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Nicole Tan

No one can say Faye Wong didn’t do it all her own way.
Born in Beijing in 1969, the singer and actress – who turns 54 today – went from not knowing a word of Cantonese to becoming a beloved Hong Kong music star to being honoured by Time magazine as one of the “divas of pop”.
She’s known for avoiding the spotlight and keeping a limited public presence, yet Wong’s undeniable talent has cemented her as one of Asia’s most popular divas, one that will be remembered for decades to come.
Here are some of her career milestones and major achievements.

1. She claimed her place in the Guinness World Records
Wong was one of the first women to dominate Hong Kong’s music industry.
By 2000 she had sold about 9.7 million copies of her 20 studio albums, making her, according to Guinness World Records, the bestselling female Cantopop artist of all time.

2. She was never one for spectacle – and it still paid off
Whereas other singers would put on elaborate concerts filled with dancing and extravagance, Wong focused on delivering one thing to audiences: her music.
Fans flocked to her performances to be mesmerised by her nightingale voice, one that brought her accolades including 2004’s best female artist in Hong Kong and Taiwan, awarded by the Top Chinese Music Awards.
Her 2003 concert tour, “No Faye No Live”, sold 30,000 tickets within three days, setting a Hong Kong record at the time.

3. She remained unapologetically herself, even in the limelight
Wong drew praise – and controversy – for her uncurated and authentic public image.
Fans admired her for being a “modern” woman, independent and unbothered by what A-list celebrities or agents might have to say.
She married Beijing rock star Dou Wei in 1996 in what the public deemed an “unlikely” pairing. Today, many criticise her relationship with actor Nicholas Tse – which they rekindled in 2014 after dating from 2000 to 2003 – but Wong remains unapologetic in her pursuit of love.

4. She also left her mark on Hong Kong cinema
Wong starred in several movies, including Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 comedy-drama Chungking Express, 2002’s Chinese Odyssey, and 2004’s 2046.
Her portrayal of Faye in Chungking Express, a young woman with an unusual approach to romance, won her the best actress award at the 1994 Stockholm Film Festival.
Although Wong maintains a low profile, the career she has built for herself over the span of almost three decades is rediscovered time and time again today. It is this legacy that one of her daughters, 26-year-old singer Leah Dou, looks to carry on.


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Happy birthday, Faye Wong: 4 of the Hong Kong Cantopop star’s career and personal highlights

Hong Kong Cantopop star Faye Wong in a still from Wong Kar-wai’s “Chungking Express”, for which she won a best actress award at the 1994 Stockholm Film Festival. Photo: AccuSoft

Wong in the video for her song “Postman”. 

Wong was the first Chinese singer to appear on the cover of Time magazine.

Fans admired Wong for being an independent, “modern” woman.

Wong with Nicholas Tse. Photo: Weibo

Acting with Michelle Yeoh, modelling at 12: the Cinderella story of Isabella Leong, who passed up Hollywood to have children with Richard Li, younger son of Li Ka-shing

Isabella Leong Lok-sze promotes her 2014 appearance in a stage play. Photo: Felix Wong 

Isabella Leong in an interview with the Post in 2005. The Macanese actress put a halt to her acting career when she began dating Richard Li, the younger son of Li Ka-shing. Photo: SCMP

Leong (left) and Chapman To in a still from “Isabella” (2006).

Leong (left), Jaycee Chan and Charlene Choi at the 26th Hong Kong Film Awards in April 2007. Photo: SCMP

Luke Ford (left) and Leong in a still from “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” (2008).

Leong, Richard Li and their son, Ethan Li, in April 2009. 

Leong and Jim Chim at an event to promote “Sign of Happiness” in February 2014. Photo: SCMP

Leong in a still from “Murmur of the Hearts” (2015).

(From left) Leong, Paul Chun and Faye Yu in a still from “Love After Love” (2020).

