HONG KONG — Acclaimed actors Lokyi Lai and Ali Lee have delivered captivating, career-defining performances in the gritty Malaysian crime thriller, The Exiled (Yee Wo), successfully shedding their previous wholesome television personas, according to critics and viewers. However, the intensity required for the drama—which features elaborate car chases, tense negotiations, gun battles, and brutal hand-to-hand combat—came at a significant personal cost, leaving both lead stars dealing with serious physical injuries and emotional exhaustion.
The Exiled thrusts audiences into the vacuum created by the sudden death of the leader of the formidable “Yee Wo” triad organization. The series follows the ensuing power struggle as the late boss’s widow, Bing Jie (Ali Lee), and the organization’s second-in-command, Hon Gor (Lokyi Lai), clash not only with each other but also with ambitious rival factions and increasingly involved law enforcement.
Actors Endure Strenuous Production, Sustaining Injuries
Lokyi Lai, whose character Hon Gor is heavily involved in high-octane fight sequences, revealed that the strenuous martial arts choreography exacerbated a pre-existing shoulder injury. The actor disclosed that the constant physical demands of filming resulted in a near-complete (90 percent) tear of the ligaments in his right shoulder, an injury he is still undergoing treatment for.
“This role required many intense, real-world gang fights involving punches, kicks, and even weapons,” Lai explained. “The most dangerous scenes involved actual metal knives and shovels for the on-screen attacks. We had to be extremely careful. I remember one stunt actor finished a scene, and his hands were covered in blood after being hit by a shovel.” Lai emphasized the level of commitment required, stating he “poured everything” into the performance despite the painful injury.
The demanding nature of playing a complex triad figure forced Lai to create a character from scratch. Asked if he sought advice from long-time friend and veteran triad film actor Ekin Cheng, Lai noted his character was unique: a man who appears refined on the surface but harbors a cruel, brutal inner core, all while desperately seeking legitimacy outside the criminal world.
Ali Lee Plunges Into Emotional Abyss for Role
While Lai battled physical injuries, Ali Lee, who plays the formidable “Bing Jie” (Sister Bing), wrestled with emotional trauma. Lee’s character is thrust reluctantly into the leadership role, navigating intense conflict while dealing with the grief of her husband’s death.
Lee described her preparation and the shoot as an arduous process that demanded she remain steeped in a grim emotional state for months. “Bing Jie has faced so much—the death of her husband, taking on leadership responsibility, fighting, car accidents, and scenes requiring utterly hysterical crying,” Lee commented. “The majority of the scenes were incredibly heavy. As an actor, maintaining that mindset from preparation through filming for several months was grueling, almost leading to a breakdown.”
Lee acknowledged that performing such heavy, dramatic roles provided significant artistic fulfillment. Fortunately, she credited her current schedule of one major drama per year with providing the necessary emotional recuperation time between projects, allowing her the “physical and mental stamina” required for such deep immersion.
Lee highlighted the significant contrast between her personal demeanor and the character’s commanding presence. While her own personality is described as easygoing and reserved, Sister Bing requires an immediate “aura of intimidation and power.”
“The physical acts—drinking, smoking, frequenting nightclubs—are already a stark contrast to my real life,” Lee said. “But the biggest difference is the inherent presence. I do not naturally project a strong aura. Sister Bing, however, needs to immediately command a scene; one glare or shout, and everyone silences. That degree of authoritative presence was the largest acting hurdle.”
The Exiled is currently generating significant buzz, proving that high stakes drama can deliver powerful narratives, but often at a palpable cost to the professionalism and endurance of its stars. Fans anticipate the continuing arcs of these dramatically rendered characters as the series unfolds.
