Hong Kong Actor Steven Zhang Reveals Dire Poverty, Refuses Welfare Despite Million-Dollar Debt
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong actor Steven Zhang (Cheung Chi-hang) and his wife, Aqua Man (Au Yin-man), have four sons, yet the family of six has been trapped in financial hardship and domestic turmoil in recent years. Burdened with millions in debt, Zhang recently shared the painful details of their frugality, revealing they once bought only a ten-dollar pork chop to feed their four young children . Even in such dire circumstances, Zhang refuses to apply for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA), attributing his stance to childhood trauma when his father received welfare and young Steven had to perform community service by picking up trash at the beach . The couple's struggles are compounded by their children's health issues: their eldest son Tin-bou suffers from anxiety and emotional problems, their second son Tin-muk has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, and their third son Tin-long was born premature with respiratory difficulties requiring nightly oxygen support . Zhang confessed that he often feels overwhelmed, spending nights praying on the balcony after his children fall asleep: "Every night I pray to Jesus—please take me away, I don't want to be a burden, please take me away." Despite his wife's frequent online venting, Zhang refuses divorce to spare his children from single-parent upbringing, though he admitted: "If I had the choice, I would rather they had never been born, rather than having them suffer alongside me."
Key Points
- Steven Zhang carries millions in debt and once could only afford a single ten-dollar pork chop for his four sons .
- Zhang refuses CSSA because his father received it, forcing young Steven to do beach cleanup community service .
- Their second son Tin-muk has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, requiring constant parental attention .
- Zhang confessed he regrets not properly explaining his scandal to close friend Kenny Kwan (Kwan Chi-bun) .
- The "sex addiction" label originated from a careless response to a reporter's question during his TVB appearance .
Why It Matters
Zhang's candid revelations expose the hidden struggles faced by families navigating poverty while caring for children with special needs in Hong Kong. His decision to reject welfare, though personal, reflects broader societal stigma surrounding CSSA and questions about self-reliance versus accepting government support. The interview also reignites discussions about celebrity accountability and the lasting impact of public scandals on personal relationships and professional reputation.
Zhang's candid revelations expose the hidden struggles faced by families navigating poverty while caring for children with special needs in Hong Kong. His decision to reject welfare, though personal, reflects broader societal stigma surrounding CSSA and questions about self-reliance versus accepting government support. The interview also reignites discussions about celebrity accountability and the lasting impact of public scandals on personal relationships and professional reputation.