After a long break from acting, singer-actress Kelly Chen returns as a wartime princess in “An Empress and the Warriors.” She talks to June Ng about why it's good to push it to the limit.

I was born in Hong Kong. My dad is a jewelry merchant and my mom is a housewife.

How was I like as a kid? A beautiful little girl!

I wasn't really that good in school, and I wasn’t popular either. I was just as simple as all the other girls. 

My relationship with my family is the same as my friends. My dad inspires me a lot. He’s a man with great taste. He inspired me to study design.

I graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York. I love design because it can give me space to create and develop my own ideas.

I never really set a direction in my career. I've just tried my best to grab any opportunity.

The biggest challenge I’ve had was shooting my new movie “An Empress and the Warriors.” I play a princess in ancient times. But I had to fight in wars, roll in dirt and ride on horseback.

It’s great when you discover that you can do something which you’d never thought you’d be capable of.

It’s hard to change when you fall into a stereotype.

Making a start is relatively easy, compared to the effort that you have to make in sustaining what you’ve already got.  

My biggest success was when I was announced as one of the "Outstanding Young Persons of the World" in 2004. It    felt like I'd won a world title! 

As public figures, we all have to set a good example, not only to our fans, but     to everyone out there.

I don't know whether I want to stay in show business forever. I never think     about retiring.
I met my first boyfriend in high school.

Of course I’ve had my share of heart-breaking experiences, just like everybody else. But through them I learnt how to trust and be more considerate to my partner.

Trust is the core in sustaining a relationship. I think the care and concern you show is far more important than romance.

I’ve been with my boyfriend for 16 years. That certainly says something.

I think I’ll get married eventually, but I haven’t thought that far ahead.

There’s no definite rule for how modern girls can balance their love life and career. Just try your best, girl!

Show business in Hong Kong is dying out, especially the music industry. But I believe people will still buy CDs if we keep up the hard work.

The biggest challenge for Hong Kong is keeping our competitiveness. Many cities are developing rapidly and they’re competing with us.

I’m so proud of the service industry in Hong Kong. Take the airport for example, have you ever experienced a faster check-in?

If you give your best to each role, you’ll never be far from success.

This last year back in show business   has taught me how to get along with different people.
I think I’m lucky. I've never experienced any great failures. Maybe I’m optimistic, I just treat setbacks as learning processes.

When I die, I want a beautiful photo on my tombstone and I want my work to be remembered.

Frankly, I’m happy with everything in my  life. I don’t want to change anything at all, even if I could. I have no regrets.

There's no need to feel upset if you've tried your best, even if the results might be bad.

Be happy every day. That’s my motto in life.