Why Gregory Charles Rivers, also known as Ho Kwok-wing, is the ‘Real Hongkonger’
Singer-actor from Australia who has fully assimilated into his adopted home here discusses his Canto-pop dreams, high rents, and a happier 1980s Hong Kong he once knew
Gregory Charles Rivers – or Ho Kwok-wing as some may know him by – has been dubbed the “Real Hongkonger” by countless local internet users for his decades-long dedication to promoting Cantonese culture. The 50-year-old Australian singer and actor has been in local showbiz since he first arrived in the city in 1987 and has become arguably one of the best-known Western faces in Hong Kong.
Not only is Rivers able to speak better Cantonese than most Hongkongers, he has also appeared in more than 200 different local television series. But Rivers said his passion still lies in singing Canto-pop songs. His recent hit, Forever ATV, which satirises the demise of the now defunct broadcaster, has gone viral on the Internet. It earned him the title of “Most Popular Male Singer in Hong Kong”, given by internet video platform, TV Most.
What brought you here in 1987?
When I was studying in Australia, I spent a lot of my time with people from Hong Kong. There was a Hong Kong Students Association. They had a disco and talent competition. I was always there helping out. I discovered Canto-pop when I was in university and fell in love with it straight away. I was actually singing Canto-pop and reading the Chinese lyrics before I came to Hong Kong. In my third year as a medicine student, I failed my exam because I spent so much time with friends instead of studying. I decided I didn’t want to be a doctor. I wanted to go to Hong Kong and become a Canto-pop star. I worked three or four part-time jobs for a year and saved some money. Then I bought a one-way ticket and flew over.
What was it about Hong Kong that attracted you?