Lai Lok-yi
Lai Lok-yi (born 15 June 1980) is a Hong Kong actor. He is best known for playing John Ma in the TVB sitcom Come Home Love from 2012 to 2015. In 2018, he was nominated for a TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character for his performance as Elvis Yip in the comedy drama Who Wants a Baby.
Lai Lok-yi | |||||||||||
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| Born | Lai Yat-sing 黎日昇 (Traditional) 黎日升 (Simplified) Lai4 Jat6 Sing1 (Cantonese) Lí Rìshēng / Li2 Jih4-sheng1 (Mandarin) June 15, 1980 | ||||||||||
| Occupation | Actor | ||||||||||
| Years active | 2003–present | ||||||||||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||
| Spouse(s) | Nicole Lee (m. 2014) | ||||||||||
| Children | 1 | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 黎諾懿 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 黎诺懿 | ||||||||||
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Background
Lai Lok Yi was born on 15 June 1980 in Hong Kong into a very poor family with 5 members including himself, his parents, an older brother and a younger brother; he is the middle child. Growing up, he lived in a small flat in Hong Kong. His father worked very hard to buy a truck for delivery which helped to improve the life of his family. However, at 11 years old, his father died from cancer. After his death, his and his family's lives worsen. His mother worked 2 jobs while raising her children, an office cleaner and a street vendor. In high school, he started working various part-time jobs in hopes to support his family. He even worked as a docker in 2 big supermarkets in Hong Kong, or taught children to earn money.[1]
After graduating from Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Yau Tze Tin Memorial College, Lai worked in a bank. After much pressure, he resigned. Lai signed up for TVB's Artiste Training School in 2001. After 3 unsuccessful interviews, he was eventually chosen due a close resemblance of the late music star Danny Chan.[1]
Career
Actor career of Lai Lok Yi is a long way from his early rise to success and long plateau. After making cameo appearances in several dramas, Lai earned his first major supporting role in the sports drama Aqua Heroes while he was still a trainee. He graduated from the school in 2002.[2] In 2003,he then starred in the idol drama Hearts of Fencing, leading a cast consisting entirely of rookies. Back then, when he debuted, he was grouped with fellow actors Raymond Lam, Ron Ng, Bosco Wong, Sammul Chan and Kenneth Ma to make up the “Olympic Six”. While the other five in the group have already reached male lead status, Lok Yi was still hovering in second and third line roles. People said that TVB did not intend to make his name although Lai Lok Yi had all the fundamentals to become a successful actor with his tall stature and handsome good looks.[3]
Until 2012, sitcom drama Come Home Love gained a big success, and Lai Lok Yi played the main role as John Ma who helped him become famous and gained numerous fans not only in Hong Kong, but in China and other countries in the Southeast Asia area. And then, he also joined in many successful dramas of TVB such as: My Unfair Lady, Daddy Cool, Presumed Accidents, The Tofu War . The main role (Wong Siu Ming) in The Tofu War helped him receive the TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character 2017. Who Wants a Baby is the latest drama which he played as the main role. The drama is also successful and his role is favorited by audience. It assists him receive the nomination for Best Actor and Most Popular Male Character in TVB Anniversary Awards in the next year.[3]
The origin of the stage name "Lai Lok Yi"
His real name is Lai Yat Sing which was named by his late father. The stage name "Lai Lok Yi" was named by his teacher. He chose his name while filling the form of attending the training artist class. He thought that this name will bring him the durability in the career.[1]
Personal life
Lai dated Tavia Yeung from 2008 to 2011.[4] From 2011 to 2014, Lai dated Nicole Lee, a former Miss Hong Kong contestant and heiress to a Hong Kong-based beauty corporation. They married in November 2014.[5] They have one son, born in 2017.
