【Exclusive】Mimi Kung Brings Two Contrasting Big Boss Roles to Life, Says She Refuses to Repeat Past Success: “Similar Roles Must Have Different Depths”

KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 – Veteran Hong Kong actress Mimi Kung, who has spent more than four decades in the entertainment industry, says she has no intention of repeating herself despite becoming known for portraying powerful female executives.

After winning praise for her performances in The Queen of News and Golden Forest, Kung is once again playing a commanding business leader in the upcoming Astro Originals drama Hidden Dragon. However, she insists that every "boss lady" character should have its own unique personality.

"I like to compare it to fruit juice," she said with a smile. "The category may be the same, but it doesn't always have to be orange juice. It can be apple juice—or even a mixed drink like cham."

Kung believes the joy of acting lies in discovering subtle differences within similar character types and creating fresh chemistry with different co-stars.

Known for playing gentle and elegant women earlier in her career, Kung has successfully reinvented herself with more complex roles. In The Queen of News, her portrayal of the composed yet influential Mrs. Fong earned her a TVB Best Actress nomination, while her shocking transformation into the hidden mastermind in Golden Forest was widely praised by viewers.

Reflecting on those performances, she explained that every character has a different emotional core. Rather than portraying villains as purely evil, she prefers to explore the human experiences that shape their personalities.

She said the recent roles have opened up more opportunities and described the chance to portray different personalities as the greatest joy of being an actor.

"No matter whether they're rich or poor, kind or evil, gentle or fierce, every character has something worth exploring," she said.

Returning to Malaysia to film Hidden Dragon, Kung said the country feels like a second home after filming several productions here since the 1990s. She also praised Malaysia's food, people and working environment.

Looking back on her career, Kung admitted she used to be more stubborn about her interpretations of characters. Over time, she learned that filmmaking is a collaborative effort in which every department contributes to the final result.

She also shared her secret to staying youthful: maintaining a positive mindset.

"No matter what happens in life, don't let negative emotions control you. Learn to let go, stay positive and enjoy each day," she said.