Award-winning Hong Kong actress Gigi Leung, star of the recently released film The Upside Down Half-Time, hosted a special live broadcast from Barcelona’s iconic Spotify Camp Nou stadium, sharing the experience with her castmates and audiences back home while visiting Spain for the holidays. Leung, currently on a family trip to her husband’s native Spain to visit elder relatives, managed an hours-long queue to gain entry to the hallowed grounds of FC Barcelona, transforming the pilgrimage into an immersive promotional event for the film.
Leung expressed regret about missing post-screening audience appreciation events with her team in Hong Kong during the Christmas period. “It is truly a shame to miss celebrating with the crew, but I am flying back immediately after New Year’s Day to join the cast and meet cinema-goers,” she stated. Capitalizing on her location, Leung decided to connect with the film’s young cast—known as the “Gong Hei Team” in the movie—by leading a virtual tour of the stadium while adopting her on-screen role as a football team manager.
Bridging On-Screen Sport and Real-Life Ambitions
During the Monday evening (HKT) livestream, Leung shared behind-the-scenes insights and anecdotes with young co-stars Audrey Chow (Chow Chi Yuet), Ryan Sin (Sin Cheuk Kiu), and Renz Tam (Tam Chun Yin). Chow, who plays a professional footballer in the sports drama, received special encouragement from Leung, who wished the promising talent a bright future on the international pitch.
Leung praised Chow’s performance, noting how the film brilliantly showcased her real-life athletic prowess. “Many audiences recognize you now, realizing this beautiful young woman is actually a professional player,” Leung shared. “Your feature debut is magnificent; the director captured your inspiring determination perfectly, embodying that resilient cousin character.” Chow, in turn, thanked the production team for their trust. “I am grateful the director chose me, a girl with little acting experience, from so many candidates,” she said, emphasizing the role of acting coaches in making the filming process smooth.
Tackling Filming Challenges and Celebrating Team Spirit
Leung reflected on her initial hesitancy about accepting a movie centered on children’s football, citing market uncertainty around the theme. However, she affirmed the project’s worthiness after seeing the dedication of the young cast. “We endured the entire month of August together, and seeing the finished product after witnessing how hard you all worked without complaint has made it entirely worthwhile,” the actress revealed.
The cast also highlighted the breakout nature of other young actors, particularly Ryan Sin (who plays Alan), whom audiences have praised for his quick wit and sharp responses, branding him a potential “stand-up comedian talent.”
As a thoughtful gesture during the Spanish visit, Leung commissioned custom FC Barcelona number 10 jerseys, each printed with the English names of the five lead child actors. She also revealed plans to give away three additional custom jerseys to lucky audiences of The Upside Down Half-Time, further encouraging cinema turnout. The film, which has received warm reviews for its uplifting story, continues its theatrical run, celebrating themes of sportsmanship, resilience, and teamwork.
