Former kung fu starlet Kara Hui talks

Kara Hui, the top Hong Kong kung fu star of the 1980s was recently interviewed by HK-magazine. A former protégé of legendary kung fu filmmaker Lau Kar-leung and star of hits like MY YOUNG AUNTIE, Hui is makes a comeback, at least as an actress, by starring in the indie drama AT THE END OF DAYBREAK.

Hui talked about her humble beginnings as a poor “Hawker Girl” selling souvenirs to American G.I.’s heading off to Vietnam before she was discovered by a talent scout while performing as a dancer at a nightclub at the shocking age of 15.

“My mom refused to sign the actor’s contract with Shaw Studios for me though. She figured I made a pretty decent salary as a dancer. I was making around $800 a month. But I figured if I made it big as an actress, I’d earn way more than a dancer. So I got my sister to sign the contract instead. The first year at Shaw Studios I made $6,000. The next year it was $30,000,” said Hui.

Hui went on to reveal depression and thoughts of suicide that she suffered at age 40 when the roles she was being offered became more selective because of her age.

“My reaction to everything was, ‘No way…’ I couldn’t face reality. So I stopped everything for four years. I lost all self-confidence. I would change clothes a hundred times before going out, then decide not to go out.”

She eventually came to terms with the situation with the support of friends and family.

Although Hui admits that her kung fu fighting days are behind her, the spirit and enthusiasm she displayed in classics like MAD MONKEY KUNG FU, MARTIAL CLUB and THE LADY IS THE BOSS is still with her.

“I’d love to dropkick someone but my body just can’t take it anymore.”

Source: HK-magazine