HONG KONG – A group of Hong Kong actors gathered Tuesday to promote their upcoming film “Wave Lovers,” sharing behind-the-scenes tales of fan-driven crowd scenes, on-set injuries, and creative—if cheeky—pledges to boost box office sales in a struggling local market.
Actors Jeffrey Ngai, Kenny Chu, Henick Chou, and Renci Yeung appeared at the promotional event, revealing that a day of shooting at Repulse Bay drew a large crowd of Ngai’s devoted fans. Rather than shooing them away, the film’s crew turned the unexpected audience into extras. “They were assigned to play my fans and had to shout at the top of their lungs,” Ngai recounted, praising their professionalism. “They gave it their all.”
The shoot was not without danger. Ngai suffered a harrowing accident during a water-skiing scene when a rope became entangled around his neck, leaving visible cuts on his chin and throat. “He really puts his life into his acting,” Chou said, adding that the actor recovered without serious harm. Yeung, who was on set at the time, admitted she was “terrified” when she learned what had happened.
When asked about the possibility of holding a boat-party promotional event, Yeung was less than enthusiastic. “It’s just too hot,” she said, before turning serious about the broader challenges facing the industry. “The market is tough right now. People in Hong Kong are really struggling,” she said. “I hope every sector in Hong Kong can thrive again and have good fortune.”
The cast has turned to humor and self-sacrifice to entice audiences. Ngai, who earlier vowed to bare all during a thank-you screening if the film hits 80 million Hong Kong dollars in ticket sales, raised eyebrows with a new promise. “If the box office exceeds 100,000 dollars, I will donate my entire salary,” he said. Pressed on how much that was, he grinned: “Actually, it’s zero. I took no pay. I wanted to show my support for the director in a concrete way.” Yeung praised his generosity but joked, “He didn’t treat us to many meals during filming.”
Yeung offered her own playful incentives: if ticket sales are strong, she would “show my fingers, toes, and even my carotid artery.” Chu proposed that Ngai carry a fan in a “princess carry” while waterskiing. If the film crosses 1 million dollars, Chu said he would give fans a “Chu-style bear hug”; at 2 million, he challenged Yeung to lift him instead. She laughed, “I can try, but I doubt I’ll succeed.”
Chou, self-deprecating as ever, noted that no one likely wants to see him shirtless. Instead, he pledged to wear fishnet stockings at post-screening events. He admitted to being heavier during filming—something he said helped make the other leads stand out—but noted he has since slimmed down significantly through hard training.
“Wave Lovers” hits theaters amid a cautious recovery for Hong Kong’s film industry, which has faced declining attendance and reduced production budgets. The actors’ willingness to make light of hardship and offer personal stakes reflects a collective hope that local audiences will return to cinemas. Whether these quirky pledges will translate into ticket sales remains to be seen, but for now, the cast is banking on laughter, luck, and a little skin to carry the day.
