Actor Cheng Dong Opens Bar in Zhongshan After Stephen Chow Collaboration Ended Over Pay Dispute
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong actor Cheng Dong, widely recognized for his memorable villain roles in Stephen Chow's 1990s comedy films, has expanded into nightlife entrepreneurship by opening a bar in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province. The grand opening on September 30, 2026 drew numerous film industry acquaintances, with Ng Chi-hung, the actor who played "Big Boss B" in the Young and Dangerous series, joining Cheng for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and even taking drumsticks to entertain the crowd during a lion dance performance. Sources indicate Cheng's collaboration with Stephen Chow ceased after Cheng's market value increased following his breakthrough role as the one-eyed psychic "Big Army" in the Gambler franchise. Now 65, Cheng relocated to Guangzhou with his wife and two daughters, successfully monetizing his classic Hong Kong cinema legacy through mainland performances and online content.
Key Points
- Cheng Dong, 65, known for "Big Army" in Stephen Chow's Gambler films, invested in and opened a bar in Zhongshan on September 30, 2026
- The opening ceremony featured a lion dance performance, with Ng Chi-hung (Wu Zhixiong) cutting the ribbon alongside Cheng and even playing the drums to boost the festive atmosphere
- Other industry figures in attendance included Wong Chun-fung, He Jun-xuan, and Cheng Zhi-yu, according to Cheng's Weibo posts documenting the event
- Cheng revealed he was effectively abandoned by Stephen Chow after achieving fame, with the star allegedly finding him "too expensive" as his asking price increased
- Since marrying Liu Yajun in 2011 (19 years his junior), Cheng has settled in Guangzhou with their two daughters, actively developing his entertainment career across mainland China
Why It Matters
Cheng Dong's successful transition from Hong Kong villain actor to mainland entrepreneur illustrates how aging Hong Kong film industry talent continues leveraging nostalgic appeal in the Greater Bay Area entertainment market. His experience with Stephen Chow—rising to fame only to be sidelined over salary concerns—reflects the complex dynamics between comedic stars and their frequent collaborators in Hong Kong cinema's ecosystem.
Cheng Dong's successful transition from Hong Kong villain actor to mainland entrepreneur illustrates how aging Hong Kong film industry talent continues leveraging nostalgic appeal in the Greater Bay Area entertainment market. His experience with Stephen Chow—rising to fame only to be sidelined over salary concerns—reflects the complex dynamics between comedic stars and their frequent collaborators in Hong Kong cinema's ecosystem.