HONG KONG – Former actress Pinky Cheung, a well-known media personality who has recently focused on live commerce ventures in mainland China, has relocated back to Hong Kong to care for her aging father following the passing of her stepmother. Cheung, who had established residences in cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen to facilitate her career in e-commerce, confirmed her permanent return this week, citing the necessity of supporting her father during a period of grief.
The decision marks a significant pivot in Cheung’s career trajectory, emphasizing family responsibility over the logistical convenience required by her mainland business operations. She recently shared photographs on social media depicting moments spent with her father, including attending a social function, shopping for groceries at a wet market, and sharing meals at home.
“Since my stepmother returned to heaven, I have moved back to Hong Kong to live with my father,” Cheung stated on her social media platform. “I will manage my work by traveling between Hong Kong and the mainland, doing my best to spend more time with him.”
Cheung underscored the emotional importance of her decision, asserting that her father’s well-being is her primary concern. “Nothing is more important than his health and happiness,” she wrote, expressing hope that he will “move past this sorrow as quickly as possible.”
Balancing Career and Familial Duty
Cheung’s move highlights a common challenge faced by professionals with cross-border careers: reconciling intense professional commitments with increasing familial obligations, particularly those related to elderly parents. While the mainland Chinese market offers substantial opportunities in live shopping and digital media, the geographical distance adds complexity to maintaining close family ties in Hong Kong.
Her professional life now necessitates a dual-city arrangement. This type of frequent travel requires rigorous time management and adaptation, ensuring business obligations are met while providing constant emotional and practical support at home. Public figures who navigate this balance often become relatable symbols of the sacrifices professionals make to maintain family connections.
Implications for Support Systems
The loss of a primary caregiver, such as Cheung’s stepmother, often precipitates an urgent re-evaluation of support systems for the remaining elderly parent. Experts in geriatric care note that social and emotional support becomes critical immediately following bereavement to mitigate risks associated with isolation and depression.
Actionable support often includes:
- Routine Presence: Establishing a consistent presence to prevent loneliness.
- Health Monitoring: Closely observing physical and mental health indicators.
- Practical Assistance: Aiding with daily tasks such as cooking, shopping, and transportation, as Cheung is doing.
Cheung’s public sharing of her experience serves to normalize the conversation around elder care, particularly among highly mobile professionals. Her commitment to ensuring her father’s emotional recovery prioritizes long-term family stability over immediate career expedience, providing an important example of filial piety in the demanding world of modern entertainment and commerce. Her ability to effectively manage her cross-border business while fulfilling this personal commitment will be closely monitored.