Hong Kong actress Angela Yuen has secured her first major cinematic award, taking home the Best Actress prize at the 2025 New Zealand Asia Pacific Film Festival (NZAPFF) for her compelling role in the film Twenty-Four Flavours. The recognition highlights Yuen’s ascending career and the resilient spirit of the production, which overcame significant logistical challenges during its pandemic-era shoot.

The award-winning film, subtitled Twenty-Four Flavours, is a poignant exploration of family dynamics, trauma, and resilience. It provided Yuen with a transformative opportunity, marking her first collaboration, and subsequent mentorship, with legendary actress Sylvia Chang.

Collaboration Fuels Career Breakthrough

Yuen’s decision to join the cast of Twenty-Four Flavours was immediate upon learning of Sylvia Chang’s involvement. According to Yuen, the collaboration was instrumental in her professional development.

“I learned so much about acting precision and professional dedication from Sister Chang during the shoot,” Yuen remarked. This partnership quickly bore further fruit: “It was because of this experience that when Sister Chang began preparing for her next project, He Nian · Ta Ri (Years Ago, Days Later), I was the first person she proposed for the role of Anqing.”

Yuen extended deep gratitude to Chang for her mentorship and guidance, while also acknowledging the production team’s arduous efforts in completing the film safely and effectively amid global health restrictions. She expressed anticipation for the film’s broader public release.

Exploring Generational Trauma in a Vanishing Market

Directed and written by Wing-Lam Wong, Twenty-Four Flavours uses cinematic artistry to chronicle a deeply human story set against the backdrop of changing urban life and personal history. The ensemble cast also features veteran actor Kenny Bee.

The narrative centers on April (Yuen), who returns to her hometown after years abroad. She finds her long-divorced parents have reconciled, triggering painful memories of her youth when she desperately tried to save her parents’ marriage after her father’s infidelity.

The film’s core conflict revolves around a traditional herbal tea shop run by April’s mother, Qiaozhen (Sylvia Chang), which faces imminent demolition. April attempts to convince Qiaozhen to move abroad, but Qiaozhen is resolute in her desire to preserve the shop.

Meanwhile, April’s estranged father, Yongtang (Kenny Bee), returns to the family fold and secretly attempts to raise funds to secure the shop’s future, only to become entangled in a scam. The plot complexity deepens with the introduction of April’s fiercely independent half-sister, Xiaojing.

Key Thematic Elements of Twenty-Four Flavours:

• Reconciliation and Regret: The film analyzes the long-term impact of familial trauma and the difficulty of finding forgiveness.
• Urban Heritage: The threatened herbal tea shop symbolizes vanishing cultural traditions in modernizing cities.
• Self-Reflection: April’s journey home forces her to confront the past she has long evaded, piece by piece.

Yuen’s nuanced portrayal of April’s internal conflict—navigating filial duty, inherited trauma, and the necessity of self-discovery—earned critical acclaim at the NZAPFF. The win solidifies her standing as one of the most promising talents emerging from Hong Kong cinema, demonstrating how challenging production environments can foster exceptional artistic outcomes. The success of Twenty-Four Flavours underscores the enduring power of intimate, character-driven narratives to resonate on an international stage.

Hong Kong’s public figure and former television weather presenter, Icy Wong, announced this week that she has successfully completed a Master of Arts degree in Buddhist Studies from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Known for her previous roles in news and entertainment, the 40-something mother of two shared her milestone achievement on social media, reflecting on the personal journey and family support that underpinned her advanced studies, nearly a decade after her marriage to horse owner Alex Fung.

Transitioning from Broadcast to Academia

Wong, whose career initially blossomed as a recognizable weather personality on TVB News, has dedicated recent years to serious academic and culinary pursuits. Prior to her latest achievement, she had enhanced her professional skillset by undertaking a Le Cordon Bleu course in baking in Japan. Her recent foray into religious and philosophical studies marks a significant shift, showcasing her commitment to continuous self-improvement and intellectual exploration well into her 40s.

The announcement was accompanied by a photograph of Wong in her graduation attire, symbolizing the culmination of her intensive graduate work. In a deeply personal reflection, she contrasted this recent graduation with her undergraduate ceremony two decades prior.

“I have a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies from CUHK,” Wong stated on her platform. “Twenty years ago, Dad and Grandma witnessed my bachelor’s graduation. Today, they are no longer here for my Master’s graduation. I am over 40. Accompanying me today are my husband and two daughters. This is life.”

