Seasoned performer Kong Mei-yee says pampered upbringing leaves new talent lacking basic table manners, reveals she coached a Miss Hong Kong contestant in just three days.
HONG KONG – Veteran Hong Kong actress Kong Mei-yee has sparked a heated online debate after bluntly criticizing a new generation of performers she says were raised in overprotected environments, with many lacking even fundamental dining etiquette such as how to hold chopsticks correctly.
Appearing on director Patrick Kong’s YouTube talk show Casting this week, the award-winning star shared an anecdote about personally instructing a Miss Hong Kong pageant contestant on proper chopstick technique. “I asked her directly: ‘Can you learn how to use chopsticks?’” Kong recounted. To her surprise, the young woman mastered the skill in just three days.
Social Media Speculation Swirls
The remarks immediately ignited a flurry of online speculation, with netizens scrambling to identify which former Miss Hong Kong participant was the subject of Kong’s story. The actress has previously worked alongside several pageant alumnae, including Kwok Pak-yin, Wong Ka-man, and Wang Minci, on the travel-and-food program Cantonese Gourmet Guide. Behind-the-scenes footage from that show showed the group dining together, and Wang Minci had publicly thanked Kong for teaching her chopstick fundamentals.
In the same episode of Casting, a clip played showing Wang Minci expressing gratitude to Kong during filming in Shunde. “When the crew told me I’d be working with you, I was so excited,” Wang said, fighting back tears. “But at first I was nervous because you are such great seniors. Yet you were so kind. Sister Mei-yee taught me so much—like how to hold chopsticks.” Co-host Mak Cheung-ching jokingly called that her biggest achievement of the shoot. Wang continued, tearing up, “She really took care of me like a child every day. I feel so lucky.”
A Handwritten Note of Thanks
A handwritten letter from Wang Minci to Kong has also emerged online. In it, Wang wrote: “Dear Sister Mei-yee, thank you for your care and concern over these past few days. I was initially worried about working with big stars, but I found you to be a kind, dedicated, and beautiful big sister. You truly treated me like a child. I never thought I could finally learn to use chopsticks after 20 years! I’ve learned so much from you, and I will keep working hard to shine as brightly as you one day.”
The exchange highlights a broader cultural conversation about the preparedness of young entertainers entering Hong Kong’s competitive showbiz industry. Kong’s comments have resonated with many viewers who argue that basic social graces should be non-negotiable, while others defend young talents as simply products of changing family dynamics.
Broader Implications for Hong Kong Entertainment
Industry observers note that the debate taps into longstanding tensions between veteran and emerging generations in Hong Kong’s entertainment sector. As the local film and television industry struggles to cultivate new stars amid competition from mainland China, mentorship relationships like Kong’s with Wang may prove essential.
For aspiring performers, the takeaway is clear: technical talent alone is not enough. Etiquette, humility, and a willingness to learn from seasoned professionals remain critical to long-term success. Kong’s frankness may also encourage more open dialogue about professional standards—and perhaps prompt a few more young stars to pick up their chopsticks with confidence.