Best quotes of Hong Kong’s ‘girl next door’ Karen Mok to the Post over the years, from views on her Leslie Cheung love scene, to why nudity in films ‘isn’t necessary’

Karen Mok was a movie and Cantopop sensation in Hong Kong during the 1990s and 2000s. We recount some of the best quotes from her interviews with the Post through the years. Photo: Jon Hargest

Mok in a still from “Fallen Angels” (1995).

Mok in 1996, shortly before her movie career took off.

Mok (left) won the best supporting actress for her role in “Fallen Angels” at the Hong Kong film Awards in 1996, as John Shum (middle) and Ng Yiu-hon looked on. Photo: David Thorpe

Karen Mok (centre) in a still from “Sexy and Dangerous” (1996). 

The cover of Mok’s 1996 Cantopop album “Karen Mok: In Totality”.

Mok (right) and Leslie Cheung in a still from “Viva Erotica!” (1996).

Mok in an interview with the Post in 2005. Photo: Dustin Shum

Mok in a still from “The God of Cookery” (1996).

Mok in a still from “So Close” (2002).

Mok in an interview with the Post in 2014. Photo: Nora Tam

How Kelly Chen, Cantopop star and beloved Hong Kong actress, has captured the hearts of music and movie fans for three decades

Kelly Chen pictured in 1997. The secret to the Cantopop star and actress’s success? “I’ve just tried my best to grab any opportunity.” Photo: Dickson Lee

Chen (right) is presented with a prize at the Ultimate Song Chart Awards ceremony in January 1996 by Taiwanese singer Wu Chien-lien. Photo: SCMP

Chen (left) and Yutaka Takenouchi in a still from “Calmi Cuori Appassionati” (2001).

Chen (right) and Donnie Yen in a still from “An Empress and the Warriors” (2008).

Chen and her husband, Alex Lau Kin-ho, pose during their wedding ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui in October, 2008. Photo: SCMP

Chen performs in the Grand Variety Show in celebration of the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 30, 2007. Photo: SCMP

(From left) Ekin Cheng, Chen and Tony Leung Ka-fai in a still from “Horseplay” (2014).

Chen (left) and Tony Leung Chiu-wai in a still from “Infernal Affairs III” (2003).

A charity sale of Chen’s clothes, shoes and handbags took place in April 2023. Photo: Facebook/@kellychenwailam

How Amy Yip, Hong Kong sex symbol, made her mark in erotic films without ever baring all – and insured her breasts for US$250,000

Amy Yip in a still from Sex and Zen (1991).

Actress Amy Yip on a film set in 1990. Yip, a Hong Kong sex symbol who reigned supreme in the 1990s, made her mark in erotic films without ever baring all. Photo: SCMP

Yip in a still from Sex and Zen (1991).

Yip was well aware of the secrets to her success, and even went as far as to insure her breasts.

Yip (left) in a promotional image for Sex and Zen (1991).

Yip (right) and Lam Kin-ming, pictured in Causeway Bay in 1990. Photo: SCMP

Yip in the spotlight at a promotional event in 1991. Photo: SCMP

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As Faye Wong turns 54, we look back at how she captured people’s hearts in Asia by being herself and focusing on one thing: her music
She had sold nearly 10 million albums by 2000 and has starred in several movies, including Chungking Express, for which she won a best actress award


As Faye Wong turns 54, we look back at how the Cantopop star captured people’s hearts in Hong Kong and Asia by being herself and focusing on one thing: her music.


Happy birthday, Faye Wong: 4 of the Hong Kong Cantopop star’s career and personal highlights

As Faye Wong turns 54, we look back at how she captured people’s hearts in Asia by being herself and focusing on one thing: her music She had sold nearly 10 million albums by 2000 and has starred in several movies, including Chungking Express, for which she won a best actress award

1. She claimed her place in the Guinness World Records

As Faye Wong turns 54, we look back at how she captured people’s hearts in Asia by being herself and focusing on one thing: her music

She had sold nearly 10 million albums by 2000 and has starred in several movies, including Chungking Express, for which she won a best actress award