HONG KONG – After returning from the United Kingdom, Hong Kong entertainer Lam Nga-sze has faced a string of setbacks in her job search, including alleged sexual harassment and repeated offers below market rates. Speaking Wednesday at a media preview for the 27th Hong Kong Animation and Comic Festival 2026, Lam admitted she is navigating a turbulent period, juggling family issues and disputes with her ex-husband, which have taken a toll on her emotional well-being.
Lam, who studied and lived in the UK before moving back to Hong Kong, said she suspects her past public image combined with a sluggish economy are to blame for her difficulty finding stable employment. “I just want a proper job, but it’s so hard,” she told reporters. To make ends meet, she now streams on mainland Chinese platforms, works as a public relations consultant for private firms, and performs at live events on the mainland.
The income helps cover the high tuition fees for her son, who is attending university in the UK. Lam added that while she is eager to work, she refuses to accept unreasonably low pay. “When the offer is too low, I’d rather walk away. I don’t want to undercut the market or ruin it for others,” she said.
During the event, Lam posed for photos with a muscular male companion, whom she playfully described as her “bodyguard.” She declined to elaborate on their relationship.
Veteran Actor Lau Sek-ming Shares Advice for Aspiring Stars
Also attending the preview was 62-year-old actor Lau Sek-ming, who said he has been focusing on television dramas and preparing for a solo concert in mainland China. He revealed that his daughter, Lau On-ching, has inherited his passion for performing and is currently filming a drama in Taiwan.
Lau shared that he recently gave his daughter a “starter kit” of advice for entering the industry. “Be grounded. Don’t be too flashy,” he said, recalling wisdom from late veteran actor Kwan Hoi-san: “Learn to be a good person before learning to be an actor.” Lau stressed that maintaining integrity is key to weathering criticism. “If you walk a straight path, you don’t need to take others’ words to heart. Just focus on being yourself.”
Influencer Lau Tsz-yi Apologizes Over Photo-Editing Controversy
In a separate incident, social media influencer Lau Tsz-yi addressed a controversy over a photo she posted online. She had taken a selfie at a racecourse that accidentally included fellow attendee Fong Yuen, the wife of Hong Kong pop king Aaron Kwok. While Lau applied beauty filters to her own image, she uploaded the photo without editing Fong Yuen’s appearance, leading netizens to accuse her of being calculating.
Lau explained the situation as a careless mistake. “I was in a hurry and didn’t check properly before uploading,” she said. She emphasized that both Kwok and his wife are “beautiful people” and expressed regret over the unintended stir. She added that she plans to attend Kwok’s upcoming concert at the Kai Tak Sports Park later this year, hoping for a chance to take a proper photo with the couple.
Broader Impact
These candid disclosures from Hong Kong entertainment figures highlight the pressures of re-entering the workforce amid a challenging economic climate, the importance of mentorship for the next generation of performers, and the intense scrutiny public figures face in the age of social media. As the Animation and Comic Festival opens to the public this weekend, industry observers expect these personal stories to resonate with audiences navigating their own professional and digital challenges.
