The newly released Hong Kong film Golden Boy, starring Louis Cheung (張繼聰), achieved a significant box office milestone over the weekend, surpassing HK$2 million in cumulative revenue by Sunday evening following its Friday (21st) debut. The film’s early success was buoyed by high-profile promotional events, including a surprise appearance by renowned actor Nick Cheung (張家輝) and strong support from Louis Cheung’s family, highlighting the deeply personal connection the project holds for the cast and the local industry.

The box office figure of over HK$2 million was attained less than three days after the movie premiered, underscoring strong audience interest. Critical to the weekend’s publicity efforts was a special appreciation screening held on Saturday, where actor Nick Cheung made an unexpected appearance to endorse Louis Cheung’s performance. Nick Cheung light-heartedly explained to the enthusiastic crowd that he missed the initial premiere but felt compelled to attend the subsequent screening. His playful banter with Louis Cheung generated much laughter, particularly when he humorously accused Louis Cheung’s notably muscular physique of being the result of cosmetic procedures rather than genuine training, a form of good-natured “fake play” that captivated attendees.

The family presence at the screening underscored the event’s intimate nature. Louis Cheung’s wife, singer Kay Tse (謝安琪), served as the emcee for the evening. Also present to offer encouragement were their entire family, including daughter Kakaball and son Zhang Zhan, signifying overwhelming domestic backing for the project.

Industry Veteran Honors Actor’s Dedication

The film’s emotional resonance deepened during Sunday’s thank-you tour, as Louis Cheung and Kay Tse continued to engage with audiences across various cinemas. A moment of profound recognition occurred when media pioneer and influential figure Winnie Yu (俞琤) approached Louis Cheung. Yu offered effusive praise, presenting him with a cap inscribed with the phrase “Local Legend” and placing it on his head as a symbolic coronation.

Yu articulated that Golden Boy represented a gift from Louis Cheung to the people of Hong Kong. She lauded the actor’s persistence, stating that through “unremitting effort and incomparable resilience over a long period,” Louis Cheung showcased the “indomitable spirit” characteristic of Hong Kong natives. Yu concluded that the character of the Golden Boy embodied a legend that all Hong Kong citizens should take pride in.

The rapid accumulation of box office revenue for a local film is often seen as a positive indicator for Hong Kong cinema, demonstrating that projects rooted in local culture and themes can capture significant public attention. Golden Boy is now poised to capitalize on this early momentum as it heads into its first full week of release, with the emotional support and industry recognition reinforcing its status as a notable cultural event this season. Analysts will watch to see if the film’s dedicated fanbase and word-of-mouth acclaim can drive sustained success beyond the opening weekend.

Taipei, Taiwan — The 62nd Golden Horse Awards ceremony concluded Sunday in Taipei, celebrating cinematic excellence across the Chinese-speaking world, with veteran actor Chang Chen securing his second Best Actor trophy for his transformative role in The Road to Happiness. Mainland actress Fan Bingbing unexpectedly claimed Best Actress for her performance in Earth Mother, highlighting a night characterized by razor-thin differences, with the executive committee confirming seven categories decided by a single vote.

The evening’s most prestigious prizes were hotly contested, according to Wen Tien-Hsiang, executive director of the Golden Horse Executive Committee. Speaking at the awards’ press center, Wen revealed intense deliberation among the jury. Categories determined by just one vote included Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best New Performer, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Editing, and Best Animated Short Film.

In the Best Actress category, Fan Bingbing’s portrayal in Earth Mother triumphed over Kao Yi-ling in My Family’s Affairs. Wen praised Fan’s performance, noting her compelling transition “from complete composure to utter collapse, offering a remarkably fresh perspective” that ultimately swayed the panel.

The Best Actor race was equally gripping. While competitors like Hsu Rui-chi offered a vivid, emotive performance and Chang Hsiao-chuan showcased compelling restraint and explosive intensity, Chang Chen’s victory was secured by his nuanced, largely non-verbal work in The Road to Happiness. Despite the deliberate dramatic flair, Wen described Chang Chen’s portrayal—a near-monologue delivered within a brief narrative span—as possessing a poignant resonance. Rising Hong Kong talent Terrance Lau, though lauded for his creative rhythm and blend of tragicomic genius, ultimately conceded the award to Chang Chen.

