Linda Chung Once Didn’t Dare To Take Leave Even Though Her Skin Was “Splitting Open” From A Viral Infection

During her recent appearance on Hongkong actor Steven Ma’s talk show Coffee, You and Me, the 36-year-old revealed that she was under a lot of pressure back then.

In 2007, while filming dramas A Journey Called Life and Heart of Greed at the same time, Linda’s health suffered due to stress and a lack of proper rest. She even contracted rubella, or German measles, a viral infection that caused her to have rashes all over her body, except for her face.

According to Linda, it was so bad that when she removed her clothes to show her friend Tavia Yeung in the toilet, the latter “immediately burst into tears”.

Despite her condition, Linda did not dare to ask for time off and just kept working, working, and working. “I was cheap and able to endure it, so there were many opportunities for me, plus I just couldn't say no,” she said.

Steven, who also starred in A Journey Called Life, knows firsthand just how much Linda suffered. “It was so serious that she had blisters all over, and her skin was splitting open. But she still continued to film while her skin was peeling right in front of me.”

He then recalled telling Linda to rest, but she cried and refused to give up. Steven admitted that he was furious and thought that she was “really stupid” to be like that.

“I told the director that I was uncomfortable and didn’t want to continue shooting,” said the 49-year-old. “I pulled her off the set to rest for a bit, and she was finally willing to go see a doctor. I even helped her to find a doctor.”

Celebs being a little too gung-ho at work — and paying a hefty price for it with their health — is unfortunately not an uncommon thing.

Charmaine Sheh has admitted that she was “close to dying” after going five days without sleep while filming a drama, and Tony Leung was once so overworked that the crew actually thought he had passed away when they spotted him sleeping on a bench between takes. Taiwanese singer Tarcy Su also shared that her face became partially paralysed thanks to an overwhelming work schedule.

Photos: Linda Chung/Instagram, myTV SUPER