Lede
Hong Kong actress Choi Bik-ka, 38, has initiated criminal and civil proceedings against former Mr. Hong Kong winner Rocky Cheng, 59, after he publicly detailed their alleged relationship on a televised dating program, escalating a months-long dispute that both parties describe in starkly conflicting terms.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict erupted last year when Cheng unilaterally announced what he called a “father-daughter romance” with Choi. The actress and her management firm swiftly denied any romantic involvement, calling the claims defamatory. Her company issued a strong statement asserting that the matter involves potential criminal infringement and defamation, and confirmed they had launched both legal and police complaints. The statement concluded that Choi and Cheng have “no connection whatsoever” going forward.
The controversy deepened this month when Cheng appeared as a contestant on TVB’s dating reality show “Goddess Matching Plan 2.” During the program, he revealed that after his divorce he dated four women, including one much younger—around 25 or 26 years old. He claimed another ex-girlfriend was highly secretive, and that he never knew her address or workplace. When host Kong Mei-yee challenged whether he had unilaterally defined the relationship, Cheng denied it, asserting that the woman in question called him “husband” and that they had a physical relationship.
Choi’s Public Rebuke
Choi responded forcefully on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday. “To continue fabricating intimate stories just for variety show appearances, traffic, and effects—to abandon basic respect, dignity, and the bottom line of humanity—is truly pathetic,” she wrote.
Her post did not name Cheng directly but was widely interpreted as a direct response to his televised remarks. The actress has not given further interviews, leaving her legal team to handle the matter.
Legal Implications and Broader Context
Legal experts in Hong Kong note that defamation claims involving public figures can be complex, especially when both parties offer conflicting narratives without concrete evidence. Choi’s camp has stressed that the alleged breach of privacy—involving the sharing of private conversations and intimate details—may constitute criminal offenses under Hong Kong’s laws against harassment and unauthorized disclosure of personal data.
The case has drawn attention partly because of the age gap—Cheng is 21 years older than Choi—and the starkly different accounts. Cheng, a former fitness trainer and TV personality, won the Mr. Hong Kong pageant decades ago but has remained in the public eye through reality shows. Choi, a model and actress known for her roles in Hong Kong cinema, has tried to distance herself from the controversy publicly.
Next Steps and Impact
As legal proceedings move forward, both sides appear entrenched. Cheng has not responded publicly to Choi’s latest Instagram post. Meanwhile, Choi’s management has vowed to pursue all available legal remedies, including criminal complaints, to protect her reputation.
The affair underscores the risks celebrities face when private relationships become public spectacles, especially in an era where reality TV and social media amplify personal disputes into viral dramas. For viewers, it serves as a reminder that not every on-screen confession reflects the full truth—and that legal consequences can follow when stories are told without consent.
