[2026.08.07] PETER LAI'S SON HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TO CLARIFY RUMORS AFTER HIS PASSING

The lyricists of a generation Peter Lai will be greatly missed

Sam Hui and Peter Lai were the best partner in music and lyrics. Now he personally writes an eulogy to mourn him

Eric Chung and Peter Lai's son Lai Shu Tak speak at the press conference

Bosco Wong says his godfather's work and laughter will always remain with everyone

Peter Lai took part in the series LO AND BEHOLD
courtesy of on.cc

Vicky Chan regrets not being able to have dinner with Peter Lai again
courtesy of on.cc

Peter Lai passed away from illness at age 76

Sam Hui after learning about comrade Peter Lai's passing personally writes a letter in mourning

Eric Chung (left) holds a press conference with Peter Lai's son Peter Shu Tak

Peter Lai, Joseph Koo, James Wong, Lo Kwok Jim and Cheng Kwok Kong were important creators of the Hong Kong music industry at the time

Bosco Wong and Peter Lai collaborated on WARS OF IN-LAWS and called each other godfather and godson

Peter Lai, Law Lok Lam, Lau Tan and Chan Wing Chun form "Four Great Fortunes" in LO AND BEHOLD. Lau Tan and Law Lok Lam both express regret over the passing of their former colleague Peter Lai
courtesy of mingpao.com

Hong Kong music master lyricist Peter Lai Pei Tak passed away from illness the day before at the age of 76. Lai Pei Tak's son, Lai Shu Tak, met the press with Eric Chung Chi Kwong yesterday afternoon to explain Lai Pei Tak's condition for the past month and subsequent funeral arrangements, and to clarify some false rumors.

Lai Shu Tak first recounted the death of his father. "At 11:00 a.m. on August 5th, Lai Pei Tak passed away due to illness at the Lai King Building in Princess Margaret Hospital. Currently we are still emotional and hope everyone would be considerate, give us a little space. The funeral is under arrangement and yet to be announced; the actual situation is that on March 23rd, Mr. Lai Pei Tak was sent to the Yan Chai Hospital Chinachem Care and Attention Home. On April 30th in the middle of the night he was rush to the hospital for treatment of ischemic stroke and his condition was stable. On June 8th he was transferred to he Lai King Building for recovery, unfortunately he finally succumbed to illness." He gave special thanks to the medical staff.

Subsequently, Lai Pei Tak's friend Chung Chi Kwong added that Lai Pei Tak's family hoped to deal with the aftermath in a low-key way. However, due to the emergence of some different reports, he stressed that only what he and Lai Shu Tak said yesterday, and what everyone saw Lai Pei Tak personally said in some videos in the past, were true. Chung Chi Kwong specifically mentioned that Lai Pei Tak was rumored to be doing "very badly" financially. Chung Chi Kwong clarified that there was no such thing. "Ever since I have known him, he (Lai Pei Tak) has never asked me to borrow a single dime. Once he was discharged from the Prince of Wales Hospital and he did not bring a credit card, I helped him charge HK$ 4,500. The next time we met, he already returned the cash to me; so the outside rumors about him having financial problems, this definitely is not the case." He also mentioned that Lai Pei Tak did not take the initiative to ask rich businessman Joseph Lau Luen Hung for help. "Lai Pei Tak wasn't the one who looked for Lau Luen Hung, it was Lau Luen Hung who took the initiative to find him through his foundation or secretary, and said that what he appreciated the most about Lai Pei Tak was not his lyrics, but Lai Pei Tak's performance in THE YUPPIE FANTASIA (SIU NAM YUN JAU GEI). He thought that this person was worth helping, and Lai Pei Tak wasn't the one who took the initiative to ask for help. Thus many reporters were untrue."

