Three prominent Hong Kong actresses—Niki Chow, Kathy Yuen, and Gladys Li—participated in a promotional event yesterday evening, stepping into roles as “Store Managers for a Day” to generate buzz for their upcoming film, “The Insider.” The event, which included an interactive trading card (flash card) dispensing machine, served as a platform for the stars to share personal anecdotes about their careers, family lives, and future projects.
Nostalgia and New Beginnings: The Flash Card Revival
While engaging with fans at the specially themed pop-up shop, the conversation quickly turned to the nostalgic appeal of collectible flash cards, a staple of Asian pop culture.
Niki Chow, a veteran of Hong Kong’s entertainment scene, confessed that she avoids revisiting her own early photo cards, though she still occasionally signs them for dedicated fans. Her co-star, Kathy Yuen, recounted her own collection history, expressing regret that her treasured set featuring the legendary “Four Heavenly Kings” of canto-pop was lost during a move after her mother discarded them. Yuen also highlighted a professional milestone: her current collaboration on “The Insider” marks her second film project alongside international star Aaron Kwok, noting that her confidence on set has significantly increased since their initial pairing. Gladys Li shared that her prized childhood possession was a collection devoted to her idol, singer-actress Ivana Wong.
Niki Chow Balances Motherhood and Career Revival
Beyond movie promotions, Niki Chow offered an exciting update for her fanbase: she is actively planning a major concert in Hong Kong next year, following a successful performance in Macau. Chow candidly discussed the motivation behind her career resurgence after taking time to focus on family.
“My son is rapidly growing, and now that he’s five, it’s time for me to genuinely return to work to prove that I still have a real job,” Chow stated.
The actress humorously revealed that her son remains unaware of her celebrity status. Based on props and memorabilia found around their home—including a safety patrol Ambassador hat and old police drama stills—her son strongly believes she is a retired police officer. He has even informed his schoolmates that his mother stopped policing solely to care for him. This accidental identity confusion, Chow admitted, has its advantages.
“I haven’t felt the need to correct him, because he holds me in high regard; he is respectfully intimidated by me,” she explained. Her husband occasionally capitalizes on this perception, using an old still of Chow and Michael Tse from a police series to encourage good behavior when their son acts out.
Chow and Yuen both confessed a shared reluctance about fully explaining the multifaceted nature of an acting career to their young children. Kathy Yuen noted that her daughter currently only associates her mother with the cakes she bakes, rather than her profession as an actress. The stars agree that it is perhaps better for their children to grasp the scope of their entertainment careers organically as they mature.
Implications for Hong Kong Cinema
The energized promotional event underscores a push to reconnect cinema with its audience following production constraints earlier in the decade. The stars’ willingness to share intimate details about their personal lives and upcoming professional developments—including new concerts and major film collaborations—is a calculated effort to build anticipation for “The Insider.”
The film’s release is expected to provide a needed boost to the local box office, showcasing the enduring appeal of established Hong Kong talent alongside rising stars like Li. With Chow aiming for a major return to the stage and Yuen consolidating her film career, their collective star power appears stronger than ever. Fans will eagerly await details of Chow’s Hong Kong concert next year, marking a significant return to the spotlight for the popular actress.