Jessica Hsuan and 55-year-old Louis Koo are praised as a “high-chemistry” pairing and were even rumored to be getting married; friends say they’re a great match—yet things never progressed for one reason.

(Hong Kong, Jan 4) Jessica Hsuan has been busy promoting the upcoming film adaptation of A Step Into the Past with the production team. In a recent interview on the online programme Uncle’s Love, she spoke about her long-time co-star Louis Koo—who is the same age (55)—and how the pair have often been regarded by the public as one of the most “perfect-match” on-screen couples.

Hsuan said even her friends have told her they “should be a couple,” yet nothing ever happened. The reason, she joked, is that Koo has always treated her like a “brother.” Still single, Hsuan acknowledged that rumours have followed them for years, largely because they have worked together frequently and their dramas performed well, leaving a strong impression on audiences.

When the host commented that Koo is tall, good-looking and humorous—making it hard not to like him—Hsuan laughed and clarified that any affection was for the characters, not the man himself. Citing Detective Investigation Files IV, she said she liked “Tsui Fei,” not Louis Koo, because he doesn’t treat her that way in real life.

Explaining their relationship dynamic, Hsuan said Koo sometimes treats her “like one of the guys,” and she actually prefers it. She added that with male colleagues, she would rather keep things straightforward and avoid ambiguous, flirtatious situations. She believes that’s also why there were never any “extra thoughts” between them—though viewers may still enjoy the couple vibe because of their chemistry and strong ratings.

Hsuan also shared that because they know each other so well, Koo understands she speaks honestly and doesn’t say things just to please others. Now that Koo is effectively “Boss Koo,” she admitted she chooses her words more carefully—skipping the trivial matters, but still finding gentle ways to raise important issues when necessary, believing he will listen if she is genuinely right.

Both joined TVB around the same time and have collaborated in multiple hit projects including A Step Into the Past, Cold Blood Warm Heart, Man’s Best Friend, and Detective Investigation Files IV, building a large fan base for their pairing. The report also noted that Koo has kept a low profile in his personal life, with the only publicly confirmed relationship being with Carman Lee (Wong Kei-ying). As for the viral 2019 rumour claiming the two would marry later that year, Koo’s manager later denied it, saying it was not true.