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Dream | 2007 | ||
| Bad Blood | 2010 | Jason Lok | |
| Womb Ghosts | 2010 | Joseph | |
| I Love Hong Kong | 2011 | FEHD staff | Cameo |
| I Love Hong Kong 2013 | 2013 |
Television dramas
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow | 2003 | Private Investigator | |
| Better Halves | 2003 | Constable | |
| Virtues of Harmony II | 2003 | Jackie | |
| The 'W' Files | 2003 | Japanese soldier (extra) | |
| Survivor's Law | 2003 | (extra) | |
| Aqua Heroes | 2003 | Chi Cho-yam | |
| Hearts of Fencing | 2003 | Au-yeung Yat | TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite On-screen Partners – Non-dramas |
| Triumph in the Skies | 2003 | office worker (extra) / trainee | Episode 24 / Episode 40 (end) |
| Dream of Colours | 2004 | Koo Lok-man | |
| Hard Fate | 2004 | shopper (extra) | |
| To Catch the Uncatchable | 2004 | Lai Lap-chi | |
| Split Second | 2004 | Dick Au Kin-fung | |
| ICAC Investigators 2004 | 2004 | Inspector Arthur Kwok Chi-hei | |
| Always Ready | 2005 | Kelvin Chiang Ka-lok | |
| Safe Guards | 2006 | Sheung Yee | |
| Welcome to the House | 2006 | Ma Tak-on | |
| Land of Wealth | 2006 | Cho King-yin | |
| Forensic Heroes | 2006 | Chan Man-tik | Episodes 1–2 |
| Glittering Days | 2006 | James Hui Wing-hong | Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste (Top 5) |
| Ten Brothers | 2007 | Thousand Mile Eye | Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste (Top 5) |
| Heart of Greed | 2007 | Tong Chi-foon | Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor (Top 20) Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste (Top 5) |
| The Green Grass of Home | 2007 | Choi Ka-po | Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Male Artiste (Top 5) |
| Fathers and Sons | 2007 | Ben Lui Ka-sing | |
| The Building Blocks of Life | 2007 | Choi Chi-yin | |
| Forensic Heroes II | 2008 | Lee Chi-wai | Episodes 20–22 |
| Speech of Silence | 2008 | Cheung Yau | |
| Moonlight Resonance | 2008 | Kam Wing-yuen | |
| The Beauty of the Game | 2009-10 | Deacon Chong Tik-kan | |
| In the Eye of the Beholder | 2010 | Ching-tak Emperor | |
| Every Move You Make | 2010 | Mak Wing-hei | |
| Twilight Investigation | 2010 | Yau Sum-kit | |
| Only You | 2011 | "King" Cheung King-yuen | Nominated — My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Promising Actor |
| The Other Truth | 2011 | Danny Mo King-yip | |
| The Life and Times of a Sentinel | 2011 | Kei Man-cheong (youth) | Episode 1 |
| Forensic Heroes III | 2011 | Vic Mak Wing-fu | Episodes 1–3 |
| Daddy Good Deeds | 2012 | Chan Lap-shun | |
| King Maker | 2012 | Chiu Kwai-wo | |
| Come Home Love | 2012-15 | John Ma Chong |
|
| Ruse of Engagement | 2014 | Fu Wang-leung | |
| ICAC Investigators 2016 | 2016 | Bao Siu-chung | |
| Presumed Accidents | 2016 | Mantus Cheuk Sing-yeung | |
| My Unfair Lady | 2017 | Hanson Ho Chi-chiu | |
| The Tofu War | 2017 | Samuel Wong Siu-ming |
|
| Another Era | 2017 | Chu Kong | |
| Daddy Cool | 2018 | Gordon Tong Chak-ching | |
| Who Wants A Baby | 2018 | Elvis Yip Chi-ting |
|
| My Life As Loan Shark | 2019 | Ben Ching Yu-sum |
|
| Go! Go! Go! Operation C9 | 2020 | B3 |
|
| A Nail in the Heart | TBA | Kong Ching-fun |
Music video appearances
- 2003: "Fong Sang" (放生) by Jade Kwan
- 2003: "Tung Yau Ji Chui" (痛由自取) by Yumiko Cheng
- 2005: "San Sai Kai" (新世界) by 2R
- 2005: "Rolls-Royce" by Denise Ho
- 2005: "Tei Ping Sin" (地平線) by Ella Koon
- 2006: "Sam Sang Yau Hang" (三生有幸) by Ronald Cheng
- 2006: "December Rain" by Rain Li
- 2008: "Jui Mei Lai Tik Tai Chat Tin" (最美麗的第七天) by Vincy Chan
- 2008: "Sui Sin Mo Cheung Ngor Jeh Yeung Keung Tik Yan" (誰羨慕像我這樣強的人) by Theresa Fu
- 2008: "Yee Yan Sai Kai" (二人世界) Linda Chung
- 2009: "I'm Sorry" by Charlene Choi
References
- Lai Lok Yi Reflects on 11-Year Acting Career
- OH ING YEEN (August 19, 2009). "Turbulent Drama". thestar Online. Malaysia: Star Publications. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
- Lai Lok Yi Reflects on Early Rise and Plateau of Career
- Tavia Yeung Still Dating Lai Lok Yi?
- Celebrity Weddings: Lai Lok Yi and Nicole Lee
- Lai Lok-yi at hkmdb.com
- Lai Lok-yi at chinesemov.com