Hong Kong entertainment icon Charlene Choi, widely known as Ah Sa, marked her 43rd birthday on Wednesday with a series of celebrations attended by famous friends, her rumored partner, and colleagues. The former Twins singer’s celebrations, which spanned several days, highlighted the powerful bonds of friendship within the Cantopop elite, including a particularly heartfelt tribute from her longtime best friend, Joey Yung.

Intimate Gatherings Mark Milestone Birthday

Choi’s birthday festivities kicked off earlier in the week, coinciding with a joint celebration for fellow celebrity C Kwan (Cheng Sze Kwan), who shares the same birth month. Notably present at these gatherings was Elvis, Choi’s personal fitness trainer and rumored boyfriend, who was seen posing alongside the star in shared photographs, lending credence to speculation regarding their relationship status.

However, the most highly anticipated moment came on Wednesday afternoon when fellow Cantopop queen Joey Yung shared intimate pictures from their celebration on social media. The images featured Yung, Choi, actor Kenny Kwan, and their influential manager, Mani Fok.

Yung and the birthday girl wore matching “best friend” outfits, adding a playful element to the gathering. In a demonstrative show of affection, Yung posted a photo where she playfully imitated a “wall-pinning” move, popularly known as bīdōng, before delivering what she captioned a “SheShe kiss” to Choi.

A Decade of Unbreakable Friendship

Accompanying the pictures, Yung shared a deeply affectionate public message, wishing her friend well. “May you enjoy all the very best, because you deserve it. Happy birthday my love!” Yung wrote.

Choi immediately responded, commenting on Yung’s post with equal warmth and humor. In a playful nod to their enduring, deep friendship that spans decades, Choi wrote, “Thank you my ‘diaper-wet’ best friend, love u~!”—a common colloquialism suggesting a bond dating back to infancy.

The public exchange underscored the strong and supportive network that exists among these high-profile figures in the Hong Kong cinematic and music scenes. Both Yung and Choi have cultivated massive careers, both individually and through their work together, often supporting each other through professional ventures and personal milestones.

The Role of Support Systems in Stardom

The visibility of these celebrations offers a glimpse into the personal lives of celebrities often under intense public scrutiny. For stars like Charlene Choi, whose professional life spans acting, singing, and endorsement deals, having a stable and loyal personal circle is crucial for navigating the pressures of the entertainment industry.

The inclusion of alleged flame Elvis in multiple birthday photos also provides continued visibility for their relationship, which has been closely watched by fans and media. While neither party has formally confirmed a romantic relationship, his repeated attendance at private, significant events indicates a close bond and shared social circles.

As Choi enters her 43rd year, the outpouring of affection from her colleagues and the continued strong presence of her closest friends demonstrate not just her enduring appeal to fans, but the vital, stabilizing friendships that sustain long-term careers in the competitive global entertainment landscape. Such public displays of camaraderie reinforce the human element behind the celebrity facade, offering relatable moments of joy and loyalty to their international audience.

Three prominent Hong Kong actresses—Niki Chow, Kathy Yuen, and Gladys Li—participated in a promotional event yesterday evening, stepping into roles as “Store Managers for a Day” to generate buzz for their upcoming film, “The Insider.” The event, which included an interactive trading card (flash card) dispensing machine, served as a platform for the stars to share personal anecdotes about their careers, family lives, and future projects.

Nostalgia and New Beginnings: The Flash Card Revival

While engaging with fans at the specially themed pop-up shop, the conversation quickly turned to the nostalgic appeal of collectible flash cards, a staple of Asian pop culture.

Niki Chow, a veteran of Hong Kong’s entertainment scene, confessed that she avoids revisiting her own early photo cards, though she still occasionally signs them for dedicated fans. Her co-star, Kathy Yuen, recounted her own collection history, expressing regret that her treasured set featuring the legendary “Four Heavenly Kings” of canto-pop was lost during a move after her mother discarded them. Yuen also highlighted a professional milestone: her current collaboration on “The Insider” marks her second film project alongside international star Aaron Kwok, noting that her confidence on set has significantly increased since their initial pairing. Gladys Li shared that her prized childhood possession was a collection devoted to her idol, singer-actress Ivana Wong.

Niki Chow Balances Motherhood and Career Revival

Beyond movie promotions, Niki Chow offered an exciting update for her fanbase: she is actively planning a major concert in Hong Kong next year, following a successful performance in Macau. Chow candidly discussed the motivation behind her career resurgence after taking time to focus on family.

“My son is rapidly growing, and now that he’s five, it’s time for me to genuinely return to work to prove that I still have a real job,” Chow stated.

The actress humorously revealed that her son remains unaware of her celebrity status. Based on props and memorabilia found around their home—including a safety patrol Ambassador hat and old police drama stills—her son strongly believes she is a retired police officer. He has even informed his schoolmates that his mother stopped policing solely to care for him. This accidental identity confusion, Chow admitted, has its advantages.

“I haven’t felt the need to correct him, because he holds me in high regard; he is respectfully intimidated by me,” she explained. Her husband occasionally capitalizes on this perception, using an old still of Chow and Michael Tse from a police series to encourage good behavior when their son acts out.

Chow and Yuen both confessed a shared reluctance about fully explaining the multifaceted nature of an acting career to their young children. Kathy Yuen noted that her daughter currently only associates her mother with the cakes she bakes, rather than her profession as an actress. The stars agree that it is perhaps better for their children to grasp the scope of their entertainment careers organically as they mature.

Implications for Hong Kong Cinema

The energized promotional event underscores a push to reconnect cinema with its audience following production constraints earlier in the decade. The stars’ willingness to share intimate details about their personal lives and upcoming professional developments—including new concerts and major film collaborations—is a calculated effort to build anticipation for “The Insider.”

The film’s release is expected to provide a needed boost to the local box office, showcasing the enduring appeal of established Hong Kong talent alongside rising stars like Li. With Chow aiming for a major return to the stage and Yuen consolidating her film career, their collective star power appears stronger than ever. Fans will eagerly await details of Chow’s Hong Kong concert next year, marking a significant return to the spotlight for the popular actress.