Hong Kong – Former TVB actor Darryl Chan proved that not even a Category 9 typhoon could derail his wedding plans, as he and his fiancée, ViuTV alumna Winky Leung, defiantly carried out their traditional Chinese betrothal ceremony Wednesday as Typhoon Rainslasher lashed the city.
Chan, best known for his role as “Tan Zi” on the long-running sitcom Come Home Love: Lo and Behold, faced gusting winds and torrential rain to deliver an elaborate dowry to Leung’s family home. The ceremony, known as “guo da li,” is a cornerstone of Cantonese wedding tradition, symbolizing the groom’s sincerity and respect for the bride’s family.
Despite the Hong Kong Observatory hoisting the No. 9 Severe Weather Signal—a level that typically brings the city to a standstill—Chan and his groomsmen pressed ahead with the procession. Social media images showed the group carrying an extravagant spread through the storm, determined to complete the ritual.
“The typhoon couldn’t break us apart,” Leung wrote on her social media account, captioning photos of the event. “The betrothal is done. The deposit is paid, Signal No. 9 and all.” She expressed gratitude to both families, the bridal party, and neighbors who helped host relatives amid the foul weather.
The dowry display was marked by its opulence. Highlights included premium dried seafood such as sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish maw; a towering fruit basket; traditional Cantonese pastries; and a whole roasted suckling pig placed at the center. Perhaps most striking was the “gold formation”—a set of one large and four small dragon-and-phoenix bangles, a luxury watch, and a ruby ring set in a gift box. In return, Chan received generous red envelopes, or lai see, from his future in-laws.
Leung also shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote, revealing that the decorations she had painstakingly assembled the night before fell apart by morning. She had to wake up at 6 a.m. to redo the entire setup before the guests arrived.
Chan proposed to Leung last year. Leung gained public attention as a contestant on ViuTV’s talent show King Maker III. The couple’s decision to maintain the traditional ceremony despite extreme weather has resonated with many in Hong Kong, where such rites are seen as a test of a couple’s commitment.
Broader Implications: The event highlights a resurgence of interest in traditional Chinese wedding customs among younger Hong Kong couples, even as modern life often favors simpler ceremonies. The couple’s determination amid a natural disruption also serves as a reminder of the adaptability and resilience central to local wedding culture. As Leung hinted in her post—joking that guests should “get ready for the red bomb,” a slang term for wedding invitations—the pair are expected to set a wedding date soon.
For couples planning traditional betrothals, industry experts recommend preparing for weather contingencies, including securing indoor venues for the procession and having backup dates. But for Chan and Leung, the storm only cemented the message: their bond was unshakeable.
