Hong Kong singer and performer Yan Ting “YT” Chow is trading the stage for the director’s chair, announcing his first feature film project, the crime drama Rainy Night’s Fugitive (working title), and revealed that veteran actor Dayo Wong will headline the cast. The announcement came with the release of the film’s concept poster on Tuesday.
The project, which has been in development for seven to eight years, marks a significant career pivot for the 35-year-old artist, who recently wrapped two sold-out concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum. Chow described the long-gestating project as a labor of love, noting the script went through countless rewrites before production was greenlit.
“I’m thrilled to finally bring this story to life,” Chow said in a statement. “Our team has poured immense effort into the concept, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with a range of exceptional actors. My hope is that, both in front of and behind the camera, we can create a film that ignites something new.”
While this is Chow’s first time directing a full-length feature, he is no stranger to the craft. The multi-hyphenate artist has directed numerous music videos and commercials throughout his career, and he personally helmed his own debut concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum—an event that featured elaborate staging and choreography.
Still, Chow acknowledged that live performance and filmmaking require different skill sets. A concert, he explained, is a deeply personal, singular vision, whereas filmmaking is a collaborative process that demands shared storytelling.
“Performing on stage is about my own expression, but film is a collective medium,” he said. “Everyone brings their best to the table, and the cast will be revealed in stages—each chapter adding a new layer. I’m genuinely excited about that process.”
The casting of Wong—a beloved comedic actor known for his work with Stephen Chow and iconic roles in films like All’s Well, Ends Well—adds significant star power to the project. While plot details remain under wraps, the concept poster hints at a moody, atmospheric thriller set against Hong Kong’s rain-soaked streets.
Rainy Night’s Fugitive is currently in pre-production, with principal photography expected to begin later this year. Chow said he hopes to blend genre thrills with character-driven drama, a balance he says he has long admired in the works of Hong Kong’s golden-era filmmakers.
The film is part of a broader wave of new-generation directors reinterpreting classic local genres with modern sensibilities. For Chow, it’s also a personal milestone. “This is a dream I’ve carried for years,” he said. “Now that it’s finally happening, I can’t wait to share it with the audience.”
No release date has been announced yet, but with the script locked and casting underway, industry insiders expect the film to hit theaters in late 2025.