HONG KONG – Veteran Cantopop artist and actress Charlene Choi, affectionately known as Ah Sa, marked her 43rd birthday on Wednesday, sharing deeply personal reflections on valuing presence, health, and loved ones over societal pressures concerning age and physique. The star, celebrating with multiple gatherings and friends, utilized her social media platform to post celebratory photos and offer fans a candid glimpse into her evolving priorities following recent personal losses and health scares among close acquaintances.

The annual celebration was more than just cake; it was a moment of profound acknowledgment for Choi. In her heartfelt post accompanying images of her holding a birthday cake, the singer explained that while she enjoys festive activities and rituals, the core purpose of her birthday remains simply savoring time with those who love her.

Redefining Success and Self-Worth

Addressing her audience, the star frankly discussed how she views the often-scrutinized metrics of celebrity life. Choi openly revealed that her current body weight is the highest it has ever been, but critically asserted, “So what?” She noted a significant shift in perspective common in life’s later stages, where concerns like age and weight diminish in importance compared to inner happiness and life’s genuine components.

“As you reach a certain stage,” she wrote, “some things become less important—age, weight, for example. Your heart tells you what you want and what truly matters in life’s composition.”

This introspection was heightened by what she described as recent experiences with the illness and passing of loved ones. These events reinforced her determination to “cherish the present moment, cherish the people around you, and cherish health.”

Choi acknowledged that some fans might perceive her as less “hardworking” this year compared to the past. She clarified that her effort hasn’t vanished but has simply been redirected toward different areas of her life, indicating that personal priorities naturally shift with different life phases.

A Joint Celebration and Commitment to Joy

The birthday celebrations commenced early with a massive joint party held just before her official birthday. Choi teamed up with fellow contemporary artist Cheng Sze Chun, known as C-Kun, who shares the exact same birthday. The marathon event stretched across 14 hours, underlining the star’s commitment to enjoying life to the fullest.

“This year, C-Kun and I finally managed to schedule a party together,” Choi shared online, “we played from one in the afternoon until three in the morning—you need serious stamina for that!”

Photos from the event were widely shared, showing Choi surrounded by a large group of friends. Among the attendees was her rumored boyfriend, fitness instructor Elvis, who was visibly present in the group photo. Choi expressed deep gratitude to all her friends for their unwavering support: “Thank you to all my friends who accompany me to eat, drink, play, and go crazy. Love you guys so much!”

C-Kun, reflecting on the arduous yet fulfilling celebration, jokingly thanked Choi for the invitation and expressed his sole birthday wish: “My wish is to play video games all day tomorrow!”

Choi concluded her message by committing to self-acceptance, noting that she initiated a birthday photoshoot this year explicitly to document her current self, embracing the possibility of more wrinkles or higher weight next year. She finished with an empowering affirmation, asserting that every step she takes is a deliberate choice, and she knows she is surrounded by love and operating from a place of joy. Her message of “Happy Birthday” extended not just to herself, but to her fans, hoping they too find happiness beyond the single day of celebration.

A constellation of Hong Kong television personalities, including Benjamin Yuen and rising stars Franchesca Wong and Kelly Fu, gathered in Tsim Sha Tsui today to launch the annual TVB fundraising spectacular, Fun for Charity. The press conference highlighted the ambitious and varied performances planned, underscoring the cast’s commitment to philanthropic efforts through high-stakes stunts and musical collaborations set to air later this year.

Leading the charge in risk-taking is veteran actor Benjamin Yuen, who is reviving his high-difficulty motorcycle stunt for the event—an act he last performed seven years ago. Yuen confessed that becoming a husband and father has shifted his perspective on dangerous performances, introducing a new psychological hurdle.

“While I have that innate adventurous spirit, the responsibilities of being a parent now impact how I approach these risks,” Yuen stated. “But with adequate rehearsal time, I am confident we can deliver a spectacular show.”

Bridging Generations Through Music

Beyond his stunt work, Yuen will participate in a unique musical segment designed to span three generations of Hong Kong talent. He is set to perform alongside seasoned legends such as rock icon Tai Lung Ng (Summer Fung) and Pal Sinn, sharing the stage with several contemporary, younger artists.

Addressing recent online commentary regarding a singing segment during the Anniversary Gala, Yuen defended his colleagues. Though he admitted he hadn’t yet watched the performance, he was aware of the discussions. “On-stage performance has standards, but live shows inherently offer an authentic feel,” he noted. “That segment was primarily about introducing younger artistes to the audience, and in that sense, their direction was correct. It relieves pressure when I think of my own performances this way.”

Parenthood and Personal Reflections

The actor also shared heartwarming details about his family life, having recently welcomed his second son, prompting him to reflect on the benefits of having children close in age. Yuen’s wife, Bowie Cheung, has been actively involved in preparing their elder son, nicknamed “Yuen Gu Lou,” for big brother duties.

“My elder son constantly introduces himself as ‘Brother Hei-yau,’ which is very comforting,” Yuen shared. Teasingly, he added that if they were to have a daughter next, she would be nicknamed “Yuen Kuen,” and following her arrival, he joked about emulating his colleague Tony Hung by getting a vasectomy.

