13 Feb - Hong Kong actor Louis Koo and USA-born Daniel Wu were in Singapore yesterday to promote their latest Chinese New Year action thriller "Protégé". At the press conference, both the stars expressed their gratitude and satisfaction working with director Derek Yee, producer Peter Chan and co-stars Andy Lau, Anita Yuen and Zhang Jing Chu. "My role in Protégé is very different from my previous endeavours and I think the story is very meaningful. Besides, my role as an undercover cop was one with many conflicts as I was caught between carrying out my duties and my loyalty to my mentor (played by Andy Lau)," said Wu. Meanwhile, Koo said it was a new experience and breakthrough for him as he had to understand how a drug addict is like. "It is also a very new experience as I had to understand how a drug addict is like and if I were given a choice, I would choose to be the little girl (the role of his daughter) in the movie because we all had to cater to her demands on the set," said Louis. Later that evening, the stars also attended a meet-the-fans session cum charity auction at Singapore's Bugis Junction, followed by the premiere at VivoCity. "Protégé" is about a narcotics agent, Nick (Daniel Wu) who goes undercover in the heart of Hong Kong's lucrative heroin trade. He is forced to deal with the hypocrisy and despair in a life of drugs and crime, as he plays protege to one of the key players of the game, 'Banker' (Andy Lau) for eight years. Over the years, Nick finds himself corrupted by the easy money and his new found power. Unable to separate himself from his undercover persona, he immerses himself into his role as a drug trafficker.
"Protégé" opens in cinemas nationwide on 15 February 2007