Veteran Hong Kong star Carina Lau, who has been in the entertainment industry for over 40 years, recently shared on Instagram a photo of an old 500 Hong Kong dollar bill from her first paycheck in 1983, which netizens dubbed as “the big shot back then.” She disclosed that her monthly salary back then was only 2,000 Hong Kong dollars but she chose to keep this large denomination bill. Holding it in her hand now brings back a flood of memories and emotions.
At 59 years old, Carina Lau joined TVB Artist Training Class in 1982 and officially debuted in 1983. She revealed on IG that her salary at the time was only 2,000 Hong Kong dollars, and retaining this 500-dollar old bill was a significant decision. While it may not seem like a large sum back then, she is still willing to keep it till now. Holding it today carries profound meaning, not only evoking emotions but also representing memories of youth.
Carina Lau, who moved from Suzhou to Hong Kong with her parents at a young age, rose to fame in 1990 but faced a shocking incident when she was kidnapped by the triad for refusing to star in terrible movies. On November 3, 2002, a massive protest involving celebrities like Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung demanded justice against a magazine that published inappropriate photos of Carina Lau following her kidnapping. Due to the strong backlash from Hong Kong celebrities and the public, the magazine had to announce its closure under public pressure.
In an interview with Tencent’s program “Peak Q&A,” Carina Lau openly discussed her kidnapping experience in 1990. Despite going through a difficult phase, she admitted that the incident helped her grow and find peace. “Because of that incident, I matured, and I became more optimistic. I have forgiven everyone, including the ones who kidnapped me,” she said. She added, “I now understand that the bigger the challenges and hardships we face, the more helpful it is for our lives. I believe I can survive anywhere now.”
After the video release, there was a heated discussion among netizens praising Carina Lau for her bravery and resilience, while some questioned why the program delved into past wounds. Responding to comments on her Weibo, Carina Lau expressed, “For me, that incident is long gone. What I can’t get over is the media.”
Carina Lau and Tony Leung’s love story endured a 20-year courtship before they officially tied the knot in 2008. Despite their contrasting personalities, they decided to spend their lives together because, as Carina revealed, she was deeply touched by a statement Tony Leung made many years ago.
Reflecting on her career, Carina Lau recalled that her biggest crisis was the kidnapping incident. During that tumultuous period, Tony Leung, at the peak of his career, put everything aside to stand by her side, saying, “This industry is too complicated; let’s leave. Wherever you want to go, I will accompany you.” This statement convinced Carina that Tony Leung was the right person she could trust for a lifetime.
In the eyes of outsiders, Carina Lau and Tony Leung are a quintessential example of a complementary couple, with one being fiery and the other cool, but they have a harmonious relationship, as loving as ever. Last October, Carina Lau shared a photo with Tony Leung on social media with the caption “16 years later.” While the location of the photo wasn’t disclosed, judging from the colorful flags and temple-like architecture in the background, it seems the couple revisited the place where they got married 16 years ago in Bhutan.