HONG KONG – A popular variety show took a playful turn Tuesday night when two celebrity contestants struggled to tear an apple apart by hand, while a separate off-camera mix-up saw a child mistaking a male idol for his own father. The incidents unfolded during a World Cup-themed episode of ViuTV’s “8 p.m. VIURIETY,” which aired on December 17.
The episode featured members of the local men’s football team FC3, including actor Carlos Chan and several teammates, alongside players from the Yinghua women’s football team. They joined comedians from the boy band ERROR, specifically Fat Boy (real name: Leung Yip) and Dee Ho (Ho Kai-wah), for a series of physical challenges.
In one of the night’s most discussed segments, Fat Boy and Dee were tasked with tearing a whole apple in half using only their bare hands. Despite straining with visible effort, Fat Boy failed to split the fruit. Dee completed the task with apparent ease, drawing laughter from the studio audience.
Both performers wore Argentina national team jerseys during the game. However, they quickly denied being devoted fans of the South American squad. When asked if their attire hinted at any betting activity, the duo firmly stated they do not gamble on football matches.
The conversation shifted to their bandmate, Poki Po (Wu Po-kei), who recently displayed a football shirt on social media. Netizens accused the jersey of being counterfeit due to its unusual design. Dee defended his absent colleague with humor, saying, “The fact that no one has seen this style before is what makes it rare. It’s also very wearable.” He added that the shirt’s true origin would need to be confirmed directly with Poki.
Behind-the-Scenes Misunderstanding
The program also featured a promotional segment for ERROR’s new group single, “We Are One,” which includes a duet version with Hong Kong pop star Kay Tse. Both sides praised each other during the broadcast. Fat Boy described Tse as “beautiful and kind-hearted,” while Dee expressed gratitude for her collaboration, vowing to repay the favor if ever needed.
The music video for the song features Tse wearing a wedding dress and filming close interactions with ERROR members. Fat Boy jokingly criticized Dee’s expression during a scene where his character hugged Tse from behind, calling it “lecherous.”
Dee immediately addressed the accusation by demonstrating a respectful embrace with Fat Boy on set. He clarified to the audience: “My hands were hovering in the air near her waist. I never touched her. In fact, she thanked me for helping to shield her midsection. My chin was close to her shoulder—that was the closest contact. Maybe I was a bit bolder because her husband [actor Louis Cheung] wasn’t on set.”
Fat Boy then revealed a comedic twist: Louis Cheung’s eldest son, James, had visited the filming location. Upon spotting Dee from a distance, the child mistakenly called him “Dad.” The mix-up prompted laughter among the cast and crew, with Dee noting the boy quickly realized his error.
The episode underscores the lighthearted, unpredictable nature of Hong Kong’s variety entertainment, where sports, idols, and family moments intersect to create viral content. Fans are now awaiting official confirmation on Poki Po’s controversial jersey and the full release of ERROR’s collaborative single.
