In a recent post on social media, Hong Kong actor Don, who debuted as a singer in 2003, shared a short video with the caption: “The road when respecting a faded actor comes.” He recalled a heartbreaking moment in his early 20s when his grandmother passed away. Wanting to take a day off to grieve, he was scolded by the company’s higher-ups, who said, “It’s your grandmother who died, not you.” Despite announcing his retirement from the industry, Don confessed that after over a decade as an actor, he still couldn’t afford a property. To achieve his dream, he now works five jobs, finding freedom in the hustle.
Don rose to fame in the entertainment industry with the drama series “When the Four-Leaf Clover Meets the Sword.” Subsequently, he joined an entertainment company and released his own music album. However, as his career did not progress as expected, he shifted his focus to Mainland China. Despite gaining recognition through various TV shows, his recent acting projects received mixed responses.
At 43, Don recently filmed a video announcing his formal departure from the entertainment industry. He revealed that he has been concentrating on running a small store and creating content online, occasionally performing cover songs to connect with his fans. His latest social media post, accompanied by the caption “The road when respecting a faded actor comes,” hinted at the challenges he faced during his journey.
Reflecting on a significant event from his early 20s, Don shared a poignant moment when his grandmother passed away the day after his birthday. Distraught, he sought a day off from work but was met with harsh criticism from his company’s executives: “Don, it’s your grandmother who died, not you. You have an hour to return to the office or you can say goodbye to your job.” This experience led him to question his self-worth, pushing him to strive to become irreplaceable and valuable in the eyes of others.
In the video, Don revealed that he works multiple jobs each day with the sole purpose of saving up to buy a property. Although he only mentioned four jobs in the video, the workload is already exhausting – from media interviews in Hong Kong and Taiwan to assisting in his company’s treatments, serving as a lecturer, and ending the day with live-streaming sales, often returning home past 2 a.m.
Many netizens who came across Don’s story offered words of encouragement, emphasizing that he is more than just a commodity. Some criticized the executives at his former company for their lack of empathy, suggesting that such leadership lacks basic humanity. Despite the challenges, Don feels content with his current lifestyle. In addition to interacting with fans and singing old songs occasionally, he embarked on a short spiritual retreat in India earlier this year, debunking rumors of entering monkhood due to heartbreak. He clarified that the experience was solely to enrich his life and holds no connection to romantic matters, expressing fulfillment and freedom in his current state.