Kwok Ching-hung Breaks Silence on Absence from A Step Into the Past Film, Describes Past Relationship with Joyce Tang in Six Words

(Hong Kong, April 3) Hong Kong actor Kwok Ching-hung recently found himself back in the spotlight after being absent from the film adaptation of A Step into the Past, which also reignited public interest in his past relationship with Joyce Tang. Addressing the matter for the first time, he explained his absence and described their past romance as “something from the Jurassic era,” signaling that it firmly belongs in the past.

According to media reports, the two developed a relationship while filming Wars of In-Laws II, and their romance once attracted significant attention, including paparazzi photos of intimate moments. However, the relationship ended after two years. Later revelations suggested that Kwok had already been married to a non-celebrity partner in mainland China and had a daughter, leading to controversy in which Joyce Tang was unknowingly caught in the situation, and Kwok was labeled negatively by the public.

Regarding his absence from the role of General Wang Jian in the film version of A Step into the Past, Kwok clarified that the limited runtime of a film makes it impossible to include all storylines from the original series. He firmly denied avoiding Joyce Tang, who reprises her role as Shin Yau, emphasizing that his decision was purely based on narrative considerations. He added that the past relationship should no longer be revisited, out of respect for both families.

Reflecting on his career, Kwok first gained attention through the 4th New Talent Singing Awards, where he impressed judges with his performance of Summer Breeze and a backflip, earning a spot in the top 30. Although he did not win, his stage presence caught a director’s eye, leading to his film debut in Piggy Outing. Actress Kathy Chow later encouraged him to apply for an acting training program and even helped submit his application despite his academic qualifications falling short, securing him an audition opportunity. He officially entered the industry in 1986 and was mentored by Tony Leung, later collaborating on the TV drama The Grand Canal.

During his time at TVB, Kwok became known for his versatility, often cast as action villains alongside stars like Yuen Biao and Vincent Zhao. He later broke through with comedic roles in Wars of In-Laws II, while his portrayal of the “Six-Eared Macaque” in Journey to the West II became his signature role in mainland China, laying the foundation for his career there. He noted that for actors, landing the right role is crucial—even a small part can leave a lasting impression.

With the entertainment industry facing a downturn in recent years, Kwok’s last drama was Dead Ringer in 2023. Fortunately, he had already shifted his focus to livestream e-commerce in mainland China, where he has achieved seven-figure earnings. He highlighted Wong Cho-lam as one of the earliest and most successful figures in the field, alongside others like Lam Wai-chun and Sze Sze Lap. Kwok also collaborates with Moses Chan and Lawrence Ng on short-form videos, leveraging his popularity to expand new opportunities.

On the personal front, Kwok has been married twice and now lives with his current wife and their two daughters, Haley (17) and Ashley (15). He shared that his wife prefers to stay out of the public eye, which is why she rarely appears publicly. Speaking about his daughters, he expressed pride in their discipline and academic performance. His eldest will sit for the DSE exams next year and plans to pursue higher education in Hong Kong, which reassures him greatly. Today, Kwok has moved beyond past controversies, embracing his role as a devoted husband and father.