Veteran entertainer Kenny Bee, a fixture in Hong Kong showbiz for over five decades, revealed in a candid interview that his greatest fortune has not been his countless hits or box office successes but the harmonious family he has built. The former Wynners frontman, 71, spoke openly about his enduring bond with bandmate Alan Tam, his acting regrets, and why he has no plans to retire.
Bee, who began as a lounge singer before rising to become one of Cantopop’s enduring icons, admitted that his most challenging on-screen roles have been villains. “I’ve tried, but I wouldn’t call those attempts successful,” he said, reflecting on his more than 100 films. While every actor has defining roles, Bee acknowledged taking on parts strictly for financial reasons—some he prefers not to mention. Mainland Chinese audiences, he noted, most fondly recall his character “Carefree Brother” in New Legend of Fist, while a one-day cameo in The Eagle Shooting Heroes received surprisingly strong reactions. Hong Kong viewers, however, remain most attached to his work in It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World. “I felt director Cheung Kin-ting and actress Cecilia Yip formed a great iron triangle with me,” Bee said, “but we never worked together again after that film.”
A Life in Performance
Today, Bee divides his focus: acting primarily in mainland China and performing music globally. Despite his success across film, television, and music, he admitted that music remains his deepest passion. “Making music soothes the soul and is my way of staying healthy,” he said. Citing reports that singing is the number one method for longevity, Bee explained the logic: “Singing requires controlled breathing, much like qigong. It’s all benefit, no harm.”
Brothers in Song
When discussing the Wynners, the band that launched his career, Bee credited Alan Tam’s leadership as pivotal. “He organizes everything flawlessly and turns problems into minor issues,” Bee said. Addressing years of public comparisons after going solo, Bee dismissed rivalry. “I’ve made more films than Alan, but his Cantopop songs are number one. If I had to be a ‘principal’ like him, I’d be exhausted. I’m more of a ‘class monitor’—smaller scale, no desire to run a school or form a soccer team. We have different natures and goals. I prefer being taken care of, so how can we compete? We focus on helping each other.” Bee emphasized that Wynners members discuss everything, from singing techniques to personal matters, often forging bonds that surpass family. “Alan will tell me honestly if I have a problem with my voice, and I do the same for him,” he said.
Family First
Bee described himself as someone who shares only the good news, aiming to spread positive energy through his performances. His greatest blessing, he insists, is his blended family. To be present for his children’s upbringing, he voluntarily turned down numerous career opportunities. His greatest comfort: his four children from different mothers share an unusually close bond. His 21-year-old daughter, Chung Yi, has been accepted into the Beijing Film Academy’s directing graduate program, while 15-year-old Chung Kwei is diligent in her studies. “I refuse to consider retirement,” Bee said. “Staying active stimulates my adrenaline and keeps me healthy. Right now, I’m simply enjoying life.”
The full interview is scheduled to appear in Ming Pao’s entertainment section on February 19.
