Fallen Idols: When Hong Kong and Taiwan’s Once-Beloved Artists Turn to Humble Street Vendors
The Current Situation of Outdated Hong Kong and Taiwan Artists Exposed!
The Rise and Fall of the Hong Kong Film Industry
Since the 1960s, the Hong Kong film industry has gradually prospered. Directors such as Chang Cheh, King Hu, and Chor Yuen have dominated the martial arts film industry. In the 1970s, comedy films led by the Xu brothers attracted a large number of audiences.
By the 1980s, the Hong Kong film industry had diversified its film themes, covering a variety of genres including kung fu films, comedies, art films, horror films, etc., presenting a prosperous scene and reaching its peak.
Fang Gang: From Actor to Entrepreneur
Fang Gang, once known as one of the “Ten Stars of the Galaxy”, chose to change careers and become a security guard after the Hong Kong film market began to decline in the late 1990s.
After retiring from the film industry, Fang Gang chose to go to the mainland to seek development. In order to welcome a new beginning, he changed his name from Fang Gang to Liang Fanggang, and entered the business field and founded a clothing company.
Yin Yangming: From Actor to Funeral Director
Yin Yangming, once known as the “number one” in TVB, developed a gambling habit and squandered his savings in casinos after becoming famous. After his family fortune was depleted, he still owed millions of yuan in debt.
After 2005, Yin Yangming bid farewell to the film and television industry. After retiring from the film industry, he followed his brother to learn the business of the funeral industry. By using the celebrity connections, his business flourished and he made huge profits.
Ao Jianian: From Actor to Hairstylist
Ao Jianian started acting in 1999. He played the role of “Mu Zha” in “Investiture of the Gods” and attracted the attention of major directors.
When I worked at TVB, the salary was not high. Ao Jianian had to do many part-time jobs, including delivering takeout, working as a cleaner, working in a teahouse, and being a hairstylist apprentice.
Yip Wing-yee: From Actress to Single Mother
Yip Wing-yee, once known as the “blessing of all Hong Kong people”, “Hong Kong’s Goto Kumiko” and ”Hong Kong’s jade idol”, had a hard life after her divorce. In order to raise her two children, she returned to the entertainment industry.
The Rise and Fall of Hong Kong and Taiwanese Celebrities
Yip Wing-yee
Yip Wing-yee, a former Hong Kong actress, rose to fame in the 1980s with her stunning looks and impressive acting skills. However, her career was short-lived due to her ruined reputation and loss of popularity.
After retiring from the entertainment industry, Yip Wing-yee became a saleswoman and later engaged in the design of visual artworks. Despite her failed marriage, she never remarried.
Huang Wenbiao
Huang Wenbiao, a veteran Hong Kong actor, joined TVB in the early 1990s and participated in over 150 film and television works. He is known for his villainous supporting roles and is a highly recognized ”golden supporting actor” in the Hong Kong film industry.
Despite his successful career, Huang Wenbiao’s salary was not high, and he eventually left the entertainment industry to help his friends transport goods and sell fish.
Xie Zifeng
Xie Zifeng, a former child star from Hong Kong, was discovered by a scout and entered the entertainment industry due to his cute and adorable appearance. He participated in several film and television works, including “Journey to the West” and “Feng Yun Xiong Ba Tian Xia”.
After retiring from the entertainment industry, Xie Zifeng became a policeman and was spotted in 2023 wearing a neat suit and looking brand new.
Guan Cong
Guan Cong, a Hong Kong actor, attended the first phase of the wireless artist training class and graduated successfully. He participated in various film and television works, including “Little Li Flying Dagger” and “The Legend of Chu Liuxiang”.
Guan Cong quit the entertainment industry in the late 1990s and moved to Taiwan to engage in business. However, he encountered an investment fraud and lost over 5 million, which led to his depression and eventual participation in charity work.
Li Qihong
Li Qihong, a Hong Kong actress, rose to fame with her role as Guo Xiang in “The Return of the Condor Heroes”. She perfectly interpreted the shyness of a young girl who is moved for the first time.
Despite her successful career, Li Qihong suffers from a mental illness that runs in her family. She was diagnosed with major depression and attempted suicide several times before recovering and becoming a nurse specializing in psychiatric care.
Zhang Zhenhuan
Zhang Zhenhuan, a Hong Kong actor, entered the entertainment industry in the mid-1970s and became famous for “The Hero Shen Shengyi”. He showed a handsome and elegant image on the screen, attracting the attention of countless girls.
However, Zhang Zhenhuan’s career began to decline in the late 1990s, and he eventually left the entertainment industry to engage in business. He invested in a cake shop but failed and was burdened with huge debts.
Xu Heng
Xu Heng, a Taiwanese actor, rose to fame with his role as Ma Han in “Justice Bao”. He is well known to the general public for his role as Cai Jinpao in “Unforgettable”, which won him the Best Supporting Actor Award in the 41st Golden Bell Awards for Drama Programs in Taiwan.
After earning money, Xu Heng started to invest in various businesses, but eventually lost all his money and was forced to hold a press conference to announce bankruptcy.
The Rise and Fall of Chen Xiuwen: A Hong Kong Entertainment Icon
Early Life and Career
Chen Xiuwen, a renowned Hong Kong actress, graduated from the fourth artist training class of Rediffusion Television. She entered the entertainment industry in the late 1970s, singing the theme song of the martial arts drama “The Thief and the Wind.” Chen Xiuwen began acting in film and television dramas in the early 1980s and gained fame with “The Six Tribulations of Life,” becoming the leading actress of Rediffusion Television.
Rise to Fame
Chen Xiuwen’s acting career took off rapidly, starring in numerous works such as “Dragon Sword,” “Dharma,” “The Wandering Swordsman,” ”The Hero Dominates the World,” “The Combed Girl,” “The Imperial Court Number One,” “Mu Guiying Defeats the Tianmen Formation,” “Goodbye My Wife,” ”The Weaver Girl,” and “A Chinese Ghost Story.” These films and dramas were extremely popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
Marriage and Financial Struggles
Despite her professional success, Chen Xiuwen’s marriage was not happy. Her husband, Chen Guoxiong, was obsessed with Buddhism and relied on Chen Xiuwen to support the family financially. He planned to become a monk, causing a sensation. Chen Xiuwen supported her husband’s ambitions, investing in real estate and film and television projects. However, these investments failed, resulting in significant financial losses.
Failed Investments and Debt
Chen Xiuwen invested over 30 million yuan in her husband’s business ventures, but they ultimately failed. The family’s savings were exhausted, and Chen Xiuwen had to continue acting to make a living and repay the debt. In 1998, her husband invested in building a Buddhist university in the mainland, but the project was a scam, leaving him with a huge debt.
Divorce and Retirement
Chen Xiuwen divorced her husband in 2011. In 2019, she retired from the film and television industry and began to pursue a career in aromatherapy. She obtained a professional qualification certificate and sold aromatherapy products online. Now in her 60s, Chen Xiuwen rarely appears in public media and has maintained a low profile since her retirement.
Lessons from the Past
Chen Xiuwen’s story serves as a reminder that even the most successful individuals can face significant challenges in their personal and professional lives. While some stars achieve a comeback after great ups and downs, others struggle to regain their former glory. Chen Xiuwen’s experiences offer a valuable lesson in the importance of financial management, personal fulfillment, and the pursuit of happiness.
Images
Image: Chen Xiuwen in her early days as an actress
Image: Chen Xiuwen in a scene from “The Six Tribulations of Life”
* Image: Chen Xiuwen in her later years, after retiring from the entertainment industry