HONG KONG – Actor Mak Pui Tung is deflecting praise for the surging ratings of HOY TV’s sitcom Your Security Guard Li Bao An, choosing instead to credit director Ho Kok Tin and the collective chemistry of the cast. Speaking to reporters after his stage debut this week, Mak addressed the show’s expansion from 20 to 50 episodes and offered measured responses to mixed audience reactions and industry competition.
‘Just a Small Potato’
Mak was emphatic about where the credit belongs. “The director is the leader. I am just a small potato following his instructions,” he said. The series, a workplace comedy that follows a quirky security guard and the residents of a busy Hong Kong building, has resonated well enough for the network to place a significant bet on its future.
Mak welcomed the extension, even as he acknowledged the heavier workload. “If they add more, I’ll have to become a master of time management,” he joked. “But of course, it’s great news.”
Confronting a Comedy Powerhouse
One of the show’s greatest assets, Mak noted, is co-star Lee Sheung-ching, widely regarded as a master of improvisation. While Lee’s quick wit makes for electric scenes, it creates a unique challenge for those sharing the frame. “Everyone knows he’s an improvisation king. It is incredibly hard not to break character and laugh,” Mak admitted, painting a picture of a high-energy set where maintaining composure is half the battle.
Grace Under Online Fire
Mak also handled a potentially awkward topic with elegance. The show recently featured older model photos of actress Lo Chung Yan, better known as Mui Tau. Mak confessed he did not recognize the images at first, but immediately pivoted to a warm defense. “I think she is still stunning,” he said. “She is a wonderful person with a beautiful heart.”
The actor also addressed criticism regarding the show’s frequent puns and wordplay, which some viewers have found grating. Rather than dismissing the feedback, Mak offered a mature, long-term perspective.
“This is the first sitcom for the entire creative team,” he explained. “We are all in a trial-and-error phase. The cast needs time to build chemistry. There will always be people who like it and people who don’t. We are about 20 episodes into filming, and I genuinely feel the rhythm and chemistry are improving with every scene.”
No Conflict, Just Content
When asked whether HOY TV could realistically compete with larger networks in the ratings battle, Mak rejected the premise entirely. “There’s no need for comparison,” he said. “Everyone is just trying to do their best for the Character and the script. I hope audiences enjoy watching all of it. We want to make a show people can watch together.”
A Growing Bet on Local Content
The expansion of Your Security Guard Li Bao An is a significant milestone for HOY TV, which has been aggressively investing in original local programming to carve out its share of the market. Mak’s grounded humility and the team’s willingness to iterate and improve in public view suggest a culture of growth rather than instant perfection. By embracing the journey—and earning the runway to complete it—Mak and his colleagues have turned potential vulnerability into a compelling narrative of gradual success. The audience, it seems, is happy to stay along for the ride.
