HONG KONG—Isabella Kou Hung-ping, the 1982 third runner-up of the Miss Hong Kong pageant, recently offered a rare and candid account of her nine-month imprisonment for tax evasion in 2022, detailing the profound internal shift spurred by her conviction and subsequent incarceration. Speaking on the Commercial Radio program Ben and Benson’s Chur-to-Hang, Kou recounted the initial shock of the court’s ruling and shared how faith ultimately guided her through the experience, transforming a feared ordeal into a period of self-reflection and growth.
The former celebrity entrepreneur described the moment the verdict was delivered as a thunderbolt, instantly generating a feeling of disbelief and the insistent question, “Why me?” Prior media depictions of prison life, she admitted, had instilled deep fear. While being transported from the courthouse, Kou found herself praying intensely: “God, if I cannot bear this, please take me now.” Counterintuitively, she found the strength to endure, later realizing the experience was survivable.
Adapting to a Regimented New Society
Kou described the prison environment as being strictly regulated, noting the routine began with a 6:15 a.m. wake-up and ended promptly at 10:45 p.m. lights-out. Interacting with inmates from diverse nationalities and socioeconomic backgrounds became a forced lesson in humility and community engagement. She characterized the facility as a “new microcosm of society” where she relearned how to relate to others.
Shedding the trappings of celebrity proved simpler than expected. “I entered almost as if in a dream,” Kou explained, recalling how, after her initial prayer in the transport vehicle, she accepted her fate. “It was nice not having to wear makeup, dye my hair, or worry about what to wear; we had uniforms.” She pointed out that contrary to cinematic portrayals, inmates were addressed by their names, not numbers, citing her own moniker: “Sister Ping.”
Kou was surprised by the required level of cleanliness and hygiene standards within the facility. Due to pandemic-era protocols, she and her six to seven roommates were responsible for meticulous upkeep, including weekly deep cleaning sessions using potent disinfectants. This rigorous routine, she noted, effectively deterred pests; she observed cockroaches unable to enter the room, often found belly-up outside the barrier due to the pervasive scent of antiseptic. Even the communal toilet had stringent rules: “If there was a single drop of water, we had to wipe it dry,” she stated.
Finding Peace in Monotony and Reflection
During her term, Kou was assigned to the relatively benign task of counting medical masks. While tedious, she was grateful for the clean working conditions, which included both heating and air conditioning, contrasting her role favorably with assignments in the kitchen or laundry.
The most profound hardship, however, was the separation from her family. Without access to mobile phones, communication relied solely on letters. To cope with the isolation, she drew parallels between her confinement and the long sea voyages undertaken by her late seaman father, allowing her to accept her current reality. This period also became one of intense self-study, buoyed by extensive reading of spiritual texts and martial arts novels by Louis Cha (Jin Yong).
Upon her release, Kou initially struggled with anxiety concerning public perception, leading her to restrict her social outings. “It depends on whether you can let go,” she reflected. “In the first six months, I was nervous.” She preferred private, one-on-one meetings with close friends, sharing her experience openly in intimate settings before gradually relaxing her self-imposed isolation.
Kou expressed deep gratitude toward friends in the business community who reached out, warmly welcoming her back and offering social invitations and potential collaborations. This overwhelming support proved crucial in rebuilding her self-assurance. Having put the incident behind her, Kou stated she is confidently charting a new course for her personal and professional life.