Buzz
1. Chung Lệ Đề
The stunning Vietnamese beauty, Chung Lệ Đề, is a familiar face in many of Stephen Chow's films. Their collaboration began in 1994 with 'Love Delivery', followed by 'All's Well' and 'Ends Well'. These projects were significant milestones in Chung Lệ Đề's acting career, helping her gain widespread recognition across Asia. Today, she remains a well-known figure in major events and projects, maintaining her beauty and charm from her younger days. She has also found true happiness with her younger boyfriend.
Chung Lệ Đề was crowned Miss China Montreal while studying tourism at the University of Quebec in Montreal. She later moved to Hong Kong and won the Miss International China contest in 1993. This victory opened doors to her entry into the entertainment industry, where she landed her first roles. Her performance in the film 'Bride with White Hair 2' brought her fame in Chinese pop culture.
2. Mạc Văn Úy
Mạc Văn Úy, born Karen Joy Morris on June 2, 1970, in Hong Kong, is the younger sister of writer and producer Trevor Morris, and the granddaughter of Alfred Morris, the first principal of King's College in Hong Kong. Fluent in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Italian, German, and French, Mạc Văn Úy was awarded the Best Student Award in Hong Kong during her university days.
She is one of the most frequent actresses in Stephen Chow's films, appearing in nearly all of his works from 1995 to 1999. Her notable roles include appearances in 'Journey to the West', 'Out of the Dark', 'The God of Cookery', 'Lawyer Lawyer', and 'King of Comedy'. Each of her performances brought something new and engaging to audiences.
In her early Hollywood films such as 'Around the World in 80 Days' (2004), Mạc Văn Úy used her birth name, Karen Joy Morris, and later adopted the stage name Karen Mạc for future projects like 'Man of Tai Chi' (2013). She also voiced Princess Kida in the Cantonese version of Disney's 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' (2001). Mạc Văn Úy was the first Chinese pop artist to hold solo concerts in Madrid and Milan.
3. Trương Bá Chi
Trương Bá Chi is a well-known figure in both commercials and films directed by Stephen Chow. Her innocent and angelic face has truly captivated the hearts of fans, making her a household name across Asia. Despite the passing years, her portrayal of Liễu Phiêu Phiêu remains the most iconic image of a beautiful schoolgirl in the hearts of viewers. After facing many challenges in her personal life, Trương Bá Chi has gradually regained her momentum in her career and continues to be a highly sought-after figure in advertising for top beauty and fashion brands.
Trương Bá Chi's acting career began with a television commercial for lemon tea in 1998. After catching Stephen Chow's eye, she landed her first acting role in the film 'King of Comedy' (1999). This film was the highest-grossing of the year and propelled Trương Bá Chi to fame in Hong Kong.
Throughout her acting career, Trương Bá Chi has received several awards, including Best New Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards for her role in 'The Lost Bladesman' (1999) and Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards for her performance in 'Can't Forget' (2003). The films she starred in are memorable not only for her acting talent but also for her stunning beauty.
4. Trương Mẫn
Trương Mẫn, born in 1968, was formally trained in acting. She is a familiar face in many of Stephen Chow's films, including 'The God of Gamblers', 'Royal Tramp', and 'Fist of Fury'. Trương Mẫn became known for her alluring beauty, charm, and her effortless chemistry with the 'King of Comedy'. Today, Trương Mẫn has left the entertainment industry and is a successful investor and businesswoman.
Discovered by director Wong Jing in the early 1990s, Trương Mẫn gained fame through her collaborations with Stephen Chow, often playing his love interest after winning the Miss Asia pageant. She worked on over 10 films with Chow between 1988 and 1994, including hit films such as 'All for the Winner', 'God of Gamblers II', and 'Fight Back to School'.
