Hong Kong: Acclaimed broadcaster and entertainer Lawrence Cheng (Dan Zai) recently celebrated his 70th birthday, marked by a lively banquet attended by generations of colleagues and collaborators from the entertainment industry. Although initially planning a low-key observance, Cheng’s decades-long career and extensive network necessitated an eight-table gathering, transforming the private celebration into an emotional reunion where the veteran artist shared a deeply moving moment with a long-lost mentor.
The highlight of the evening was the appearance of director Kong Lung, Cheng’s former supervisor and cherished mentor from his early years as a scriptwriter at RTV (now ATV). The reunion, which occurred after two decades of lost contact, brought Cheng to tears as he embraced the industry veteran. Cheng, speaking about the emotional encounter, praised Kong Lung, stating, “Kong Lung was my superior when I was a junior scriptwriter at Rediffusion Television, but more importantly, he was an incredibly respected life mentor.”
Cheng learned that Kong Lung, who had been retired for many years, was visiting Hong Kong and swiftly orchestrated a call to action, inviting old RTV colleagues to join the celebration. Several prominent figures who began their careers under Kong Lung’s guidance were present, including television producer Steven Tsui, director Teddy Chen, and veteran film producer Manfred Wong. Kong Lung’s impact on the Golden Age of Hong Kong television is undeniable; throughout the 1970s and 1980s at RTV, he spearheaded high-rating dramas like the landmark Vampire Saga (Tian Can Bian) series, Crisis, and A Battle for a Throne (Ren Zai Jiang Hu), which directly rivaled TVB’s dominance at the time.
The celebratory evening also drew tributes from other significant figures in Cheng’s professional life. Commercial Radio veteran Winnie Yu, Cheng’s former boss, praised his enduring character. “It is rare to encounter such an earnest young man on one’s life journey,” Yu remarked. “After all these years, he has never forgotten his initial passion; he remains the enthusiastic young man I first met.” Yu also humorously credited Cheng’s supportive wife, Sandy, as the reason the star remains “debonair” at 70.
Attendees at the birthday dinner included a host of industry well-wishers such as filmmaker Alfred Cheung, director Teddy Chen, and record producer Siu Mei. Adding a touch of family connection, Hilary Tsui, daughter of Cheng’s good friend Sandra Lam, attended in place of her mother, affectionately celebrating her godfather. Cheng lightheartedly addressed Lam’s absence, teasing her for being a “flight attendant” who often misses events, but noted he would forgive his “Air Kitty.”
Though many peers could not attend the banquet, several celebrity well-wishers—including superstars Aaron Kwok, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Nick Cheung, Ekin Cheng, and Sam Hui—recorded video messages, adding a modern element to the surprise elements of the nostalgic event. The gathering underscored Cheng’s lasting influence and the deep, enduring ties that define Hong Kong’s close-knit entertainment community. The evening served as a potent reminder of the personal bonds forged during formative careers, often long before the glare of major stardom.
