80-Year-Old TV Legend Ha Yu Opens Up About Life, Death, and Career on 50th Anniversary
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Veteran Hong Kong actor Ha Yu, 80, has shared deeply personal reflections on mortality, family dynamics, and his celebrated acting career in a recent interview. The TV King award winner, currently starring in ViuTV drama Rainbow at Sunset alongside his eldest son Dixon Wong, revealed his fear of losing dignity in illness rather than death itself. Ha Yu admitted his decades-long work schedule created distance with his children, a regret he acknowledges despite his professional success.
Key Points
- Ha Yu, 80, is currently appearing in ViuTV drama Rainbow at Sunset, marking his first on-screen collaboration with eldest son Dixon Wong, who personally recommended his father to the director
- The actor married at 42 and raised two sons and one daughter; his wife took the children overseas for education while Ha Yu remained in Hong Kong during his peak working years
- Ha Yu expressed his philosophy on death: "I am not afraid of dying, only of not dying," worrying about losing dignity if incapacitated and requiring others for basic care
- Regarding his health regimen, Ha Yu jokes he has "none at all," eating fatty pork knuckles, durian, and lychee freely while maintaining a daily swimming habit for decades
- Starting his career with dreams of winning an Oscar within ten years, Ha Yu eventually treasured his TV King award after 40+ years in the industry, having scaled back his ambitions over time
Why It Matters
Ha Yu's candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into the emotional realities of veteran actors who prioritized career over family, a theme that resonates with Hong Kong's work culture. His journey from ambitious newcomer to respected elder statesman illustrates the evolving priorities and wisdom that come with aging in the entertainment industry. The collaboration with his son Dixon also symbolizes reconciliation and healing within families separated by career demands, providing a touching narrative for Hong Kong audiences navigating similar tensions.
Ha Yu's candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into the emotional realities of veteran actors who prioritized career over family, a theme that resonates with Hong Kong's work culture. His journey from ambitious newcomer to respected elder statesman illustrates the evolving priorities and wisdom that come with aging in the entertainment industry. The collaboration with his son Dixon also symbolizes reconciliation and healing within families separated by career demands, providing a touching narrative for Hong Kong audiences navigating similar tensions.