After a successful early career, Trương Mẫn ventured into film production in 1995 with 'Dream Lover', starring Tony Leung and Michelle Reis. However, after dissatisfaction with the project, she reworked it into 'Romantic Dream'. Both films underperformed commercially, leading her to step back from the film industry and focus on business ventures. Trương Mẫn returned to acting in the early 2000s, taking lead roles in several television dramas.
5. Khau Shuk Ching
Khau Shuk Ching Khau Shuk Ching played many lead roles alongside famous male stars like Andy Lau, Stephen Chow, and Jackie Chan during the peak of her career. She was nominated four times for the Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Supporting Actress in 1992 for 'Detective Loye' and Best Actress for 'Naked Killer' in 1993. She received further recognition in 1996 for 'I'm Your Birthday Cake' and in 1999 for 'Hold You Tight'. A true sex symbol of 1990s Hong Kong cinema, Khau Shuk Ching was a prominent figure in numerous Stephen Chow films, including 'Lawyer Lawyer' and 'Royal Tramp'. The most memorable role she played was as the mischievous and lovable Princess Kin Ning in 'Royal Tramp'. Although many actresses have since portrayed this character in both film and television, no one has managed to surpass Khau Shuk Ching’s portrayal of Princess Kin Ning.
6. Zhang Yu Qi
Zhang Yu Qi, born in 1987, graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy. She first appeared in the film 'CJ7' and quickly won the audience’s favor with her charming and delicate appearance. In 2016, Zhang Yu Qi made a remarkable return to the big screen in Stephen Chow's latest film, 'The Mermaid'. Her role as the beautiful, proud Miss Ruo Lan marked her growth as an actress and showcased her acting abilities.
Zhang Yu Qi made her debut in a minor role in the 2007 film 'Shanghai Nights' but didn’t gain much attention. Stephen Chow first noticed her through an advertisement for Kentucky Fried Chicken and invited her to join his company. Trained in acting, dancing, and singing, she appeared in her first major film role in the science fiction film 'CJ7', where she played a young teacher. This role attracted significant media attention and, as is common for female newcomers in Stephen Chow's films, she was given a leading role in his next project!
Zhang Yu Qi starred in the romantic comedy 'All About Women', playing a headstrong businesswoman. In 2009, she played a country girl passionate about hip-hop in the musical comedy 'Jump', directed by Feng De Lun and written by Stephen Chow. Zhang won her first 'Best Actress' award at the Hua Mei Film Festival and was voted the Most Popular Actress at the Beijing University Student Film Festival for her role in the film adaptation of 'White Deer Plain'.
7. Lin Juan
The 20-year-old beauty, Lin Juan, triumphed over thousands of contenders to land the lead role in Stephen Chow's latest film. Her pure and angelic beauty, embodied in her portrayal of San San in 'The Mermaid', captivated audiences. The success of this role helped Lin Juan rise to fame, becoming one of the most beloved teen stars in mainland China and a familiar face at various events and fashion magazine covers. Lin Juan is set to return in two promising 2017 projects, 'Vân điên chi thượng' and 'Tước tích'.
'The Mermaid' became the highest-grossing film in China and catapulted Lin Juan into the limelight. That same year, she starred in the epic fantasy film 'LORD: Legend of Ravaging Dy Kingdoms', directed and written by Guo Jingming. Lin Juan also played a leading role in another Stephen Chow film, 'Journey to the West: Conquer the Demons 2' (2017), and was selected to star in the romantic comedy 'The Dreaming Man' produced by Disney, as well as the historical epic 'Genghis Khan'.
In 2018, Lin Juan made her debut in her first television series, 'Battle Through the Heavens', a martial arts fantasy drama based on the novel of the same name. She also starred in 'Beautiful Reborn Flower', a romance drama adapted from Anni Baobei's novel, and 'Cantabile Youth', a musical romance based on the Japanese manga 'Nodame Cantabile'. In 2019, Lin Juan took on the lead role in the romantic film 'Fall in Love at First Kiss', a remake of the Taiwanese film by the same name. She also reprised her role in the sequel to 'The Mermaid'.