Lai Pei Tak and Sam Hui Koon Kit collaborated countless times in the past, and were hailed as the golden partner of the pop music industry. Hui Koon Kit would deeply miss his late friend, and wrote a note in particular to pay tribute to this former comrade. He wrote in the note, "Peter, have a safe journey! Thank you for creating countless wonderful works for the Hong Kong music industry, your lyrics are conventional but not crass, the vivid image of LEGEND OF THE MAHJONG HEROES, the clarity of WORLD LIKE CHESS, the deep love of DIMPLE SMILE, the open-mindedness of VOICE OF THE PRODIGAL SON, I am grateful to have you on my musical journey!"

After 7 year of collaboration they broke up and were rumored to be at odds. Lai Pei Tak once personally explained his relationship with Hui Koon Kit. "In response to many online requests that want to know about my relationship with Hui Koon Kit. Actually it had more good than bad. You of course would say I am kissing up. Actually it isn't at all. Why? Because with any friend, as long as everyone get too close they definitely would have good and bad. As for whether Sam has any complaint about me, I don't know. However I am very grateful to him, we are not enemies at all!"

Chung Chi Kwong pointed out that after the death of Lai Pei Tak, Hui Koon Koon also spoke on the Internet. He believed that Hui Koon Kit was the most qualified to talk about Lai Pei Tak. In the 1970s and 1980s, Lai Pei Tak's lyrics had an influence on contemporary Hong Kong people, and in particular, he incorporated Cantonese into pop songs and was one of the behind-the-scenes drivers of Cantonese culture in Guangdong. He also pointed out that Lai Pei Tak seemed to be lackadaisical and lunatic, but he was very serious about his lyrics and how he handled things. From his writing of LEGEND OF MAHJONG HEROES, the lyrics were organized and could really build a mahjong hnad. He once said that he built the song in front of a mahjong set. Chung Chi Kwong also mentioned that Lai Pei Tak did not graduated from primary school with his education, but its Cantonese rhyme was clever because he was deeply influenced by the Cantonese opera elder "Uncle Four" Lan Chi Pat. When he was a child he frequented the opera troupe and was well versed with operas and even Tang Ti Sheng's scripts. Coupled with the fact that Lai Pei Tak read newspaper while helping his family at its newspaper stall, during his lyricists age many compared to him to James Wong Jim, Lo Kwok Jim and Cheng Kwok Kong. Yet actually each had their expertise. Lai Pei Tak in particular preserved the Cantonese opera culture, and he should be credited with the legacy in this area.

Chung Chi Kwong praised Lai Pei Tak for his connection with people. While at the nursing home he received visits from Myolie Wu Hung Yi, Marianne Chan Miu Ying with food and fruits. While at the hospital he also had visits from Angelina Lo Yuen Yen, Cecilia So Yan Chee, Joseph Yeung Shui Lun, Angela Tong Ying Ying, Mandy Lam Suk Man, etc. and also text messages from Pal Sinn Lap Man and his former colleagues at Commercial Radio. A retired TVB photographer also provided transportation for Lai Pei Tak three times a week for dialysis. Chung Chi Kwong said that he had the privilege of knowing this friend Lai Pei Tak, and fought side by side on the final 12 episodes program of his life. On the episode released on June 11, the final appearance of Lai Pei Tak, he and Chung Chi Kwong talked about the World Cup and even predicted that Spain would win. The episode was recorded on March 9th.

Did Lai Pei Tak have any last words? Chung Chi Kwong said that after Lai Pei Tak was sent to the hospital after a stroke on April 30, he could not communicate with his words. They just met for tea a few days before admission, but he did not think that the situation would change so rapidly. At that time he was also gossiping like usual, which was a bit regrettable. His son Lai Shu Tak revealed that he has been with his father until the last moment. Lai Shu Tak said, "He was great to me, a great person, and we will always miss him." Referring to reports that Lai Pei Tak has been paying for his son's cred card bills in the past, Lai Shu Tak clarified that most of the reports were untrue and exaggerated, and the card bills his father covered was for his school cost and living expenses; Chung Chi Kwong also clarified that Lai Shu Tak studied in Nanjing before, and of course, as a student he needed to pay for school. As a father Lai Pei Tak provided what his son needed regardless. Lai Shu Tak added that this happened in the past 5 years, but for now the family had no financial problem. At present he was still looking for a job, he explained that he has been looking for the job because his father needed help due to dialysis and his father also wanted him to be around. He also said that his father told him to take care of himself in the future. Regarding the royalty of Lai Pei Tak's song, Lai Shu Tak said that his father had a sudden stroke so he did not explain how to deal with it.

