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Profile | Cantopop star, actor, adoring husband – Ekin Cheng’s rise to fame
- Cantopop singer Ekin Cheng has been in the entertainment industry for decades, having started out in an advertisement for a lemon tea drink
- His rise to fame has not been without its hiccups – the singer became a magnet for the tabloids and his romances have been criticised by the public
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This is the 23rd instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades.
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In the Cantopop world, Ekin Cheng Yee-kin stands out as someone whose star has shone for decades, and his journey from heartthrob idol to popular actor and singer is testament to his enduring talent, perseverance and appeal.
Born on October 4, 1967, the Hongkonger’s start in the entertainment industry was a lot like that of fellow actors Andy Lau Tak-wah and Tony Leung Chiu-wai – he enrolled in Hong Kong broadcaster TVB’s acting training programme.
Cheng’s good looks landed him a role in an advertisement for the Hi-C Lemon Tea drink, an opportunity which has served as a springboard for Hong Kong celebrities such as Nicholas Tse Ting-fung, Amy Fan Yik-man and Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi. The adverts often depicted high-school puppy love.
Cheng was a favourite on TVB’s variety show 430 Space Shuttle, which is often remembered for producing Hong Kong pop culture icons such as Tony Leung, Stephen Chow Sing-chi and Athena Chu Yan.
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