His role in Back to the Past was once a “second choice,” Huang Man-biu reunites with Louis Koo: “He’s still the same—down-to-earth and unpretentious.”

(Hong Kong, Jan 4) Since the film version of A Step Into the Past was announced, a wave of nostalgia has swept online as fans revisit classic clips. One cast member drawing renewed attention is veteran actor Wong Man-biu (“Biu Gor”), who played Teng Yi—the loyal second sworn brother of Xiang Shao-long. In a recent interview with Hong Kong media, Wong reflected on his life before acting, his career path, and how he ultimately returned for the movie adaptation.

Now 63, Wong grew up in Shek Kip Mei Estate and admitted he wasn’t interested in academics as a child. With his father working as a metal hardware technician, Wong studied a technical stream at school and was expected to enter industrial work after graduation. But he disliked the idea of greasy factory environments, so he took a different route and became a kitchen apprentice at the Hilton in Central. Less than a year later, he quit after conflicts with colleagues—stemming from a promotion arrangement that sparked jealousy. Wong recalled being attacked by several seniors near the locker area, which pushed him to leave the catering industry altogether.

As the youngest in his family and under less financial pressure, Wong explored various jobs—factory-related work, warehouse positions, and sales. A friend later introduced him to community theatre through the “Kwun Tong Theatre Troupe,” where he trained under mentors including Helena Law, Lui Siu-keung, and Lam Lap-sam. He said he didn’t initially see acting as a lifelong career; he joined mainly to build confidence and overcome stage fright. Some of his peers in that early circle later became well-known performers, including Dayo Wong and Kung Ming-wah.

In 1989, at the age of 27, Wong entered TVB’s training programme. He openly said he never imagined becoming a leading man, but he loved acting and chose to persist. Early in his TVB years, he was clean-shaven and often cast in “upright” roles such as police officers. Things shifted in 1994 during The Legend of the Condor Heroes—he grew a real beard to avoid daily fake-beard application, and that look unexpectedly steered him into tougher roles, from martial-world leaders and generals in costume dramas to debt collectors and criminals in modern series.

His most memorable role remains Teng Yi in A Step Into the Past. Wong revealed he wasn’t the original first choice—he heard through informal channels that another actor might have been considered—though he never learned why the final decision changed. Still, he described Teng Yi as his most substantial and enjoyable TVB role. Working with Louis Koo and the cast also created spontaneous comedic sparks, including a moment when Koo suddenly joked that Wong “looked like Jesus,” leaving Wong momentarily unsure how to respond—yet the scene ended up working precisely because he simply continued his lines.

Regarding the film adaptation, Wong said he wasn’t invited back at first and kept a calm attitude. He later heard that Teng Yi only reappeared after multiple script revisions, possibly due to budget and role allocation. Eventually, with Koo wanting the original ensemble to reunite, Wong returned to the project.

What stayed with him most was the “family-like” atmosphere on set. He recalled filming in Guizhou when temperatures suddenly dropped and he didn’t have enough warm clothing—co-star Justin Cheung immediately shared his down jacket, while Jessica Hsuan handed him a hot-water pouch. Koo also asked his assistant to bring over an extra coat. Wong said that despite Koo’s status as a major producer and “boss,” he remained down-to-earth, just as he had been years ago.