Hungrysu.com

A poignant farewell was offered this week to veteran actor Hui Siu-hung (許紹雄), widely known by his professional name Benz Hui. Mr. Hui passed away on October 28 at the age of 75, due to multi-organ failure stemming from cancer. The funeral proceedings began on Monday, November 17, with a wake held at the Po Fook Memorial Hall in Tai Wai, Hong Kong, followed by the funeral service and cremation the following morning.

The revered performing artist, often affectionately referred to as “Uncle Benz” by fans, cultivated a career spanning over four decades, earning a reputation for his versatile character work, particularly in Hong Kong television dramas and films. Although his official age was reported as “over 80,” his actual age at the time of death was confirmed to be 75.

A Private Ceremony and Public Tribute

The services were primarily conducted as private affairs, reserved for close family and lifelong friends. However, a specific window was allotted on Monday afternoon, between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, allowing members of the public to pay their final respects to the beloved actor. This dedicated hour underscored the deep connection Mr. Hui maintained with his audience throughout his long career.

In a striking visual testament to his popularity, images circulated online showing the memorial hall virtually enveloped in a sea of floral tributes. Mourners and well-wishers, including numerous industry contacts, sent an overwhelming number of wreaths and floral arrangements. One social media post shared by an individual involved in the funeral industry highlighted the extensive volume of flowers arriving even before the formal wake commenced, indicating flower shops were continually engaged in preparing bouquets.

These lavish tributes led many online commenters to reflect on Mr. Hui’s exceptional personal connections and professional camaraderie. Fans often invoked one of his popular screen personas, “Officer Fong” (方中Sir), remarking that the outpouring of support was powerful evidence of the actor’s strong positive influence and “excellent personal relationships” within and outside the entertainment sphere. Messages conveying wishes for a peaceful journey consistently accompanied these digital tributes.

Legacy in Hong Kong Cinema

Benz Hui was celebrated for his ability to seamlessly transition between comedic and dramatic roles, often portraying earnest, slightly eccentric, but ultimately lovable figures. His reliable presence made him a mainstay of the golden age of Hong Kong cinema and television. His passing marks the loss of a significant figure who embodied the spirit of reliable supporting acting—a crucial element of Hong Kong dramatic productions.

While the specifics of his battle with cancer were kept largely private, his final days saw fans and colleagues expressing profound sorrow and gratitude for the considerable body of work he leaves behind. The funeral proceedings concluded on Tuesday morning with the casket being moved for cremation, finalizing the tribute to an industry icon whose legacy will endure through his many memorable performances.

The conclusion of the popular television singing competition, Voice Show, has been overshadowed by an ongoing controversy involving mentor and veteran Hong Kong singer, William So (also known as Ah Gong), whose past legal issues appear to have severely impacted the program’s broadcast reach in mainland China.

The controversy escalated in September after an apparent resurrection of So’s 2002 drug-related transgressions by online commentators. This scrutiny reportedly captured the attention of mainland media outlets, which questioned his suitability as a public figure and called for legal accountability. Following the media pressure, Voice Show episodes were reportedly removed from broadcast schedules across several mainland platforms, raising speculation that the show had been unofficially blacklisted from a crucial market.

Mentor Posts Social Media Thank You Amid Fallout

Despite the external tumult, So appeared briefly during the competition’s finale but declined media interviews at the time. Days later, he took to social media, sharing celebratory photographs from a cast and crew dinner marking the end of the series. The images featured numerous participants and fellow industry figures, including singers Joey Thye, Kaho Hung, Rita Carpio, Chan Yi Tak, and Joey Wong (JW).

In an extensive post, So extended congratulations to the winners and expressed deep gratitude to the entire production team for their guidance and assistance. He singled out renowned artist Hins Cheung for particular praise.

“Huge thanks to @hinscheung for his unwavering support and for taking care of the three kids,” So wrote, referring to the contestants. “This definitely created unforgettable memories for them and made their journey even more spectacular.”

Apology to Production Staff

However, the post also contained a noticeable undercurrent of regret regarding the disruption caused by his personal history. So offered an explicit apology to the show’s producer, acknowledging the burden his issues placed on the team.

“My apologies for causing inconvenience,” he stated, adding a resolute, “Did my best, it’s in my heart.”

So concluded his thanks by reflecting on the rare sense of camaraderie he experienced on the set, suggesting that he never expected to find a team he would miss this much since his days on classic TV series like File of Justice and The Healing Hands.

