Hong Kong television personalities Ho Pui-ka and Ruan Hao-zong have reportedly ended their two-year relationship, a breakup attributed both to demanding professional schedules and an informal company policy discouraging public celebrity partnerships. The separation comes as both actors, heavily promoted by their employer TVB, face surging career trajectories, demanding a renewed commitment to maintaining a strictly professional image.
The discreet coupling between Ho Pui-ka, known as the “Goddess of Scoop,” and Ruan Hao-zong, a descendant of acting legend Lily Leung, was an open secret within industry circles. However, according to exclusive reports from Eastweek Magazine, the primary catalyst for the split appears to be TVB’s unspoken “no dating rule”—a measure reportedly enforced to safeguard the marketability of its burgeoning talent pool.
Career Ambition Trumps Romance
Ho Pui-ka, 29, has seen a rapid ascent since competing in the Miss Hong Kong pageant in 2020. She has become recognizable as a host on the current affairs programme Scoop and is actively developing her visibility across hosting, variety, and drama platforms. Her dedication has recently been recognized with nominations for “Most Improved Female Artiste” and “Best Host” at the 2025 TVB Anniversary Awards, signaling the network’s high investment in her future.
Ruan Hao-zong is similarly a key figure among TVB’s new generation of lead actors. His celebrated lineage, combined with strong performances in recent series, positions him ideally for major roles. The pair reportedly grew close after working together on the 2023 drama The Misbelief, though they consistently provided vague responses like “getting to know each other” when pressed on their status.
Industry insiders suggest that as TVB scaled up its support for both artistes, pressure mounted to deprioritize their private relationship. Sources close to the couple indicate that the stars were under significant stress attempting to balance their private lives with the network’s directives to keep their romance strictly out of the public eye. Ultimately, they chose to prioritize their careers over continuity.
The Cost of Stardom
Beyond corporate policy, the physical distance created by global commitments also played a role. Ruan Hao-zong’s frequent overseas travel for an upcoming travel programme meant “less time together,” further straining the partnership.
The emotional toll of the separation is apparent. Ho Pui-ka was recently photographed alone in Tsim Sha Tsui looking noticeably thinner and distressed. Observed exercising at a gym before attending a movie by herself, the images suggested she is currently navigating the difficult transition to single life.
Yet, she is channeling her emotional energy directly into her professional life. In one sighting, she was seen diligently studying scripts in a parking garage—simultaneously eating a sandwich and intensely reviewing dialogue, at one point appearing visibly agitated by the material. This behavior suggests she is refocusing her personal pain into drive for artistic excellence, a common coping mechanism among high-profile performers.
The breakup highlights the considerable sacrifices modern celebrities are often compelled to make in pursuit of success in the competitive Hong Kong entertainment sector. While the concept of a romantic entanglement being detrimental to an artiste’s brand—especially for emerging stars—remains pervasive in some Asian entertainment power structures, it underscores a continuing debate about the right to privacy versus public expectation for highly visible figures.
For Ho Pui-ka and Ruan Hao-zong, the immediate path forward is focused squarely on their professional ascendance. Their separation marks a significant, albeit painful, step in consolidating their status as leading actors within the region’s top broadcasting entity.
