Once regarded as one of Hong Kong’s most influential radio personalities, Hung Chiu Fung enjoyed immense fame, wealth, and popularity during the peak of his career.

Yet behind the success lay years of personal hardship from a highly publicized romance with billionaire businesswoman Bo Wing Kam, to living with bipolar disorder, surviving cancer that required the removal of two-thirds of his tongue, and ultimately leaving the entertainment industry behind to become a Buddhist monk.

Born in 1960 into a modest family in a Hong Kong public housing estate, Hung Chiu Fung grew up surrounded by financial hardship and illness. His father battled lung cancer, his mother later developed Alzheimer’s disease, and several relatives reportedly struggled with serious health conditions, including bipolar disorder.

Determined to build a different future, Hung Chiu Fung pursued a career in broadcasting, quickly earning recognition for his warm voice, engaging storytelling, and ability to connect with listeners.

In 1983, Hung Chiu Fung joined Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), where he became one of the territory’s most recognizable broadcasters. His late-night radio program, Sun, Moon and Stars, attracted around 700,000 listeners at its peak. Rather than simply playing music, the show focused on conversations, advice, and emotional support for listeners, making Hung Chiu Fung a familiar voice in countless Hong Kong households.

He also interviewed many of the biggest stars of the era, including Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui, and members of Hong Kong’s legendary Four Heavenly Kings. Beyond radio, Hung Chiu Fung expanded into acting and gained attention for portraying Qiu Qianren and Qiu Qianzhang in the 1994 television adaptation of The Legend of the Condor Heroes.

In 1998, Hung Chiu Fung met billionaire businesswoman Bo Wing Kam during an interview. Their relationship quickly became one of Hong Kong's most talked-about celebrity romances. As one of the city's wealthiest women, Bo Wing Kam's fortune attracted intense public attention, and Hung Chiu Fung faced persistent criticism from those who accused him of dating her for financial reasons. Although the couple initially appeared happy together, their relationship ended after just 11 months, with the breakup unfolding amid significant media scrutiny.

Following the breakup, Hung Chiu Fung's personal struggles became increasingly public. He spoke openly about living with bipolar disorder, a condition that also affected several members of his family. The illness at times led to emotional instability and made headlines for reasons far removed from his broadcasting achievements.

His greatest challenge, however, came when he was diagnosed with tongue cancer, followed later by intestinal cancer. To save his life, doctors removed two-thirds of his tongue during surgery. For a man whose career had been built on his voice, the operation was devastating, fundamentally changing both his personal life and professional future.

After his health struggles, Hung Chiu Fung found it difficult to regain his former place in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry. He reportedly accepted various performance jobs to support himself before gradually stepping away from public life.

In 2020, Hung Chiu Fung made a life-changing decision by ordaining as a Buddhist monk at a temple in Thailand. After years marked by fame, heartbreak, illness, and public scrutiny, he chose a quieter life centered on spiritual practice rather than celebrity.

Hung Chiu Fung’s story is one of remarkable highs and painful lows. From growing up in poverty to becoming one of Hong Kong’s most influential media personalities, then enduring mental health challenges, cancer, and the loss of the voice that made him famous, his life has been shaped by extraordinary resilience.

His journey serves as a reminder that while fame and success can bring admiration and influence, they do not always guarantee peace. In the end, Hung Chiu Fung chose fulfillment not through the spotlight, but through a life devoted to simplicity and spiritual reflection.

Sources: K14