Latest news with #RaymondLam
Independent Singapore
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
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'
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.
South China Morning Post
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
How Raymond Lam went from Hong Kong TV extra to film star, singer and the ‘King of Chok'
This is the 53rd instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. Advertisement Affectionately dubbed the 'King of Chok' – chok being a Cantonese slang term that means trying to look cool or handsome, often to the point of being pretentious or cocky – Raymond Lam Fung is one of Hong Kong's most successful entertainers of the 2000s. After training with Hong Kong broadcaster TVB at the beginning of his career, he made a name for himself as a television actor and cemented his status as a heartthrob through shows like La Femme Desperado, Moonlight Resonance and The Mysteries of Love. In the following years, Lam also became a Cantopop singer – music was his first love – and later ventured into the mainland Chinese market in the 2010s. Raymond Lam Fung made a name for himself as a television actor early in his career. Born in 1979 in Xiamen, in mainland China, Lam grew up as part of a wealthy family and moved to Hong Kong as a young child. As the eldest son of a property tycoon, he was expected to take over the family business when he became an adult. Advertisement
Independent Singapore
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Tavia Yeung joins Raymond Lam's concert crowd, ends night with bus ride to hotpot
HONG KONG: Hong Kong singer-actor Raymond Lam is one fortunate dude. His Hong Kong Coliseum concert wasn't just about awesome guest artists like his former co-star Linda Chung; he also had a huge crew of his famous pals there, totally rallying behind him, according to The Star. Talk about a great support system. Photo: Instagram/Tavia Yeung Out of all the people there on one of his concert nights, Tavia Yeung, a former TVB actress, was definitely among them. Long-time friends Yeung and Lam's friendship goes way back – almost 25 years, actually! They've been pals ever since they graduated from TVB's 13th acting class together. Their class really showed up in full force at the concert! We spotted so many familiar faces—Mat Yeung, Tsui Wing, Meini Cheung, Raymond Chiu, Jones Lee, Bond Chan, and Olivia Fu were all there too. It felt like a proper reunion. Apparently, Yeung was spotted at Lam's concert with some of her former classmates. And it's not surprising they're so close, considering they've actually acted together in a bunch of TVB dramas, including Golden Faith , Twin Of Brothers , Face To Fate , and The Mysteries Of Love. According to , Lam recognised Yeung in the crowd when she exclaimed, 'See you at hotpot later!' See also Moses Chan makes SGD5.2 million a year at TVB Hotpot after the concert And just like she said, fans later saw the actress going for hotpot after the and her friends took a public bus to their destination. She was actually wearing a purple face mask, but that didn't stop passengers on the bus from recognising her. Then, to make things even better, she posted a photo on Instagram showing her and her friends on their bus journey. 'What a night to remember! Lam's concert was incredible—he really gave it his all. And as if that wasn't enough, we headed straight to Tsui Wing's afterward for some mouthwatering hotpot. Seriously, it felt like Lam actually put together a full-on Hong Kong Coliseum reunion specifically for our 13th intake So special.' It was not certain if Lam joined Yeung for hotpot post-concert. It's actually not that surprising, given that Yeung has celebrated her birthday with her old TVB acting classmates before, instead of with her husband, actor Him Law. Tavia Yeung Sin-yiu (born August 30, 1979), also previously known as Tavia Yeung Yi, is a Hong Kong actress. She began her career after graduating from TVB's acting classes in 1999, initially appearing in music videos and as an extra in TV dramas. She gained recognition for her supporting role in Vigilante Force (2003), earning the TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Female Artiste. Notable works Her notable works include Moonlight Resonance (2008), Beyond the Realm of Conscience (2009), The Mysteries of Love (2010), The Hippocratic Crush (2012), and S ilver Spoon, Sterling Shackles (2012). Raymond Lam (born Dec 8, 1979) is a prominent Hong Kong actor and singer. He started his career in the entertainment industry after graduating from TVB's 13th acting class in 1998, initially taking on minor roles and hosting duties.
Independent Singapore
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Kate Tsui, the missing former TVB actress, finally spotted in a Parisian art museum
FRANCE: Has the 'missing person' former TVB actress Kate Tsui been found? Following former TVB actor Raymond Lam's recent performances in Hong Kong, people have started to remember his famous 'Let's Get Wet' duet with Tsui from the former's Light Up My Live program in 2012, as reported by 8Days. Photo: Instagram/Kate Tsui That triggered the question of where on earth Tsui is now. Back in 2019, the former TVB actress, now 45, stepped away from the entertainment world to pursue a PhD in psychology in Europe. Low profile Following that, she has maintained a low profile, except for one instance in 2022 when she attended a charity event in Malaysia. Not even her former co-stars are aware of her whereabouts. When Lam was questioned about Tsui after his concert, he referred to his Highs and Lows co-star as a 'missing person,' revealing that both he and fellow co-star Ron Ng are unaware of her current whereabouts. It's not just Lam, though. Ng also admitted in a past interview that he has been seriously trying to track Tsui down. He even went so far as to ask fans to please let her know he's looking for her if they ever bump into her. Additionally, it makes sense that he'd be keen to find her, especially since Ng played her love interest in numerous TVB dramas, including The Brink of Law (2007), Forensic Heroes III (2011), Wax and Wane (2011), and Season of Love (2019). Spotted in Paris Additionally, it appears that someone was quite fortunate to have recently met the anonymous celebrity. A netizen recently reported on Xiaohongshu that Tsui was spotted at an art museum in Paris. A photo of the star dressed in a white dress, staring intently at an exhibit, was posted on social media. To show just how worried they were about Tsui, one fan even quoted lines from Raymond Lam's song 'Done Being Naive,' which, fittingly enough, was the theme song for Highs and Lows . They wanted to know: 'Have you been happy in recent years? And have you been constantly busy?' Apparently, Hong Kong actress Jessica Hsuan is the only person who knows the whereabouts of Tsui all along. Hsuan is in touch with Tsui In a recent interview, Hsuan shared some good news: she's actually still in touch with Tsui. They clicked and became friends in 2009 while filming a travel show in East Africa. Hsuan also let slip that they've got a group chat going, but she wouldn't share much more, hinting that 'maybe [Kate] really wants to hide from the world.' When asked if there's any hope of her friend returning to showbiz, Hsuan simply said, 'If she's been so silent, I doubt she will.'
South China Morning Post
04-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Tally of Hong Kong concert ticket scams rises by 40% amid JJ Lin, Jay Chou shows
The number of reported concert ticket scams in Hong Kong has surged by 40 per cent week on week, according to police, with more than 70 cases from the second half of May related to Mandopop stars JJ Lin and Jay Chou's performances at Kai Tak Stadium. Police said on Wednesday that they received 114 reports of concert ticket scams for the week starting on May 24, compared with the 80 recorded for the week before. The amount of money involved in the cases over the two-week period was more than HK$1.6 million (US$203,900), the force added. In a post on the CyberDefender's social media page, the force said 37 people came forward over the past two weeks after falling victim to scams offering bogus tickets to Singaporean singer JJ Lin's concerts at the stadium on May 24 and 25. Another 23 people approached the force after attempting to buy tickets to Taiwanese performer Jay Chou's shows at the same venue, which will take place from June 27 to 29. Police have said scammers are taking advantage of the high demand and limited supply of tickets for popular concerts. Photo: Elson Li Seventeen people also reported falling victim to bogus ticket sellers for local singer and actor Raymond Lam Fung's concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum from May 22 to 28.
