entertainment · SingTao

77-Year-Old Gigi Wong Returns to TVB, Explains Career Sacrifice for Family

about 3 hours ago2 MIN
77-Year-Old Gigi Wong Returns to TVB, Explains Career Sacrifice for Family

Summary

Veteran Hong Kong actress Wong Suk-yi (Gigi Wong), 77, recently returned from Canada to Hong Kong for gatherings with friends, marking her first local media appearances in years. She appeared on veteran producer Yang Shaohong's YouTube channel and TVB's Style Magazine program, candidly discussing her decision to leave Hong Kong during her acting peak. Wong revealed she quit her career to support her husband's move to Vancouver for academic and medical research work, stating she prioritized her family's wellbeing over her own ambitions. The actress also recounted how she publicly criticized TVB after her son was reportedly "frozen" for refusing to sign an exclusive contract.

Key Points

  • Gigi Wong, now 77, has not filmed a TVB drama since 2018's Days of Glory, with her cooking and lifestyle shows also significantly reduced
  • When persuaded by Yang Shaohong to return to acting, she listed stringent requirements: a good script, quality co-stars, and a director willing to cast an older actress
  • Wong emphasized she does not insist on lead roles, only requesting characters with substance: "I don't mind playing a role that dies in one scene, as long as its presence drives the plot forward"
  • She chose to immigrate to Vancouver during her peak years because her husband received an invitation to teach and conduct medical research there, deciding family unity took precedence
  • Wong publicly blasted TVB's practices after her son, actor Chui Siu-ping, was reportedly "benched" for refusing to sign a long-term contract around 2000

Why It Matters

Wong's return to local television after nearly a decade highlights the ongoing challenges Hong Kong actors face in balancing career longevity with family obligations. Her candid reflections on choosing family over fame offer a rare glimpse into the personal sacrifices behind successful entertainment careers in the city.
Wong's return to local television after nearly a decade highlights the ongoing challenges Hong Kong actors face in balancing career longevity with family obligations. Her candid reflections on choosing family over fame offer a rare glimpse into the personal sacrifices behind successful entertainment careers in the city.