Hong Kong comedy legend Michael Hui on life, death and letting go

Hong Kong comedy legend Michael Hui Koon-man, who plays a Taoist priest in the local blockbuster film The Last Dance set in the funeral business, has revealed his wishes for his own final day.

In a rare sharing session on life and death issues with Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) medical students at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin on Monday evening, the 83-year-old actor said the key to living a meaningful life was to be happy.

“Life is so pretty that we have to treasure the views of our lives,” he said in a dialogue with students who must confront the issue of patients dying on a daily basis.

Hui stressed the importance of letting go of obsession and attachment, saying that “once you let go, you are happy”. Happiness was extremely important, he added.

Joining Hui for the dialogue on life and death were the dean of CUHK’s medical school, Professor Philip Chiu Wai-yan, the clinical oncology department’s chairman, Professor Tony Mok Shu-kam, students and staff.

Asked for his view about the worrying issue of youth suicides, Hui said: “We are destined to die no matter what, why not appreciate the views [on the journey]?”