1320, 1333, 1337, 1338, 1342, 1417, 1469, 1549, 1584, 1649, 1678, 1688, 1701, 1709, 1733
So far, I have refrained from commenting on Lin Ching Hsia and her career and lifestyle. Thus this comment is found at the bottom where I presumed few will bother to read. What is extraordinary, about Ming Pao Weekly's presentation of Lin Ching Hsia, is of its positive attitude and even affection given to Lin Ching Hsia. Of course, Ming Pao Weekly's covers are mostly photographs of popular and attractive women. The Heavenly Kings and Jackie Chan who are of newsworthy mention get their few and occasional chances. Few women have appear as frequent as Brigitte Lin with maybe the exception of Maggie Cheung. None has lasted as long or as far back since 1973 or as frequent within a year or even appear on consecutive weeks. If you analyse the list of Ming Pao Weekly covers, they try to satisfy the general readership by cramming as many stars as they can into the covers. Lin Ching Hsia rarely had to share the limelight with other stars in the cover page except to appear as a couple with ex-boyfriends and her loving husband. Few has their marriage mentioned so often nor their babies displayed. Retirement from acting normally meant retirement from the front pages of Ming Pao Weekly.
In general Oriental mentality, actresses become less popular after marriage and even more so after giving birth. Brigitte Lin is an exception. The Far East has no royalty (if you exclude the Japanese Royal Family). Brigitte Lin's life is a fairy tale to the ordinary Chinese woman (of course, Lin Ching Hsia most probably had a tough time working hard and being independent before reaching her current position). But to the general Chinese womenkind, she has achieved success in many areas ie. a loving husband, adorable children, successful career, respect, wealth and fame and yet maintaining her youth and looks. Lin Ching Hsia is the Oriental version (dare I say it!) of Princess Diana. Most probably, the other actress with opportunity of achieving the same status is Maggie Cheung and Lisa Wong. Of course, there are other actresses in their twenties and thirties with potential but only time can tell us who they will be. The male equivalent would be Chow Yun Fatt, Jackie Chan and Andy Lau in current star status and longevity. But only Andy Lau has reached the 100 film milestone. Jackie and Andy still hog the headlines because they are resident in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, it is wonderful to see these stars around after all these years because it proves that the general Chinese population are not that fickle and their attention is not limited to teenybopper stars.
By looking at the covers, it gives a feeling of taking a 30-second memory blast of Lin Ching Hsia who we hope will grace the covers of Ming Pao Weekly for many years more.
Note from the webmaster : If I left any issue out, I apologize. I had to squint at some of the covers plus not every issue was displayed at http://www.mpweekly.com. The pictures were extracted from http://www.mpweekly.com for your convenience. I only have the recent issues of Ming Pao Weekly. I would be grateful if you help me to get the older issues. It would be nice to read the articles.
Recently a book was compiled of Ming Pao Weekly major headlines.