Latest news with #TheQueenOfNews
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: HK actress Samantha Ko struggles with mental health issues and panic attacks
HONG KONG: Actress Samantha Ko has candidly discussed her battles with mental health during a recent interview with Hong Kong actor, host, and director Lawrence Cheng. Ko's popularity has soared following her starring role in the 2023 TVB drama, The Queen Of News. Her portrayal of morning news anchor Cathy earned the 38-year-old the Best Supporting Actress accolade at the TVB Awards in 2024. Appearing on Cheng's online show, HiEggo, uploaded to YouTube on July 4, Ko revealed she has experienced depression, emotional instability, and panic attacks. The panic attacks began during the Covid-19 pandemic when her work frequently required her to travel to mainland China. "I went to the mainland alone with two pieces of luggage, and there was a need to quarantine then," she explained. "I had to shuttle between both sides and sometimes had to stay in China for six months by myself." Ko shared that she was particularly hard hit emotionally after her grandfather passed away, as she was unable to return to Hong Kong to see him one last time. "I remember one day when I went to the supermarket with my mother," she recalled. "I was standing by the road with two bags of stuff and waiting for the traffic light. A truck passed by and an idea came to my mind: 'What will happen if I step out?' At that moment, I took a step back subconsciously and was shocked by my own thought." The actress sought help from a psychiatrist soon after, noting that she had always been an optimistic person with few negative thoughts. "He said that I didn't need to take medicine and he would help me by chatting with me once a week. But I took along some medicine with me in case it was needed." Ko also recounted a panic attack during the filming of The Queen Of News. The scene involved her character witnessing a woman being hit by a car after jumping from a balcony. "My mind went blank and I became more nervous," she said. "Every time I made a mistake (in my lines), she had to jump again. She might meet with a real accident even though she was a stuntwoman." Ko broke down in tears and was unable to continue with the scene. Filming for that scene was subsequently cancelled and rescheduled for another day. "The incident left a deep impression on my mind as it turned out that I couldn't bear this kind of psychological pressure," she said. To maintain a calm state of mind, Ko regularly uses techniques such as meditation. "Many people may only take note of their physical pain when they get too busy without realising the psychological pressure they are going through," she said. "That's why I urge everyone to take note of their mental health."
The Star
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
HK star Samantha Ko discloses struggle with mental health issues, panic attacks
Samantha Ko said she has experienced depression, emotional instability and panic attacks. Photo: HiEggo/YouTube Hong Kong actress Samantha Ko has opened up about her struggles with mental health in a recent interview with Hong Kong actor-host-director Lawrence Cheng. Her popularity has surged after starring in the TVB drama The Queen Of News (2023). The 38-year-old's role as morning news anchor Cathy garnered her the Best Supporting Actress accolade at the TVB Awards in 2024. Appearing on Cheng's online show HiEggo, which was uploaded on YouTube on July 4, Ko said she has experienced depression, emotional instability and panic attacks. The panic attacks began during the Covid-19 pandemic when she had to travel to China frequently for work. 'I went to the mainland alone with two pieces of luggage, and there was a need to quarantine then,' she said. 'I had to shuttle between both sides and sometimes had to stay in China for six months by myself.' Ko added she was hit hard emotionally after her grandfather died, and she was unable to return to Hong Kong to see him one last time. 'I remember one day when I went to the supermarket with my mother,' she recalled. 'I was standing by the road with two bags of stuff and waiting for the traffic light. A truck passed by and an idea came to my mind: 'What will happen if I step out?' At that moment, I took a step back subconsciously and was shocked by my thought.' The actress went to see a psychiatrist soon after as she used to be an optimistic person with few negative thoughts. 'He said that I did not need to take medicine and he would help me by chatting with me once a week. But I took along some medicine with me in case it was needed.' Ko also recounted an instance of a panic attack while filming a scene in The Queen Of News , when her character witnessed a woman being hit by a car after jumping from a balcony. 'My mind went blank and I became more nervous,' she said of the filming. 'Every time I made a mistake (in my lines), she had to jump again. She might meet with a real accident even though she was a stuntwoman.' Ko said she broke down and cried, and could not carry on with the scene. The shooting of the scene was cancelled and moved to another day. 'The incident left a deep impression on my mind as it turned out that I couldn't bear this kind of psychological pressure,' she said. She regularly used techniques such as meditation to maintain a calm state of mind. 'Many people may only take note of their physical pain when they get too busy without realising the psychological pressure they are going through,' she said. 'That's why I urge everyone to take note of their mental health.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network Those contemplating suicide can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935/ 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999/ 019-261 5999 on WhatsApp); Jakim's family, social and community care centre (011-1959 8214 on WhatsApp); or Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929/email sam@ in-malaysia).
Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
HK actress Samantha Ko discloses struggle with mental health issues
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Hong Kong actress Samantha Ko has opened up about her struggles with mental health in a recent interview with Hong Kong actor-host-director Lawrence Cheng. Her popularity has surged after starring in the TVB drama The Queen Of News (2023). The 38-year-old's role as morning news anchor Cathy garnered her the Best Supporting Actress accolade at the TVB Awards in 2024. Appearing on Cheng's online show HiEggo, Ko said she has experienced depression, emotional instability and panic attacks. The panic attacks began during the Covid-19 pandemic when she had to travel to China frequently for work. 'I went to the mainland alone with two pieces of luggage, and there was a need to quarantine then,' she said. 'I had to shuttle between both sides and sometimes had to stay in China for six months by myself.' Ko added she was hit hard emotionally after her grandfather died, and she was unable to return to Hong Kong to see him one last time. 'I remember one day when I went to the supermarket with my mother,' she recalled. 'I was standing by the road with two bags of stuff and waiting for the traffic light. A truck passed by and an idea came to my mind: 'What will happen if I step out?' At that moment, I took a step back subconsciously and was shocked by my thought.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses Singapore Fewer marriages and births in Singapore in 2024; greater stability for later cohorts Singapore Paternity leave take-up in S'pore rises to 56% in 2023; experts hope for further boost after extension Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Singapore $1.46b nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi opts to remain silent after judge calls for his defence Asia Bali flights nixed after huge Indonesia volcano eruption Life How to cope with the heat when travelling: 5 expert-backed tips The actress went to see a psychiatrist soon after as she used to be an optimistic person with few negative thoughts. 'He said that I did not need to take medicine and he would help me by chatting with me once a week . But I took along some medicine with me in case it was needed.' Ko also recounted an instance of a panic attack while filming a scene in The Queen Of News, when her character witnessed a woman being hit by a car after falling from a balcony. 'My mind went blank and I became more nervous,' she said of the filming. 'Every time I made a mistake (in my lines), she had to jump again. She might meet with a real accident even though she was a stuntwoman.' Ko said she broke down and cried, and could not carry on with the scene. The shooting of the scene was cancelled and moved to another day. 'The incident left a deep impression on my mind as it turned out that I couldn't bear this kind of psychological pressure,' she said. She would regularly use some methods, like meditation, hoping to maintain a calm state of mind. 'Many people may take note of their physical pain when they get too busy without realising the psychological pressure they are going through,' she said. 'That's why I urge everyone to take note of their mental health.' Helplines Mental well-being National helpline: 1771 (24 hours) / 6669-1771 (via WhatsApp) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) The Seniors Helpline: 1800-555-5555 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm) Counselling Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Shan You Counselling Centre: 6741-9293 Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990 Online resources
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: HK actor Niklas Lam earns RM220 in an hour through tea business
HONG KONG: Hong Kong actor Niklas Lam has been outspoken about the meager income he earns from relying solely on his job as an artiste in TVB. A month ago, Lam revealed that since joining the entertainment industry in 2017, he has taken on five part-time jobs to make ends meet. According to Hong Kong news outlet HK01, the 30-year-old is now selling lemon tea at a street stall in Shenzhen, China. Despite admitting that he is not the most skilled at slicing lemons, Lam won over customers with his charm. He was seen warmly interacting with fans, handing out flower bouquets and signing autographs. It appears that the actor's latest move is paying off, as he earned an impressive HK$400 (RM220) in just 90 minutes. In a video, Lam said that he wanted to explore more part-time jobs, with plans to donate his earnings to charity. Despite gaining widespread popularity in 2023 for his performance in the hit series The Queen Of News, Lam lives a frugal life. He once shared that his daily transportation and lunch expenses add up to at least HK$300 (RM165), excluding dinner, and to cut costs, he eats at night markets. Earlier this month, the TVB star revealed that he travels all the way to China to visit the dentist as it's "much cheaper" there than in Hong Kong. Lam also said in a vlog that it is not easy for an actor to become rich in Hong Kong.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
TVB actor Niklas Lam earns RM220 in over an hour through stall business in China
Hong Kong actor Niklas Lam once juggled up to five part-time jobs to make ends meet. Photos: TVB, China Press Hong Kong actor Niklas Lam has been outspoken about the meager income he earns from relying solely on his job as an artiste at TVB. Just over a month ago, Lam revealed that since joining the entertainment industry in 2017, he has taken on five part-time jobs to make ends meet. According to Hong Kong news outlet HK01, the 30-year-old has now ventured into a new hustle – selling lemon tea at a street stall in Shenzhen, China. Despite admitting he's not the most skilled at slicing lemons, Lam won over customers with his charm. He was seen warmly interacting with fans, handing out flower bouquets and signing autographs. It appears that the actor's latest move is already paying off, as he earned an impressive HK$400 (RM220) in just 90 minutes. In a video, Lam said he wanted to explore more part-time jobs, with plans to donate his earnings to charity. Despite gaining widespread popularity in 2023 for his performance in the hit series The Queen Of News , Lam lives a frugal life. He once shared that his daily transportation and brunch expenses add up to at least HK$300 (RM165), excluding dinner, and to cut costs, he eats at night markets and affordable tea houses. Earlier this month, the TVB star revealed that he travels all the way to China to visit the dentist as it's 'much cheaper' there than in Hong Kong. Lam also said in a vlog that it's not easy for an actor to become rich in Hong Kong, adding: 'If they're solely relying on their job as an artiste for income, they won't have enough to feed themselves.'