Godson Bosco Wong Chung Chak met Lai Pei Tak while working on the TVB drama WAR OF IN-LAWS in 2004 and called each other godfather and godson. They were very close. He said, "The elder is gone, give some time for his family to handle the affairs first!" He then said, "Godfather left us. Although I really miss him, but with Godfather's dashing and laugh at life personality I believe he wouldn't want anyone to be unhappy. His classic lyrics, film and television work, laughter and his spirt would always be with us!"

Over his years in the business, Lai Pei Tak not only participated in behind the scene work but also many film and television performance. Due to his humorous nature, he constantly brought joy to everyone, frequently lent a helping hand to his juniors and loved by his colleagues. Thus after his passing, many friends in the business mourned him online. Playing "Little Mrs. Lung" in LO AND BEHOLD, Vicky Chan Sze Yan posted a photo on social network and wrote, "Green Light Forever. I remember that Mid Autumn's Festival, after everyone got off work, you actually said that you would go to my family Mid Autumn Festival dinner. Since then, you have become our family 'green lit' 'so-called boyfriend'. Sorry, I was thinking about asking you this Mid Autumn's Festival, I am too late. The forever genius Brother Peter, green light, we will always miss you."

"Poon Kam Lin" in the same series, Kiko Leung Yan also visited him at the hospital. She said, "Whiling at the hospital, at the time I really didn't want to take pictures because I hope you can be discharged with all the energy and take pictures when we would have dinner again. At the end of January dinner, I thought your hospital discharge was good news, I really didn't think that the when we want to set up the next one there wouldn't be a next one." She also revealed, "You are the best elder I have ever met, constantly using funny and humorous ways to teach us acting. Constantly arguing with you on the set became a habit, making the shoot everyday a joy."

"Sung Shui Fai" Jack Hui Ka Kit said that he would miss Lai Pei Tak as the undiscounted great person. "He was an elder who was really smart and took are of people. When I listened to his past work, I really appreciated his talent. Even though he is gone, I believe that his work and his laughter would always stay in our hearts." He posted photos of him celebrating Lai Pei Tak's birthday with Lam Suk Man and from the show on social platforms. "Thank you Brother Peter (Mr. Lai Pei Tak) for bringing us your classic work and your smile. To be able to work with him has been our honor."

Once his tour guide and taking him on vacation in mainland, Bob Cheung Pok Yin was grateful to have met him. "When I heard your stories and sharing your voice of the prodigal son, learning as you live......I have benefit greatly from you. Have a safe journey. Thank you."

In 2017 he joined the series LO AND BEHOLD. As "Uncle Panther" he and "Uncle Gun" Lau Tan, "Big Mr. Lung" Law Lok Lam and "Tam To Tak" Chan Wing Chun formed "Four Great Joys". The 4 senior actors often dressed up in ridiculous costumes to sing and dance. However, in 2021 Lai Pei Tak took time off from the show for an operation to clear arterial blockage in his heart. As he gradually recovered he did not receive any assignment. Reportedly he once asked executives for help but received the cold shoulder. Finally in 2023 he officially left the company.