Regarding his career, Yuen addressed concerns about his recent low profile, explaining he is awaiting new script assignments from his network. He confirmed that in December, he will travel to Malaysia for several months to film a movie, aiming to complete the project before the Lunar New Year holiday. His recent work has enjoyed a resurgence thanks to the re-airing of his drama Line Walker 2, which has also sparked fond memories of his deceased co-star, Lui Siu-hung (Benz Hung).

Emerging Talent Takes Center Stage

Hosting the charity spectacular is Kelly Fu, who will reunite with her broadcast partner, Jessica Ho. Ho recently garnered significant attention during the Anniversary Gala after winning 20 round-trip tickets to Bangkok.

“I’ve received so many congratulations that I realized I would need 200 tickets to satisfy all the friends who want to join me in Thailand,” Ho joked when asked about her prize. While she plans a trip with female friends, she confirmed she would share a ticket with her rumored boyfriend, Karl Ting, if he requested one.

Adding to the list of participants were rising stars Franchesca Wong and Lau Yeung, both making their debut at the major gala. Wong expressed his excitement about witnessing the collective effort and energy backstage, noting, “The extended rehearsals for the musical segment generated a palpable sense of anticipation and drive.”

Lau Yeung, who earned praise for his meticulous preparation and striking resemblance to his character—a butcher—in a recent sketch, described his commitment to realism. “I observed butchers in the wet market, even copying a detail like the cupping marks on one artisan’s back to ensure authenticity,” he said. While his role for the charity show is focused on singing, he hinted at adding a dance routine should the director approve.

The forthcoming charity gala highlights the enduring spirit of community and the willingness of Hong Kong’s entertainment industry to utilize their platforms for positive societal impact, promising an evening of high entertainment for a vital cause.

HONG KONG—Acclaimed television and entertainment icon Liza Wang (affectionately known as “Ah Jeh”) is set to grace screens in a highly anticipated new travel series, See the World with Ah Jeh, following a public launch event held today (Nov. 21) in Hong Kong. The veteran star, joined by her husband Law Kar-ying and co-presenters Chow Ka-lok, Chow Yi-wai, and Yuen Ho-yan, shared behind-the-scenes insights into the production, which saw the crew explore global destinations including Japan, Bhutan, and Australia.

Wang confessed initial skepticism about the project, jokingly questioning the utility of a show centered on her travels. However, she was ultimately convinced by the producer, determined to prove her sustained relevance in the industry. The series promises an intimate look at Wang’s life, alongside lighter moments of adventure and reflection.

Combining Private Life and Professional Travel

One of the more unique aspects of the show is the inclusion of her partner, opera master Law Kar-ying. Wang initially hesitated to feature their private relationship on camera, fearing the interactions might appear artificial or overly staged. She ultimately agreed, yielding what co-star Yuen Ho-yan described as candid, even “girlish” moments from Wang during video calls with Law while shooting abroad.

During the press conference, the presenting team reinforced the star’s central role, presenting her with custom cushions depicting their likenesses. In a playful gesture reinforcing her real-life partnership, Wang strictly embraced the cushion featuring Law Kar-ying.

Law Kar-ying, speaking about the blurring of their professional and private lives, firmly stated that he views the filming solely as professional work. Conversely, Wang admitted to a general reluctance toward exposing her personal affairs to the camera’s gaze.

Health Scares and Overcoming Phobias

The production was not without its challenges. During a shoot in Japan, Wang experienced a period of vocal distress, temporarily losing her voice. Law Kar-ying voiced significant concern at the time, specifically worrying that the ailment might jeopardize her scheduled singing performances in Shanghai.

“I feared it might disappoint the patrons who had bought tickets,” Law said. Fortunately, Wang made a quick recovery after seeking medical attention in Japan. “Sickness is unavoidable,” Wang noted, adding that after four days of medication, her voice recovered, allowing her to complete the show’s necessary voice-over work later.

The series also documented Wang overcoming a personal phobia. While co-star Chow Ka-lok recalled Wang displaying fear during high-altitude activities in Australia, Wang stated she later conquered her acrophobia while taking a hot air balloon flight. Law Kar-ying, however, remained unconvinced, cheekily admitting his own struggles with heights, recalling shaky legs while crossing a suspension bridge in Bhutan.

Asked if he might star in a subsequent spin-off, See the World with Kar-ying, Law joked that the decision was beyond his control, but expressed a desire to travel with Wang to Sweden and New Zealand, perhaps capturing photos in traditional ethnic clothing instead of Western bridal portraits.

The show’s co-stars offered warm recollections of their time with the legend. Chow Yi-wai disclosed that he accompanied Wang to an ear, nose, and throat specialist in Japan, noting that she tightly held his hand during an endoscopic examination—a moment that taught him the responsibilities of caregiving. Chow Ka-lok also highlighted Wang’s deep interest in romantic relationships, recalling how she pursued him with persistent questions about his love life, to which he only vaguely replied, “Let’s have a drink first.” Yuen Ho-yan, who recalled meeting Wang decades ago at his grandmother Helena Law Lan’s 60th birthday, emphasized the star’s consistently humble demeanor.

The series is poised to offer viewers a unique blend of global adventure, candid personal reflections, and the enduring on-screen and off-screen partnership of two of Hong Kong’s most respected artists.