8. Athena Chu
Athena Chu, also known as Chu An, is a famous Hong Kong actress and singer. She studied at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts from 1990 to 1992, during which time she also hosted children's programs on TVB. After graduating in 1992, she began acting in films. Her first collaboration with Stephen Chow marked the beginning of her cinematic career, and she became one of the iconic 'Sing Girls'. Later, she transitioned to television, starring in TVB-produced dramas. After leaving TVB, Athena Chu pursued a career as a model and continued acting throughout the 1990s. In 2000, she began acting in television dramas in Mainland China and Taiwan.
Born in 1971, Athena Chu made her film debut in Stephen Chow's 'The School of Hard Knocks 2', attracting early attention. However, it was her role as the graceful 'Fairy of the Western Sky' in the classic film 'Journey to the West' that solidified her fame across Asia. Her ethereal beauty in this role became an unforgettable image for fans of Stephen Chow's films and remains the most memorable performance of her career.
Athena Chu was nominated for Best Actress at the 1999 Golden Horse Awards and for Best Actress at the 2011 International Emmy Awards. Not only were she and Stephen Chow on-screen partners, but off-screen, their real-life relationship also became a major media topic. Currently, Athena Chu lives a peaceful family life with musician Huỳnh Quán Trung after 14 years of dating.
9. Huỳnh Thánh Y
The Chinese actress and singer Huỳnh Thánh Y first rose to fame when she played the lead role in the highly popular action-comedy film 'Kung Fu Hustle' in 2004. A graduate from the Beijing Film Academy's Performance Department, Huỳnh Thánh Y stood out among hundreds of candidates and secured the role of a mute girl in 'Kung Fu Hustle'.
Her pure and refreshing charm, combined with her acting talent, earned her a Golden Horse Award and helped her rise to A-list stardom. The film became the highest-grossing film in China that year, bringing Huỳnh Thánh Y a nomination for Best New Artist at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Since then, she has appeared in numerous films and television shows.
Notable films she starred in include the American sci-fi horror adventure 'Race to Witch Mountain' (2009), the Chinese romantic comedy 'A Singer Fairy' (2009), and the Hong Kong-Chinese action-comedy 'Iceman' (2014). Alongside her acting career, Huỳnh Thánh Y is also a well-known singer, having released popular singles and albums like 'Love Tattoo' (2007) and 'Everyday Love Choices' (2009). Her other works include 'The Shadow of Empress Wu' (2008), 'The Marriage Rules' (2013), 'Iceman 2' (2018), and 'Air Strike' (2018).
10. Lê Tư
Lê Tư is the granddaughter of the famous Hong Kong director Lê Dân Vĩ, a pioneer of the first generation of Hong Kong filmmakers. After her family went bankrupt, she entered the entertainment industry at the age of 14 to support her family and her younger brother's education in the UK. Raised in an artistic family in Hong Kong, Lê Tư started her career in the entertainment industry at a very young age. She began as a singer, releasing several albums in the 1990s in both Cantonese and Mandarin.
In the early stages of her acting career, Lê Tư rejected roles she felt didn’t fit her image. She shed her youthful persona to take on more diverse roles. Not only was she a beloved actress on the Hong Kong TVB network, but she also made a lasting impression on audiences with her roles as Stephen Chow’s love interest in the films 'All's Well' and 'Ends Well' in 1997. Now, the beauty has stepped away from the limelight and enjoys a happy life as a wife and mother to four little princesses with her billionaire husband, Ma Ding Guang.
Lê Tư won the Most Popular Actress award at the 2004 TVB Anniversary Awards for her role in 'War and Beauty'. She also showcased her acting prowess in films like 'Young and Dangerous'. Over the course of her career, Lê Tư received numerous awards, including the 2004 Black and White Television Character Award, Most Popular Actress, Best Duet Performance of the Year 2004, and the Watson's Annual Health & Beauty Artist with Perfect Skin award in 2004.
