Leanne Liu in this TV still

For many years, Taiwan actress Leanne Liu has been stereotyped as a mild and obedient protagonist who leads a pathetic life in Qiong Yao's romance dramas.

But this time Liu, who thinks of herself as an extrovert, plays a tough and wicked middle-aged woman who likes to torture her daughter-in-law.

Liu is in town to promote her latest work, the 32-episode TV series "Madam Yun." Centring on the conflicts of women in a large feudal family, it screens on the local Film and Drama Channel from Monday.

"It was such an exciting and new experience to play a villain," said Liu. "And, for the first time, I don't need to cry so much on screen."

The 49-year-old Liu rose to fame in the 1980s with her unsophisticated performance in romantic TV series "Misty Rain" and "Mute Wife."

She doesn't think that young people's views about love has changed much over the years.

"Actually, a true love transcends all ages," she said. "For me, love is the most important thing. I could never accept a marital life without passion and romance."

Liu also revealed that plans to relocate to Shanghai and will star in some modern dramas set against the backdrop of urban life.
 
(Shanghai Daily February 18, 2008)