This poignant statement underscores the broader human context of academic achievement. While her primary supporters from two decades ago are gone, her current phase of life is characterized by the support of her immediate family—her husband and two young daughters—highlighting the evolving nature of life’s milestones and the enduring importance of familial bonds.

The Appeal of Buddhist Studies

Wong’s pursuit of a Master’s degree in Buddhist Studies reflects a growing trend among accomplished professionals seeking deeper meaning, philosophical grounding, and a comprehensive understanding of Eastern thought. Buddhist Studies programs typically encompass areas such as the historical development of Buddhism, philosophical analysis of core texts, and the integration of Buddhist principles into contemporary ethical and social issues.

For individuals like Wong, who operate within the high-pressure environment of public life, advanced study in this field often provides a valuable framework for resilience, mindfulness, and ethical decision-making. CUHK’s Faculty of Arts, known for its rigorous program, prepares graduates not only for further research but also for applying these principles in education, counseling, and various public service roles.

Wong’s dual commitment to her family life and advanced education serves as an inspiration for others contemplating a significant career or academic shift later in life. Her journey demonstrates that high-level intellectual pursuits remain accessible and beneficial regardless of one’s professional background or age. As she transitions to her next chapter, the deep knowledge acquired through her studies is expected to inform her public contributions and personal philosophy.

Malaysian singer-songwriter Namewee (Wee Meng Chee) was detained and subsequently released on bail in connection with the sudden death—now being investigated as a murder—of Taiwanese social media influencer Hsieh Yu-Hsin. The inquiry, which shifted from a focus on sudden death on November 4 to a homicide investigation, placed Namewee under scrutiny as the last person known to have been with the deceased. Following nine days in police custody and intensive questioning across multiple investigative units, the prominent artist was granted verbal bail until November 26, pending the release of critical autopsy results.

Namewee, who frequently makes headlines for his outspoken political and cultural commentary, broke his silence on November 14, describing the harrowing experience of his detention and the trauma of witnessing Hsieh’s final moments. His account revealed a grueling process involving numerous police departments and hours of detailed questioning, underscoring the severity and meticulous nature of the ongoing investigation.

Nine Days of Intensive Police Interrogation

In a statement posted across his social media channels, Namewee detailed the extensive collaboration of Malaysian authorities, who are assisting in the investigation. He stated that his nine-day detention, which he referred to by the colloquial term “Lokap,” was the longest period he has ever spent in custody. Over the first week and a half, he was subjected to questioning by six distinct police units, consistently undergoing interviews lasting over eight hours, with one session extending to 15 hours.

The units involved reportedly included the Criminal Investigation Department, the D9 Serious Crime Unit, the D.W. Narcotic Investigation Section, the Royal Drug Trafficking Investigation Department, and a special task force specifically deployed by the Inspector-General of Police.

“They used varied methods to repeatedly record my statements, utilizing advanced technological means for extensive investigation and data organization. The process of peeling back the layers was highly professional,” the singer recounted. This level of multisectoral coordination highlights the complexity and high profile nature of the case, which spans international jurisdictions and involves a public figure.

Emotional Toll and Plea for Respect

Beyond the procedural details of the investigation, Namewee conveyed the profound emotional impact of the incident. He described the shock and helplessness of witnessing Hsieh’s death, stating that despite his attempts to intervene, his efforts were “futile.” He noted that the image of her passing would “forever remain in my mind.”

The influencer, Hsieh Yu-Hsin, was reportedly known for creating content on platforms such as OnlyFans. Namewee directly addressed the subsequent online commentary and harassment directed at the deceased, imploring the public to suspend judgment and internet abuse.

“Finally, I hope everyone stops viewing other people’s professions through prejudiced lenses,” he wrote. “Creating OnlyFans content does not imply she was a disreputable person. Please stop the cyberbullying against the deceased.” This appeal for sensitivity underscores the human element affected by the tragedy, shifting focus from the scandal to the necessity of respecting the dignity of the dead regardless of their livelihood.

Investigation Continues Pending Autopsy

Namewee’s bail condition is contingent upon the results of the official autopsy, which are expected to provide definitive clarity on the manner and cause of death. Until November 26, the investigation will proceed, likely focusing on forensic evidence and corroborated timelines. The professionalism and comprehensive approach detailed by the singer suggest local and international authorities are committed to an exhaustive inquiry to ascertain whether foul play was involved in Hsieh’s death.

The case remains a significant focus in both Malaysian and Taiwanese media, highlighting the intersection of celebrity involvement, social media culture, and complex criminal investigations. Observers stress the importance of awaiting verified findings before drawing conclusions, recognizing the heightened scrutiny faced by all parties involved.