Lau Tan was heartbroken. He admitted, "Chung Chi Kwong told me, because when he visited Peter, at the time Peter already couldn't recognize anyone. Sigh......turning out like this and I still didn't visit him, because I didn't feel comfortable with it. Actually he was sick for so long, it could be considered a type of release." Chan Wing Chun said, "At the time Chung Chi Kwong told us, he was admitted into a nursing home because he needed dialysis everyday. Earlier he also said that he had a stroke and was already half paralyzed. We didn't visit him because we knew he wasn't conscious." Law Lok Lam said that Lai Pei Tak really liked to play, "all crazy" and had a lot of fun. He made great contributions to the industry and his passing was regrettable. He admitted that working at the same company and same series, meeting was a type of destiny and wished him a safe journey.

The expressive verse of VOICE OF THE PRODIGAL SON came from the pen of Lai Pei Tak. Lai Pei Tak wrote more than 200 song lyrics in his life, and his collaborators include Sam Hui Koon Kit, Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing, Anita Mui Yim Fong, Alan Tam Wing Lun and other kings and queens of Hong Kong music, including the classics of "The Voice of the Prodigal Son", "Here Comes The God of Fortune", "Half Catty Eight Tael", "Monica", "Cleave the Iceberg" and so on. He was an important promoter of the golden era of Cantonese music in the 1970s and 1980s.

Lai Pei Tak's creative style was unique. He and James Wong Jim were the first generation of Cantonese pop song lyricists in Hong Kong, supporting half of the golden age of Cantonese lyrics. Although the two were peers, their origins greatly differed; in comparison Wong Jim was a Hong Kong University graduate and son of a rich businessman, his words were magnificent. Lai Pei Tak lost his father at the age of 9, only had some primary school education, and worked hard from the experience of the wooden house area, the newspaper stall and the taxi driver, and the city's atmosphere and the philosophy of life were molten into words. He was appreciated for his self-study contributions, then received a helping hand from the Wynners' Anthony Chan Yau and Hui Koon Kit and eventually became a lyricists of a generation. Born from the grass root, he could not only write the deep understanding of "The Voice of The Prodigal Son" but also the delicate gentleness of "Dimple Smile". He and Hui Koon Kit were the best partners, and have co-created countless classics such as "Here Comes The God of Fortune", "Half Catty Eight Tael", "Legend of Mahjong Heroes", "Drink When You Have Wine", "Brother Student", "World Like Chess", among which "Here Goes The God of Fortune" has become the immortal representative of the Cantonese Lunar New Year song. Wong Jim once gave a very high evaluation to Lai Pei Tak. "I can write the words of several other lyricists, but not Lai Pei Tak's", because Lai Pei Tak's words were "too Hong Kong flavor" and truly understood Hong Kong's grassroots culture.

In the 1980s, Lai Pei Tak wrote "Monica" for Cheung Kwok Wing, which was based on his own experience of a broken heart from his girlfriend of three years. The emotional injury has not healed, but in response to the request of Michael Lai Siu Tin he wrote a happy fast song. The result was a unique way to write a man's regret for the lost love, and surprisingly created a new direction of Cantonese fast song. He wrote "Cleave the Iceberg" for Mui Yim Fong, and wrote "A Goose on the Edge of the Sky" and "Lover Goddess" for Tam Wing Lun, all of which became their representative work. In 2008, Lai Pei Tak was awarded the Music Achievement Award by CASH for his outstanding contribution.

In addition to the lyrics, Lai Pei Tak was also a famous "licorice actor" (support player), participated in Stephen Chow Sing Chi's movies like FLIRTING SCHOLAR (TONG BAK FU DIM CHAU HEUNG) and FIGHT BACK TO SCHOOL (TOH HOK WAI LUNG) and excelled in playing the grass-root witty minor roles. In 2017, he appeared in the TVB situation drama LO AND BEHOLD, playing the role of "Uncle Panther". The character was straightforward and explosive, but also with the savvy and sense of humor of little people. This role also became the most familiar masterpiece of his later years. Last year his HOY TV drama KOWLOON MY CITY became his final television drama that aired. He also guest starred in ViuiTV drama like MARGARET AND DAVID TIE.

Lai Pei Tak married his former wife after two months of dating and had a son. The marriage ended after 3 years. After divorce he raised their son alone.