Lau, who has now received the runner-up position for Best Actor for two consecutive years, brought humor to his celebrated defeat. At the winners’ celebration, he jokingly questioned the results, asking, “Who didn’t vote for me? I don’t believe this runner-up talk!” He reflected on his journey, recalling feeling isolated four years ago when first attending the awards as a Best Supporting Actor nominee. Now, he feels deeply connected to the Taiwanese film community, finding this sense of belonging “happier than winning a prize.”

For Chang Chen, the second Best Actor win, four years after his first, signals a shift in approach. The actor confessed that days before the ceremony, he sought peace and good luck from three local temples. An unremarkable piece of candy casually picked up after praying at the Fude Temple in Nangang became his unexpected “lucky charm,” which he plans to preserve alongside the trophy.

Chang Chen noted that his perspective on acting has evolved. Where previous roles were marked by tension and high pressure, he now embraces a more relaxed, enjoyable process. “I don’t desperately need to act,” Chang Chen stated, emphasizing that the driving force behind his career now is the sheer enjoyment and comfort he finds in the creative journey of performance. “Acting must be fun; allowing myself to relish the process is what keeps me going.”

The 62nd Golden Horse Awards not only honored current excellence but also underscored the vibrancy and highly competitive spirit of contemporary Chinese-language cinema, where subtle, deeply felt performances continue to captivate industry critics and audiences alike.

The South Korean action series Taxi Driver 3, featuring lead actor Lee Je-hoon, demonstrated continued audience dominance this week despite a fractional dip in viewership for its latest broadcast. The second episode, which aired Monday on the SBS television network, secured a robust 9.0% nationwide rating, confirming its position as the top-performing drama in its time slot, even as it experienced a slight 0.5 percentage point decrease from its premiere episode. The episode was highly anticipated due to the scheduled appearance of Cantopop star and Hong Kong sensation Edan Lui, a member of the boy band MIRROR.

Lui’s highly publicized guest appearance finally materialized in the second installment. He portrayed an international police detective tasked with hunting a notorious Japanese criminal syndicate specializing in kidnapping and human trafficking. His character sought the assistance of the series’ protagonist, Kim Do-gi (played by Lee Je-hoon), the primary driver and operative for the clandestine Rainbow Taxi Company, an outfit that offers vigilante justice to victims failed by the legal system.

The collaboration between the international law enforcement officer and the rogue vigilante driver was a central plot point. A particularly memorable segment was a tense, dramatic conversation between the two actors on a rooftop. Many viewers and critics noted the sequence’s striking thematic and aesthetic similarity to iconic scenes from the classic Hong Kong crime thriller Infernal Affairs. This cinematic homage underscore’s the show’s ambition to blend high-stakes drama with nostalgic undertones from the region’s rich filmmaking history.

The narrative arc of the episode centered on forming an unexpected alliance to tackle the sophisticated criminal enterprise. Ultimately, the partnership proved effective, delivering the show’s signature message: the triumph of justice over systemic evil. The seamless integration of Lui, a major star outside of the Korean entertainment industry, highlights the growing trend of cross-regional casting within Asian television production. Such collaborations not only drive local ratings but also significantly expand the show’s international appeal, particularly in Greater China.

Taxi Driver 3 is the latest iteration of the well-established franchise that draws its popularity from a compelling blend of thrilling action sequences, socially relevant themes, and the charismatic performance of Lee Je-hoon. The consistent maintenance of a commanding viewership, even with minor weekly variations, signals the show’s strong loyal audience base and its ability to deliver satisfying, high-quality entertainment. As the season progresses, industry observers will closely monitor whether the show can maintain or surpass the ratings achieved by its previous, highly successful seasons. The effective use of high-profile cameos, such as Lui’s, will likely remain a key strategy in sustaining momentum and extending the series’ global reach.