Veteran Hong Kong horror actor Louis Lui Yeung, known for the iconic *Troublesome Night* series, passed away quietly in Guangzhou in his early 60s, leaving his family behind.
In September in Guangzhou, Lei Yuyang passed away. The man who had spent his entire life making horror films—and whom the Hong Kong film industry had hailed as the “King of Horror” for half his life—had just turned sixty-something when he died suddenly, without any warning.
He graduated from the TVB Artistes Training Class early in his career and, when he first entered the industry, worked as a TV host for a while,after which he dedicated himself to the film and television industry, working his way up on set for decades. He has appeared in a total of 155 film and television productions, the most well-known of which is the *Yin-Yang Road* series—a shared memory for many from their youth spent in video rental shops. His stern, imposing face was once the reason many people were too afraid to get up alone late at night.
No one could have imagined that a man who had spent his entire career playing roles in thrillers would not end his life in the spotlight, nor would he live to see the start of filming for his next project; instead, he quietly settled into his home in Guangzhou, surrounded by his wife, Ma Li—who was 21 years his junior—and their young son, who had just started elementary school.
When the two first went public with their relationship, the significant age gap thrust them into the public spotlight, and the criticism from those around them nearly overwhelmed them. Most people in their situation would have been quick to come forward and defend themselves, but the two remained unfazed, choosing instead to keep to themselves and live their own quiet lives behind closed doors.Ma Li herself started out in the hosting industry and later worked as a news anchor; she earned her own living through hard work and never relied on Lei Yuyang like a parasitic plant clinging to a host;Lei Yuyang had built up his fortune over decades of hard work, and had even arranged a home complete with a private pool for his wife and child, ensuring everything was taken care of. The three of them lived a peaceful and stable life, with not a single whisper of outside gossip ever reaching their doorstep.Everyone around them felt that the days ahead would be nothing but a life of peace and prosperity.
No one could have imagined that the chronic health issues he’d developed from working nonstop on film sets during his youth had quietly progressed into stomach cancer; a perfectly healthy man was gone in the blink of an eye.
After the funeral arrangements were completed, 41-year-old Ma Li stood outside the memorial hall and, addressing the relatives and friends who had come to offer their condolences, simply said, “I will raise the child well.”
After the news spread, many people dug up clips from his early films, and as they watched, they found themselves in tears.Most of us in this generation worked hard to build our careers when we were young, often pulling all-nighters. We always thought we were in great shape and could just tough it out, but we never expected that the health debts we incurred in our youth would ultimately be owed to our families.Life doesn’t need to be all about superficial formalities. Don’t worry about what others might say; just focus on building a solid, down-to-earth life together. When a woman has her own career, she gains confidence; when a man can shoulder his family responsibilities, he demonstrates true commitment. A family living in peace and safety is far more meaningful than any empty fame or fleeting wealth.
Lei Yuyang spent his entire life portraying characters in horror stories, yet what he ultimately left the public with was never the terrifying “Ghost King” persona from the screen, but rather the simplest truths about living life, cherishing family, and taking care of one’s health.As we reach the end of our lives, what we should hold most tightly is the peace and everyday joys of those around us. As for what to prioritize in the days ahead, each of us already has our own answer in our hearts.
