Hong Kong – In a rare joint interview, veteran Hong Kong actors Wu Dai Rong and Zhong Shu Hui, long hailed as a “model couple” in showbiz, opened up about their relationship’s origins, the unconventional proposal involving foam pellets, and the controversial decision to star together in a Category III film. The candid conversation aired Thursday on TVB’s talk show “Weekly Stars,” hosted by Wang Zhenquan.
The couple, married for more than 25 years, met on the set of the 1991 television drama “Human, Ghost, Fox.” Zhong recalled being initially intimidated by Wu’s intense professionalism. “He was extremely serious. I was a bit afraid, but I would secretly watch him perform. I still remember it vividly,” she said. Wu, for his part, described her as “genuine” and “endearingly naive.”
Their courtship took an odd turn during a downtime on set. Wu said he noticed foam particles scattered on the floor from a reflector and asked Zhong, “If you like me, would you eat these for me?” To his surprise, she did. Zhong later clarified with a laugh, “That’s not exactly how he asked.” The couple’s playful back-and-forth became a highlight of the episode.
The interview also revisited clips from their early careers, including Zhong’s participation in the 1987 Miss Hong Kong pageant and footage from TVB’s “K-100” and the news magazine “City追击.” But the main topic was the couple’s 1994 film “Killing Brother,” a Category III (adults-only) movie in which they played lovers and appeared nude.
Wu stressed that the decision was not financially motivated, as many assumed. “People misunderstood. I went to talk with the director and producer directly,” he said. “I wanted to protect her on set. My role was to ensure she felt safe, and the nudity served the story.” Zhong confirmed that several explicit additions were improvised by the couple themselves to enhance the character dynamics.
The couple, who wed in 1995 and have a son, have rarely discussed the film in such detail. Wu, now 70, remains active in the industry, while Zhong, 56, has largely stepped away from acting. Their enduring relationship, they say, is built on mutual trust and open communication.
Industry observers note that the interview sheds light on a bygone era of Hong Kong cinema, where on-screen couples often collaborated in boundary-pushing projects. “It’s a reminder that such films required careful negotiation—emotionally and professionally,” said film historian Dr. Karen Leung. “Wu and Zhong’s story humanizes a genre often reduced to sensationalism.”
As for whether they would ever make another Category III film together, Wu laughed and shook his head. “Those days are behind us,” he said. “Now we prefer a quiet life.” Zhong added, “But I’d never trade those experiences. They made us who we are.”
