Chilam Cheung. Photo: Handout
Source:
https://scmp.com/special-reports/xxiv/article/3160030/hong-kong-icon-chilam-cheung-pandemic-work-life-balance-while XXIV
Hong Kong icon Chilam Cheung on the pandemic, work-life balance – while being married to fellow star, Anita Yuen – and his favourite Cartier Crash watch
- Known as Julian in the 1990s, Cheung was in the Canto-pop duo who made ‘Modern Love Story’, Hong Kong’s most successful debut album ever, before getting into acting
- Half of a celebrity power couple, his wife Yuen won best actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards two years in a row for C’est la Vie, Mon Cherie and He’s a Woman, She’s a Man
Chilam Cheung in June 2018. Photo: Sam Tsang
There are surely few bigger celebrity couples than Chilam Cheung and Anita Yuen. Each had a stellar career in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Yuen was a beauty queen who won best new performer in her silver screen debut at the Hong Kong Film Awards. She also won best actress two years in a row for her roles in C’est la Vie, Mon Cherie and He’s a Woman, She’s a Man.
Known by the name Julian in the 90s, Cheung was one half of the duo who in 1991 made “Modern Love Story”, the most successful debut album in Hong Kong history. He later branched out into acting and he has been a heartthrob on screens big and small ever since.
Cheung and Yuen wed in 2001 and welcomed their son Morton into the world in 2006. They solidified their reputation as a celebrity couple by making multiple appearances on Chinese reality show With You All the Way, and others such as The Masked Singer.
Talking to us from his second home in China, Cheung admits that the pandemic has changed the way he spends time with his family. “It’s the reason why I’m in the mainland. Quarantine by myself was difficult and I had to rely on a regular regimen of exercise to help me through. Doing quarantine with my family made the time pass a lot faster.”
Morton, now in his teens, has grown up in the public eye. Cheung’s main concern surrounding the pandemic restrictions is how it will affect the boy’s social skills. “Growing up, I was a very active teen. You learn a lot through socialising with your friends. I think the pandemic is limiting a lot of interaction and the way kids are spending time with each other.”
Having performed at 2021’s Mid-Autumn Festival concert in Shenzhen, Cheung acknowledges that successfully managing his career across borders is the result of a major effort by him and his team. “I believe in preparation. It’s not uncommon for me to use more time preparing and organising than it takes to execute a project, but that makes sure things work out smoothly,” says the Return of the Cuckoo star.
Anita Yuen and Chilam Cheung attend the Valentino Lee Gardens flagship store opening in 2017. Photo: SCMP
On the subject of work-life balance – particularly when many working hours are spent alongside your significant other – Cheung identifies common interests as crucial: “My wife and I both love food: it doesn’t have to be expensive food but we love searching out delicious things to eat.”
But what about the stress of working together and living together all the time? “That’s really a matter of perspective,” Cheung adds. “If you don’t take the things you have for granted and understand that a lot of things in life are fleeting, then challenges and obstacles are just a part of life. My life hasn’t been stress free, but it’s my perspective that takes away the intensity of any challenge I’ve faced.”
Chilam Cheung’s preferred watch – the Cartier Crash
Cartier Crash. Photo: Handout
“I recently gifted this watch to my wife. I found the melting clock is like the time warp we’re experiencing in this pandemic.”