“I was wrong,” So conceded. “To my Voice Show team, we will meet again.”

Context and Implications for Broadcasts

The incident highlights the intensifying scrutiny faced by Hong Kong and Taiwanese celebrities working within the mainland entertainment ecosystem. While Hong Kong’s broadcasting authority, TVB, airs programs like Voice Show locally, their distribution and co-productions across the border remain susceptible to mainland regulatory and public sentiment shifts, particularly concerning the behavior and past conduct of celebrity talent.

For production companies, the swift negative reaction serves as a reminder of the need for rigorous due diligence regarding all key personnel, as historical events—even decade-old ones—can be mobilized by online communities and state media to enforce accountability standards that are often stricter than those in the artists’ originating territories. The rumored suspension of the show’s mainland broadcast signals immediate financial and viewership impact, forcing the network and production partners to navigate sensitive political and social lines in future talent acquisitions.

Hong Kong is gearing up for a major cultural event as the Hong Kong Musical Festival 2026 officially announced its principal lineup, set to captivate audiences at the West Kowloon Cultural District from January 11 to February 8, 2026. The launch, highlighted by a vibrant fan meet-and-greet on Thursday, featured prominent cast members, including actor and singer Hubert Wu, Alfred Hui, Lyman Heung, J.Arie, and Sinnie Ng of the pop group Lolly Talk, offering an early glimpse into the highly anticipated productions.

The festival promises a diverse theatrical program, with several actors sharing insights into their challenging roles. Lyman Heung, fresh from reality television acclaim, and veteran singer J.Arie will star as a married couple in the adaptation of The Addams Family musical, with Sinnie Ng portraying their daughter.

Lolly Talk’s Future Uncertain Amid Contract Talks

The media event also provided a platform for Sinnie Ng to address ongoing speculation regarding the future of her Mandopop/Cantopop girl group, Lolly Talk. Denying recent rumors alleging the group faced financial difficulties and outstanding debts—and suggestions that investor funding had been withdrawn—Ng confirmed that the eight members are nearing the end of their contract with their current management.

“This situation is evolving, and we eight members agree we need time to discuss our collective direction, what we want to achieve, and which offer is genuinely best for us,” Ng explained, confirming that multiple agencies are currently in talks with the group. “It isn’t just one contact. We want to consider everything carefully. I believe making a rushed decision will not lead to a favorable outcome.”

The singer expressed confidence that the group can eventually find a partner capable of accommodating the individual aspirations of all eight members, acknowledging that this presents a distinct challenge. These statements follow unconfirmed reports that veteran singer Hins Cheung had intervened, potentially facilitating a move to Emperor Entertainment Group.

Actors Embrace Challenging Theatrical Roles

The upcoming productions present unique hurdles for the cast members. Lyman Heung, reflecting on his role as the patriarch in The Addams Family, spoke humorously about channeling paternal energy despite not having children of his own, noting the on-stage dynamics involving his fictional wife and daughter would allow him to experience domestic life vicariously.

Heung, who has previous stage experience in the United States, admitted that the upcoming rehearsals, scheduled to begin in two weeks, pose a significant challenge due to the requirement for a simultaneous Cantonese adaptation. “Having to master the Cantonese version adds considerable difficulty,” he noted. “Also, I don’t have extensive singing experience. Watching J.Arie and the others jump straight into character when the music starts is genuinely impressive.”

Similarly thrilled was Alfred Hui, who is reprising his role in the musical For Leslie, a tribute to the legendary Cantopop icon Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing. “Returning to this role is both exciting and nerve-wracking,” Hui stated, revealing that the chemistry with his castmates was immediately reignited at a recent press briefing. The timing is particularly poignant, as 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of Cheung’s birth, adding profound meaning to the story about his dedicated fans and music.

Hubert Wu is set to participate in a unique film concert, The Baimiangniang: A Late-Blooming Osmanthus, centered around the works of the acclaimed singer Pan Di Hua. Wu acknowledged the pressure of interpreting such classic material. “I hope to introduce new elements while honoring this iconic work,” he said. “The format of the film concert—incorporating documentary footage, live orchestra, and classic songs—is a fantastic learning opportunity that demands intense daily rehearsal.”

The Hong Kong Musical Festival serves as a crucial platform for promoting the city’s vibrant performing arts scene, uniting new talents with established stars to produce culturally rich and engaging theatrical experiences that resonate across generations.