Raymond Lam: He could've inherited millions—instead, he broke free of his family's legacy to rule TV, Film, and Music as Hong Kong's only ‘King of Chok'

Independent Singapore

6 days ago

If you were born into a wealthy family and practically had a skyscraper with your name on it, would you trade it all to become just a background actor on television? You'd probably not.
But believe it or not, Raymond Lam actually just did that!
Long before he became known as Hong Kong's 'King of Chok'—a title that means so cool it hurts—Lam was expected to inherit his father's vast property empire. The path was neatly paved: elite education, family fortune, business suits. But instead of following in his billionaire dad's footsteps, Lam traded boardrooms for green rooms and became a superstar of screen and stage. From heir to extra… and then, from extra to idol!
Raymond Lam Fung was born in 1979 in Xiamen, China, and moved to Hong Kong at age two. His father, Lam Kwok-Wah, was a real estate mogul dubbed 'the Li Ka-Shing of Xiamen,' his KProfiles record states. That made young Raymond something of a property prince. But while he could've coasted into a life of deals and dividends, he had other plans—ones involving lights, cameras, and a whole lot of drama. Photo: FB/林峯 Raymond Lam
We also found out from Scratchpad that in 1998, he quietly enrolled in TVB's Artist Training Class—Hong Kong's unofficial fame factory—where hopefuls start as extras and claw their way up the ladder. Lam, with his chiselled cheekbones and surprisingly earnest charm, did just that. He began with blink-and-you'll-miss-it roles, the kind where you pour tea in the background or just die dramatically five minutes…
But he had something most extras don't: staying power! Breakthrough and the rise of King of Chok's power
In 2001, Lam got his first big break in A Step into the Past , a time-travel epic where he played the young version of Qin Shi Huang. That glimpse of royal charisma caught producers' attention, and he soon landed his first leading role in Eternal Happiness . By 2003, he was winning awards for Survivor's Law , where he played a fresh-faced lawyer with a moral compass and dreamy eyes. Photo: FB/林峯 Raymond Lam
Then came the hits: La Femme Desperado (2006), the year's most-watched drama, and Moonlight Resonance (2008), which broke viewership records. But The Mysteries of Love (2010) made Lam a meme-worthy legend.
His role? A genius physicist who solves crimes with logic and cheekbones. His vibe? So emotionally intense and stylish, viewers coined a new term: 'chok.' It's Hong Kong slang for looking effortlessly cool—even if it means brooding in slow motion while staring into space. And just like that, Raymond Lam wasn't just an actor anymore—he was the Chok King. Wait, he can sing too? Oh yes, he can!
As if being a heartthrob on TV wasn't enough, Lam turned up the volume—literally—by diving into Cantopop. His music career kicked off in 2007 with his debut album Finding Love in Memories , a soft blend of ballads that tugged at heartstrings. Turns out, he could sing just as well as he could smoulder. Photo: FB/林峯 Raymond Lam
He followed it up with hit albums like Your Love and Come 2 Me , performing in sold-out arenas and swooning fans left and right. His romantic tunes and emotive delivery earned him the 'Most Popular Male Singer' award, which cemented his status as a double threat.
Not bad for a guy who was supposed to be running luxury condos. The silver screen and Mainland fame
Lam didn't stop at TV and music. He debuted his film in romantic comedies like Perfect Wedding and fantasy adventures like The Jade and the Pearl . Soon, he appeared in Mainland Chinese dramas and big-budget epics like Saving General Yang and The Virtuous Queen of Han .
His bilingual fluency, good looks, and box-office appeal made him a cross-border sensation. He even cracked the Forbes China Celebrity 100 list , proving that being chok wasn't just a Hong Kong thing—it was a full-blown phenomenon. Real Estate royalty? Nah, showbiz rebellion is more like it…
Here's the twist that makes his story even juicier: Lam walked away from a guaranteed spot in the family business. While many in his position would have opted for board meetings and yacht parties, he went all-in on fame, fans, and emotional monologues.
Was it a risk? Absolutely. But it paid off—big time. Photo: FB/林峯 Raymond Lam
It's quite obvious that Lam wants to earn his own place, not just inherit one. It wasn't about rebelling against his family—it was about proving to himself, and the world, that he could succeed on his own terms. Marriage, maturity, and making moves
According to his KProfiles record, in 2019, Lam tied the knot with Chinese model Carina Zhang, and the couple welcomed their first child in 2020. While his image had always been that of the mysterious bachelor, fans warmly embraced this new chapter. His on-screen charisma evolved too—less chok for the sake of chok, more thoughtful, seasoned performances.
In recent years, he's been more selective about his roles. He returned to TVB with Line Walker: Bull Fight and continues to perform music, take on film projects, and make high-profile appearances. These days, he doesn't need to chok—he just is. Case in point
In 2024, he returned to the big screen with Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In , a gritty martial arts blockbuster that shattered box office records and clinched Best Film at the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards , as reported by the South China Morning Post 's Profile. It became one of the city's highest-grossing local films of all time—yet another reminder that Lam knows exactly when to strike. Legacy of the 'Chok' King
Raymond Lam's career is proof that success isn't always about following the script written for you. He had a golden ticket to the corporate elite but chose auditions, fan meets, and late-night rehearsals instead. And while chok might have started as a meme, Lam turned it into a brand—a mix of suave style, emotional depth, and undeniable charm.
So, whether he delivers heart-wrenching lines in a courtroom drama, serenades fans with a ballad, or gives off brooding energy in a slow zoom, Raymond Lam is a symbol of calculated rebellion and artistic reinvention.
And in a city where everyone wants to play it safe, being chok might just be the boldest move of all.