Hong Kong television luminaries, including the iconic Liza Wang (Ah-Jie), Fefe Fung, Hiliary Chong, Kathy Ngai, Karl Ting, and Ricky Chu, gathered on January 23 to film the annual flagship Lunar New Year program for TVB, Good Fortune Star Shines on the First Day of the Year of the Dragon. Top network executives, including Chairman Thomas Hui, Catherine Tsang, and Virginia Lok, were present for the auspicious event, although former General Manager of Program Content Operations, Eric Tsang, who recently transitioned to a newly formed advisory committee role, was noticeably absent. The enduring 94-year-old actor, Woo Fung, maintained his tradition of distributing lucky red packets as the “God of Fortune,” offering blessings to the viewing audience.
Liza Wang, a powerhouse of the Hong Kong entertainment scene, shared her wish for the Year of the Dragon: “Health is always the most important thing—to be full of vigor and sharp-minded.” Wang confirmed that following a busy year of filming travel documentaries abroad, she plans to remain in Hong Kong this February to celebrate the holiday with her husband, renowned opera star Law Kar-ying. She intends to host close friends for traditional New Year’s visits and a hot pot dinner. Wang also revealed her yearly collaboration with a brand to launch turnip cake prepared strictly according to her personal recipe.
Discussing her preparations, Wang mentioned the necessary tasks of grocery shopping for holiday essentials and deep cleaning her home. She hilariously noted a perennial exception: “Kar-ying never allows anyone to touch his desk; he insists on tidying it himself every year.” The veteran actress also expressed support for the upcoming Lunar New Year film, The Gold Bundle, starring MIRROR member Edan Lui. “Edan and Kar-ying are very close, so if he invites us, we will certainly attend to cheer him on,” she affirmed.
Looking ahead, Wang announced that she would take the stage in May at the Xiqu Centre in West Kowloon to perform alongside Law Kar-ying for his 80th birthday celebration, a focused five-day special engagement. She added that while her husband generally prefers a quiet life, they will mark the milestone with simple dinners among friends.
New Talent, Ambitions, and Singing Aspirations
For Kathy Ngai, who made her debut hosting the festive special, the atmosphere was dramatically different from watching the show at home. Nine-year industry veteran Fefe Fung embraced the tradition of working during the New Year for good fortune, or Hao Yi Tou.
Fung shared a lighthearted anecdote from the taping, revealing she had pitched the show’s director on performing a New Year duet with singers from the popular show Midlife, Sing! However, the request was ultimately denied, as the director explained that professional singers were slated for the holiday songs. When asked if the rejection prompted any self-reflection, Fung offered a characteristic witty retort: “The director was likely worried that my powerful voice would overshadow the Midlife singers and steal their thunder. So, for the greater good, I must conceal my true abilities.”
Fung, who has been taking vocal lessons from actor and singer Stefan Wong for years, insisted she receives positive feedback. “Stefan Wong praises my singing. He says I’m fine,” she stated. But when she proposed recording her practice for social media, she was told to wait for her teacher’s approval, with the reason being that her performance wasn’t yet good enough, lest it tarnish his music school’s reputation. Fung humorously added that she once sang at a company’s anniversary dinner, noting, “That company is still thriving, with business getting better and better. I seem to bring prosperity.”
Hiliary Chong, also present at the taping, expressed her interest in singing, stating she would enroll immediately if Wong offered classes. She floated the idea of a duet with Fung, who responded that the collaboration would also need her teacher’s professional clearance, optimistically hoping to make it happen before the year’s end.
