Hong Kong personality Coffee Lam has sparked public discussion surrounding the universal experience of genetic inheritance after sharing a personal update about her newborn daughter’s striking resemblance to her husband. The fitness instructor, whose full name is Lam Chian-yu, documented a significant milestone—her second child’s first haircut—and humorously expressed her “disappointment” that both the infant and her older son appear to have inherited predominantly her husband’s features.
The viral social media post, shared on Lam’s Instagram account on Tuesday, captured the process of preparing her daughter, Rea, for the traditional creation of a fetal hair brush, or tai mao bi. Rea, born in early November, is approaching her three-month birthday.
A Mother’s Genetic Dilemma
Lam, who is married to businessman Zhai Zhirong, is also mother to their seven-year-old son, Zhai Deyan (Yanyan). In her candid commentary accompanying the video, which quickly garnered widespread attention from followers, Lam confessed to grappling with the apparent “cruel reality” of her children’s overwhelming similarity to their father.
“Why is this happening?” Lam wrote, jokingly questioning her biological contribution. “I didn’t want to admit this fact, but after the haircut, the little sister looks exactly like her dad! I am truly just ‘the house’ [carrying the children].”
The celebrity noted that, similar to her son Yanyan, she arranged for Rea’s hair to be collected for the traditional memento. However, she admitted she was reluctant to shave the baby’s head completely, opting instead for a trim. Despite the minimal cut, Lam emphasized that the outcome was the same: the infant strongly resembles the male side of the family. “Where did my genes go? What justice is there in the world?” she quipped, maintaining a playful tone despite her lament.
The Significance of the Fetal Hair Brush
Lam’s Instagram content provided a glimpse into the East Asian cultural practice of memorializing a baby’s first hair. Creating a fetal hair brush is a centuries-old tradition, particularly prevalent in Chinese culture, symbolizing good luck, academic promise, and familial connection.
The brush, typically made from the soft, fine hair removed during a baby’s first trim, is often customized with the child’s name and date of birth. This treasured keepsake serves as a tangible link to the child’s infancy and is frequently passed down through generations. While some families choose a complete shave to ensure uniformity of hair collection, Lam’s choice to simply trim the hair acknowledges a modern balance between cultural reverence and personal sentiment.
Universal Genetic Anecdotes
The humorous viral post taps into a widely shared experience among families globally: the fascination and occasional competitive frustration over which parent’s traits ultimately dominate in their offspring. Genetically, children inherit 50% of their DNA from each parent, but the expression of dominant and recessive genes, alongside complex interactions, determines specific physical traits.
While Lam’s self-deprecating remarks about being merely a “house” for the children were distinctly lighthearted and aimed at generating laughs from her following, her post offers a relatable look into the emotional dynamics of celebrity family life.
Lam continues to balance her highly visible entertainment career with her fitness brand and active motherhood, using her online presence to share both personal milestones and inspirational content about health and wellness. Families anticipating their own child’s first haircut may consider following her example, not just for the laughs but perhaps also to explore cultural traditions like the tai mao bi that transform a mundane event into a meaningful keepsake.
