Lai Lok-yi

Lai Lok-yi
Born
Lai Yat-sing
黎日昇 (Traditional)
黎日升 (Simplified)
Lai4 Jat6 Sing1 (Cantonese)
Lí Rìshēng / Li2 Jih4-sheng1 (Mandarin)

(1980-06-15) June 15, 1980 (age 44)
Occupation(s)Actor, host
Years active2003–present
Notable workCome Home Love
Who Wants a Baby?
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Spouse
Nicole Lee
(m. 2014)
Children2 sons
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese黎諾懿
Simplified Chinese黎诺懿
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinLí Nùoyì
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingLai4 Nok6 Ji3

Chris Lai Lok-yi (born 15 June 1980) is a Hong Kong actor, host and producer contracted to TVB.

Lai is best known for playing John Ma in the TVB sitcom Come Home Love from 2012 to 2015. In 2018, he was nominated for TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor for his performance as Elvis Yip in the family drama Who Wants a Baby?.

Background

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Lai Lok-yi was born on 15 June 1980 in Hong Kong in a very poor family with 5 members including himself, his parents, an elder brother and a younger brother; he is the middle child. He grew up living in a small flat in Hong Kong. Lai’s father worked very hard to buy a truck for delivery, which helped 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 worsened. His mother worked 2 jobs, an office cleaner and a street vendor, while raising her children. 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 and 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

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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 took on 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 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, Lai 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 played the main role as John Ma, which rose him to popularity. In the next few years, Lai also starred in several popular TVB dramas such as: My Unfair Lady, Daddy Cool, Presumed Accidents and The Tofu War . In 2018, Lai starred in the family drama Who Wants a Baby? as the first male lead. The drama earned critical acclaim and garnered him nominations for Best Actor and Most Popular Male Character at the 2018 TVB Anniversary Awards.[3]

The origin of the stage name "Lai Lok Yi"

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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 artiste class. He believed that this name would bring him the durability in the career.[1]

Personal life

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Lai dated actress 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 got married in November 2014.[5] Their son was born in 2017. Their second son was born in early 2022.

Filmography

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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

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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 Main Role
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 Main Role

Nominated -TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character

Another Era 2017 Chu Kong
Daddy Cool 2018 Gordon Tong Chak-ching
Who Wants A Baby 2018 Elvis Yip Chi-ting Main Role

Nominated -TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor Nominated -TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character

My Life As Loan Shark 2019 IP Ben Ching Yu-sum Main Role

Nominated -TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor

Go! Go! Go! Operation C9 2020 B3 Main Role

Nominated -TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor

Murder Diary 2021 CIP Kong Ching-fun Major Supporting Role

Nominated -TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor

Happy Ever After? 2024 Kam Shing-kwan Main Role

Music video appearances

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  • 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

[6] [7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Lai Lok Yi Reflects on 11-Year Acting Career
  2. ^ OH ING YEEN (August 19, 2009). "Turbulent Drama". thestar Online. Malaysia: Star Publications. Retrieved 17 April 2010.
  3. ^ a b Lai Lok Yi Reflects on Early Rise and Plateau of Career
  4. ^ Tavia Yeung Still Dating Lai Lok Yi?
  5. ^ Celebrity Weddings: Lai Lok Yi and Nicole Lee
  6. ^ Lai Lok-yi at hkmdb.com
  7. ^ Lai Lok-yi at chinesemov.com
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