Hugo Ng On Falling From Glory Back In His Heydays

Once a top actor, Hugo Ng’s star dimmed after he allegedly offended TVB and was forced to temporarily exit the entertainment industry. 

With a heartwarming and motivational theme, TVB drama Finding Her Voice <牛下女高音> stars many veteran actors and exudes the charm of old Hong Kong. As part of the story arc, Hugo Ng’s (吳岱融) character, who is diagnosed with cancer in the drama, starts singing in a pub in order to chase his dream and spend his days meaningfully. He wins over a group of middle-aged female fans, in a role that is a breakaway from his badass characters, bringing to life the hilarious role of a wife-fearing husband who listens to his wife’s every word.

In real life, Hugo has also experienced highs and lows career-wise, falling from popular male lead to that of a supporting actor, and was even brutally beaten by the triad once. His wife, former actress Lily Chung (鐘淑慧), thankfully never left his side and supported him wholeheartedy, which is why he pampers her so well now.

Handsome Period Styling

Born in Singapore, Hugo came to Hong Kong and grew up in a chicken sty in Kwan Tung, doing night studies while working at a factory while growing up. When his father’s factory business stopped, he worked as a part-time singer in a lounge to support his two younger sisters.

Due to a chance encounter, he took part in an actors’ training class and started working for Singapore’s TV station, quickly becoming a popular actor with the reputation of “Singapore’s most handsome” in the 1980s. In 1987, he left for Hong Kong where he signed a contract with TVB. Starring in many classic period dramas, such as Two Most Honourable Knights <絕代雙驕> and The Silver Fox <玉面飛狐>, he became a first-rate actor at TVB, with his period styling in various dramas being extremely well-received. Not long ago, netizens dug up and shared Hugo’s old photos online which went viral, with comments praising his good looks, “Hong Kong celebrities were so good-looking in the past, after Sam-Gor (Micheal Miu) he’s next” and “He’s handsome and so masculine-looking, much more attractive than those in K-pop.”

Merely Trying to Explore His Interests

Just as his star was rapidly rising, Hugo reportedly incurred the ire of TVB management when he promoted his album at rival station Asian Television (ATV) of his own accord in 1993. His career took a downward turn as he was banned and had his contract terminated, but he clarified that he only ventured out to explore other areas he enjoyed, such as production and directing, saying “As I kept playing important roles, I wondered if there were other things I could do. I don’t mind those untrue rumors.”

Leaving TVB thereafter, he married his wife in 1995, and the couple starred in an adult-rated film Daughter of Darkness <滅門慘案之孽殺> together, which was unfortunately not well-received by the public. However, Hugo remained optimistic and was happy enough to just be with his wife and have enough to spend.

In 2015, he returned to TVB. Knowing that he is no longer in the prime of youth, Hugo departed from his past acting route and took on memorable antagonist personas in Brother’s Keeper II <巨輪II> (his character raped Grace Chan’s 陳凱琳 character), as well as Burning Hands <乘勝狙擊>, winning viewer recognition with his cunning characters and powerful eloquent delivery.

Wife’s Strong Support Touched Him

While his wife’s unwavering support helped Hugo survive his most downtrodden days, the couple had faced much tension at the start of their marriage due to the pressure from continuously moving house and job difficulties. One night in 2001 when he was out enjoying nightlife, Hugo offended a triad boss who gave him a severe beating and even broke his nose. Sent to the hospital with a bleeding face, Hugo thought his wife would be furious, but she showed her concern upon reaching the hospital and did not scold him even once. That led to Hugo’s realization, as he summed up, “She was wholly supportive towards me. I’m most touched that she did not further attack me. I was then convinced that she will be my lifelong partner, and felt very lucky to have met her.”

Since then, Hugo began treating his wife wholeheartedly, expressing his love with his “four romantic moves”, which includes: (1) Letting her manage all his finances, including putting the real estate they owe under her name; (2) Sharing photos of the couple on social media frequently; (3) Avoiding regular contact with other women; (4) Dedicating his song “Going back to love you ten million seconds” to her and inviting her as the lead of his music video. No wonder his wife says that they are ‘sweeter than newly-wed couples’!

MV of Hugo Ng’s Love Song to his wife:

Source: Sky Post

This article is written by JoyceK for JayneStars.com.

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