BOLD, liberal and not afraid to talk about sex.

That might be your impression of Hong Kong actress Kate Tsui.

After all, in 2006, the 29-year-old former beauty queen made headlines when she spoke openly and uninhibitedly about sex on a live radio programme.

She even went into great detail about G-spots, her preferred duration for sex, as well as favourite make out spots and other intimate sex details.

That episode apparently “incurred the wrath” of higher managementat TV Band she was kept in “cold storage” for a while till the matter finally blew over.

Recently, there were also reports of her “diva-like attitude” at work, which claimed that she often turned uplate for filming.

So before The New Paper met the actress at Marriott Hotel here recently, this reporter wondered: Who is the real Kate Tsui?

Kate was quick to dispel talk about her demanding behaviour, declaring that she is “no diva”, and that those “rumours” were simply untrue.

“I believe that directors and producers who chose to work with me are smart people.

They know what’s real and what’s not,” she said.

“If I really had a problem, surely they wouldn’t continue casting me in their dramas or movies, right?”

And yes, while she might look every bit the sexy, irresistible bombshell, she came across as a big kid at heart during the interview.

With a pristine complexion and a hot, tousled- hair look, she appeared like an excited young girl when her favourite topics were brought up.

Such as all the action sequences in her new TV series, The Four – her first foray into the swordfighting period genre.

“I enjoyed doing all the martial arts sequences very much, which were mostly shot in Yunnan, China,” she said.

“Unlike series that are set in the modern day, period dramas give me a lot of room for imagination and to fantasise.

“Plus, all the action stuff’s really fun.Somehow, everyone looks smart and cool in their costumes.”

The Four will premiere on StarHub DemandTV in April.

You can’t blame the actress for feeling high-spirited.

Ever since she took home the winner’s crown for Miss Hong Kong 2004 (she also won Miss Photogenic and Miss International Goodwill at the same pageant), things have only got better for her.

In 2007, at the TVB Annual Awards Ceremony, Kate was awarded Most Improved Actress for her stellar portrayals of a tomboy rookie cop and a strong career-minded woman in police drama On The First Beat and the dance-themed Steps respectively.

She also received recognition for her actingon the big screen.

At the 27th Hong Kong Film Awards in April last year, she bagged Best New Artist for her supporting role in the crime thriller, Eye In The Sky.

It was an emotionally charged performance where she showed she could hold her own opposite cinema heavyweights Tony Leung Ka-Fai and Simon Yam.

New challenge

This year looks set to be an even more challenging one for Kate, as she prepares to venture into an all-new territory – singing.

“It’s very stressful,” she admitted candidly.

“Unlike acting, which places importance on teamwork and interaction with your co-stars, singing is all about oneself; one person in the recording studio, one person onstage facing the audience.”

Her debut album is slated for release later in the year.

“My dream would be to act and sing in a musical someday. I’ve been a huge fan of musicals since young,” she said, her eyes lightingup instantly.

Like a true fan of musicals, she keeps a hefty, growing collection of musicals on boxsets and DVDs.

Finally, perhaps in a bid to remind us of her youthfulness and vitality, she told us that she is happily single at the moment.

“I’m in no rush to settle down at all. I still feel like a child who wants to jump around,” she said.

“I still want to enjoy my freedom, travel and explore the world.”

This article was first published in The New Paper.