Bernice Liu - Stabilizing Career

Stabilizing Career

In 2002, after a successful reception of Virtues of Harmony, TVB decided to produce a modern spin-off for the sitcom. Liu was given the role Joey Wong, an undergraduate fashion designer working for her father's company. That same year, Liu recorded songs for Happy Together, a soundtrack consisting of songs recorded by the Virtues of Harmony cast. The album was released on February 6, 2003. While Virtues of Harmony II filming was active, Liu was given a recurring guest role in the 2002 serial drama, Golden Faith as Alice Yiu, starring opposite Gallen Lo. Golden Faith did well in Hong Kong but received mixed reviews from critics. While some critics regard it as a masterpiece, other critics whiplashes the series for its unrealistic characters. Nonetheless, the drama achieved a high rating spot, becoming one of the top ten most viewed Hong Kong series of 2002. Virtues of Harmony II was released in 2003 and also well received with good ratings. Liu, however left the series in 2004 due to co-star Frankie Lam's marriage to actress Kenix Kwok. Lam ultimately never returned to the series even when it concluded in January 2005. The incomplete ending for Liu left viewers upset.

Her first theatrical motion picture role was in My Wife is 18 (2002). Liu portrayed the supporting role, Miss Lee, a Physical Education teacher who is attracted to Ekin Cheng's character, Sap-Saam. The film won "Best Comedy Film 2002" in Hong Kong. Liu then attracted broader attention for her role as Jessica Chiang in the 2003 serial drama Survivor's Law, in which she played a sweet and clumsy trainee solicitor. The role received her critical praise and she became a popular candidate for Most Improved Actress at the annual TVB Anniversary Awards. Survivor's Law was the eighth most viewed series of 2003, peaking at 37 ratings points.

Liu's singing career began a rise in 2005, when she sang the theme song for Into Thin Air. The theme song became a promotional single for Lady In Red, a compilation album consisting of TVB theme songs and sub songs. The single became a number one hit and won a Jade Solid Gold recognition in 2006. Following the success of the single that same year, Liu won the "Best Newcomer Awards at the Jade Solid Gold Top 10 Awards. Liu then began to sing a chain of other songs for television series, such as "Break Up" (also a track in the Lady In Red compilation), "Do You Still Need To Care," and "So In Love With You."

Liu emerged as a dark horse candidate as TVB's top-earning artists of 2006, mostly due to her numerous endorsement contracts. In the summer of 2006, Liu earned a contract with Nike, and became the first Asian spokesperson for the company. Her posters are now all over Asia promoting Nike products.

In 2007, Liu beat award winning-actress Charmaine Sheh to claim TVB's top earning artist spot of 2007 earning HK$4.8 million. Liu, along with Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, and other TVB stars, became judges for 2007 Mr. Hong Kong.