Renowned Hong Kong drama master Chung King-hui, known as “King Sir,” passed away at the age of 89, his nephew announced the sad news on June 3.
Chung King-hui’s health had been a concern in recent years. In 2016, he was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent minimally invasive surgery. After recovering, he starred in the TVB drama “The Diva Steals the Show,” but due to his declining physical condition, he was absent from all promotional activities when the series aired. He then lived a low-profile life, with the drama becoming his swan song.
Chung King-hui dedicated his life to the performing arts and was highly respected in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. In 1958, he studied drama at Yale University in the United States, earning a master’s degree. Upon returning home, he integrated advanced Western theatrical theories into Hong Kong’s performing arts.
In 1970, Chung King-hui co-founded the TVB Artist Training Class, which discovered and cultivated numerous stars in the Hong Kong film and television industry. There are reports that in those days, Chow Yun-fat almost didn’t get accepted into the acting class, but Chung King-hui, with his keen eye, went against the opposition and advocated for Chow’s admission, saying, “I think Chow Yun-fat has good looks and potential, so I gave him a chance.”
During his 18-year tenure as the head of the Drama School at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Chung King-hui nurtured countless Hong Kong stars such as Anthony Wong, Nancy Sit, Ray Lui, Lydia Shum, Chan Kwok-bong, Vivian Chow, Michael Wong, and Lawrence Ng.
Apart from his teaching achievements, Chung King-hui’s personal performances were well-known, including TV series like “Sweet Grandfather” and “The Gourmet,” and films such as “Tiger Cage,” “God of Gamblers III: Back to Shanghai,” “Black Hat,” and “Spacked Out.” He also ventured into the realm of stage plays, directing and acting in productions like “Dreams End in West Kowloon,” “Snow Dance of the Swords,” and “Sons of Heaven.”
Chung King-hui, who worked tirelessly in the entertainment industry for decades, was regarded as a “scandal-resistant figure.” Among his rare romantic anecdotes, there was only one rumored relationship with the late veteran actress Shu Xingxuan in 1977, a story later mentioned in Chan Chi-wan’s “Chi-wan’s Feast.” He remained unmarried throughout his life, had no children, and he once said in his lifetime that he did not feel lonely, was not afraid of aging, and jokingly remarked that his “children were all under the spotlight on the stage.”
The first graduate of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Anthony Wong, posted a photo of Chung King-hui on Facebook, mourning, “King Sir, with heavy hearts, we will forever miss you, remember your teachings, and continue to strive on the path of drama. The eternal mentor with students scattered across the world.”
Actress Li Sze-chi, who regarded Chung King-hui as her teacher, said, “He is a teacher I greatly admire. He is focused and serious in his work, patient in teaching actors, a true master of drama. In my career, I was fortunate to have met such a great teacher, and I will always remember and admire him!”
Veteran actress Liza Wang expressed her feelings, “The news came suddenly, his contributions and influence in the Hong Kong theater industry were significant. We collaborated in the play ‘Scenery of a Small Town’ in the past, and later had many chances to interact at TVB.”
Eric Tsang, who played Chung King-hui’s son in the TV series “Top Bet,” cherished the opportunity and sought advice from his senior whenever he wanted to film dramas or movies. He said, “In my mind, he is a sage, and his kindness will never be forgotten.”
Hong Kong TV king Wayne Lai, who worked with Chung King-hui in “Come Home Love: Dinner at 8” and “Deep in the Realm of Conscience,” said, “It is a great loss, may he rest in peace.”
Matthew Cheung, who was fortunate to work with Chung King-hui in his last work “The Diva Steals the Show,” said, “King Sir, when filming this drama after a serious illness, he was in high spirits and very professional at the time, even though he was unwell, he still insisted on performing well in all scenes, on time, and was very kind to his juniors.”
Michael Tse shared a photo of himself in a graduation gown from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with Chung King-hui, penning a long tribute to the legendary drama master: “He returned to Hong Kong with profound knowledge and simple ideals, establishing the TVB Artist Training Class and the Drama School at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, unprecedentedly providing professional systematic education and training for theatrical talents. From then on, people from different backgrounds who loved drama, like ‘mutants’ entering the X-Men school, finally had books to read, dreams to pursue, found classmates, and discovered like-minded individuals! Among them are me and my teachers and fellow brothers and sisters.”
At the end of the tribute, Michael Tse wrote affectionately, “King Sir, we thank you! King Sir, we miss you! May you continue to perform your favorite roles and pursue dreams on the stage of heaven!”