[2026.06.06] CHOW YUN FAT AND TSE KWAN HO REMEMBER CHUNG KING FAI

Gardner Tse shares details of his late mentor while attending an event
courtesy of on.cc

Gardner Tse gets teary eyed when talking about mentor Chung King Fai, saying that he felt uneasy and very heartbroken

Drama master Chung King Fai passed away in his sleep at age 89 earlier

Chow Yun Fat recalls working with Chung King Fai in the past

Rosa Velasco and AK perform an ambiguous romantic scene in their play
courtesy of mingpao.com

The drama master Chung King Fai recently passed away in his sleep. Only had the opportunity to get into the business when blessed with the grace of Chung King Fai, Chow Yu Fat thanked him for guidance, praised him for being a great instructor and general and he would be forever missed. Chung King Fai's disciple Gardner Tse Kwan Ho attended the worship ceremony for the premiere of the stage play "The Magic Hour" yesterday. When talking about his teacher he was teary eyed, saying that through the performance he would pay tribute to Chung King Fai. He would also follow his example, and teach students to pass on the experience. MIRROR member Anson Kong Yip Sun (AK) said that he was not uncertain about and had no comment on the dissolution of his teammate Stanley Yau Si Chun's fan club.

Chung King Fai (King Sir) once in the interview revealed that when Chow Yun Fat registered for the TVB artist training class, because of his lack of understanding of drama, his dialogue delivery and other aspects of experience were also insufficient so he was not accepted. However he noticed Chow Yun Fat's size and superior conditions, thought he had potential, decided to give him the opportunity and achieved Chow Yun Fat's future performing arts journey. Chow Yun Fat spoke with "TVB Entertainment News" and talked about the past with Chung King Fai. "From entering the training class in 1973 to graduating in 74, we were under the guidance of King Sir for the whole year so we gradually understood drama. He is Mr. Nice Guy and a great teacher. Later when we came out to practice, we also worked on a lot of his work like playing a constable, internship on the stage play of "Qing Palace's Dream", to the later stage when we performed RUN FOR YOUR WIFE, King Sir was the director. I miss this good teacher, he is a good general. May King Sir have a safe journey, he will forever be missed!"

Tse Kwan Ho yesterday with Eric Kot Man Fai, AK, Rosa Velasco (Wai Law Sha) and others attended the worship ceremony for the stage drama THE MAGIC HOUR at the Academy of Performing Arts to pray for 29 performances to be successful. Speaking of his mentor Chung King Fai, Tse Kwan Ho said that he was upset and very heartbroken, but knew that his mentor always had awe and respect for acting. Thus he also packed up his emotions to perform the stage play. He lamented that when he received the bad news, he was rehearsing backstage on the same stage of the first performance of his life, which King Sir directed. He felt that the world was full of wonders, his emotions were mixed and he wanted to pay tribute to him. Tse Kwan Ho said, "He taught me acting in the 1980s. He was the master of a generation in Hong Kong, a trailblazer of the stage, film and television who brought in many dramatic and modern performance methods. Without him there would be no (The Academy of) Performing Arts or TVB artist training class, which wouldn't be able to cultivate so many directors and actors of today. At class back then, King Sir frequently said that 'the actor's responsibility is not just acting, but actually often waiting; waiting more than acting! However, in the process of waiting we must continue to study and add value to ourselves.' He also taught us to be on time, and must be ready to perform anytime when the time came."

Tse Kwan Ho noticed the tributes from the (Academy of) Performing Arts students, from which they shared that Chung King Fai used the words "Pretty Fun" to describe the experience of acting for many years. He felt very moved and said that his mentor looked at his work with an approachable attitude.

As for unforgettable moments, Tse Kwan Ho and Chung King Fai were born on the same day (March 23rd). Every year he would "tag along" and cut the cake together to celebrate. "The last time I saw that he was very happy and spirited, so relaxed and at ease. He took a lot of photos. As soon as he talked about 'acting' his whole person would be alive again. King Sir would also pay attention to us students' performances, he would even notice the work I did in the mainland. He would have different views on each person and teach accordingly. He not only dedicated himself to the students about also to the performing arts community. A teacher like him would be hard to come by. I have been very lucky to be able to learn a lot and put them in my pocket. I teach students to share their experiences, pass them on to the next generation, and follow the example of King Sir." Tse Kwan Ho said that if Chung King Fai's family has any need, he and his classmates would be willing to help; but for the time being, the funeral arrangements of his teacher remained unknown. Even if they would be on the days of his performance, he would still make time to attend and pay his respect.

Wai Law Sha and AK revealed that the stage had a large-scale contraption and action scene. For the first night of the performance they would inevitably be a little nervous, but believed that everyone would put safety first. AK said, "For a concert I usually rise from under the stage, but this time for the stage contraption I would descend from above. Some dangerous stunts would be left to the professional stunt team." In the play AK and Wai Law Sha would play an ambiguous romance. He was a little shy at first, but she took a bold step, touched his face and grabbed him by the waist. With the interaction between them and the rehearsals they started to become familiar and hoped that they would have a chemical reaction this time. Therefore during the performance they no longer showed any embarrassment.

Referring to the sudden dissolution of MIRROR teammate Stanley Yau Si Chun's fan club and Edan Lui Cheuk On's "Haters theory" that has upset fans, AK said he only paid attention to the performance of the Yau Si Chun starred drama "COURT!". Coupled with focusing on the preparation of the stage recently, he has not paid attention to too many reports. He was uncertain about the incident so he was not at liberty to comment. "They are big boys, I believe that they will deal with it themselves."

Wai Law Sha was not worried about co-star Kot Man Fai's "improvisation" during the performance, saying that during interviews normally he seemed to have "gone to space", but when the rehearsal and performance, he would be very professional and follow the script exactly. In addition the script was an adaptation so he would not be arbitrarily modified it. Started in the Academy of Performing Arts, Wai Law Sha said that when she was studying Chung King Fai was no longer teaching. She was unable to have the opportunity to communicate with him, and unfortunately she did not have the opportunity to work with him. She was heartbroken by the passing of Chung King Fai, praised him for his great contribution to the Hong Kong show business community, and put a lot of love and effort into drama. She thanked this senior for everything he has done, without him she would not be standing here today.