The newly released Hong Kong film Golden Boy, starring Louis Cheung (張繼聰), achieved a significant box office milestone over the weekend, surpassing HK$2 million in cumulative revenue by Sunday evening following its Friday (21st) debut. The film’s early success was buoyed by high-profile promotional events, including a surprise appearance by renowned actor Nick Cheung (張家輝) and strong support from Louis Cheung’s family, highlighting the deeply personal connection the project holds for the cast and the local industry.
The box office figure of over HK$2 million was attained less than three days after the movie premiered, underscoring strong audience interest. Critical to the weekend’s publicity efforts was a special appreciation screening held on Saturday, where actor Nick Cheung made an unexpected appearance to endorse Louis Cheung’s performance. Nick Cheung light-heartedly explained to the enthusiastic crowd that he missed the initial premiere but felt compelled to attend the subsequent screening. His playful banter with Louis Cheung generated much laughter, particularly when he humorously accused Louis Cheung’s notably muscular physique of being the result of cosmetic procedures rather than genuine training, a form of good-natured “fake play” that captivated attendees.
The family presence at the screening underscored the event’s intimate nature. Louis Cheung’s wife, singer Kay Tse (謝安琪), served as the emcee for the evening. Also present to offer encouragement were their entire family, including daughter Kakaball and son Zhang Zhan, signifying overwhelming domestic backing for the project.
Industry Veteran Honors Actor’s Dedication
The film’s emotional resonance deepened during Sunday’s thank-you tour, as Louis Cheung and Kay Tse continued to engage with audiences across various cinemas. A moment of profound recognition occurred when media pioneer and influential figure Winnie Yu (俞琤) approached Louis Cheung. Yu offered effusive praise, presenting him with a cap inscribed with the phrase “Local Legend” and placing it on his head as a symbolic coronation.
Yu articulated that Golden Boy represented a gift from Louis Cheung to the people of Hong Kong. She lauded the actor’s persistence, stating that through “unremitting effort and incomparable resilience over a long period,” Louis Cheung showcased the “indomitable spirit” characteristic of Hong Kong natives. Yu concluded that the character of the Golden Boy embodied a legend that all Hong Kong citizens should take pride in.
The rapid accumulation of box office revenue for a local film is often seen as a positive indicator for Hong Kong cinema, demonstrating that projects rooted in local culture and themes can capture significant public attention. Golden Boy is now poised to capitalize on this early momentum as it heads into its first full week of release, with the emotional support and industry recognition reinforcing its status as a notable cultural event this season. Analysts will watch to see if the film’s dedicated fanbase and word-of-mouth acclaim can drive sustained success beyond the opening weekend.