Hong Kong television veteran Cheng Ka-wai, 75, is opening up about her decision to transition to a per-project contract with TVB in 2023, after joining the entertainment industry in 1972 and briefly immigrating to Vancouver, Canada in 1983. The actress, known for roles in popular dramas like Palace Schemes, Lives of Omission, and Chu Liuxiang, and affectionately dubbed the “go-to grandma” for her frequent portrayals of mothers and grandmothers, described the shift as feeling like a financial abandonment.
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Reflecting on the change to a “one show a year” contract several years ago, Cheng Ka-wai admitted she initially struggled with the adjustment. “It’s like losing a handrail,” she said, jokingly comparing the loss of a regular salary to being “abandoned by her husband.” The sentiment was both frustrating and heartbreaking, she added.
However, Cheng Ka-wai quickly adjusted her mindset, learning to find freedom in the change and letting go of any resentment. While acknowledging the income was less stable, she found the flexibility appealing, noting she wasn’t burdened with leading roles in every production and that it could potentially extend her career. This transition comes as the entertainment industry increasingly explores flexible work arrangements for established talent.
In the past, rumors circulated that Cheng Ka-wai was secretly wealthy, frequently dining at upscale restaurants like “Fook Lam Moon” and hosting lavish parties at her home, which featured an outdoor garden. She previously denied being rich, stating that she wouldn’t have needed to work at TVB if she were, and explained she simply enjoys life and had been a diligent saver since her youth. She also revealed she made smart real estate investments early on, once owning six properties in Canada, ensuring a comfortable lifestyle. “If I had splurged and spent freely when I was younger, I would have had nothing to rely on now,” she stated. Last year, Cheng Ka-wai appeared in Central to promote News Queen 2, sporting a black outfit accented with a green necklace and large rings, with her jewelry reportedly worth over 100,000. She explained she chose the dark ensemble and added jewelry to convey a sense of elegance and respect for the occasion, adding that her younger brother works in the jewelry business and gifted her a set of European-cultivated jade.
When it comes to maintaining her youthful appearance, Cheng Ka-wai credits her lifestyle and consistency. She’s a devoted fan of Pu’er tea, believing it helps detoxify and improve circulation, and has adhered to a “no eating after noon” rule for years. If she doesn’t have social engagements, dinner typically consists of tea or a small portion of vegetables, and she prefers to go to bed on an empty stomach, joking that there’s a limit to how much a person can eat in a lifetime.
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