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On November 25, 2020, the Hong Kong High Court once again heard a high-profile civil dispute case - comedy superstar Stephen Chow was sued by his ex-girlfriend Yu Wenfeng for profit dividends from investment properties such as the "Tianbihgao" luxury housing projects, with the amount reaching HK$70 million (approximately US$9.03 million). This case has attracted great attention from the media and the public because it involves celebrity privacy and huge financial disputes.
Zhou's low-key appearance in court and the court scene
Stephen Chow arrived at the court before 9:30 am that day, but his car chose to drive directly into the court parking lot, avoiding the media waiting at the main entrance. In contrast, plaintiff Yu Wenfeng and other witnesses entered and exited through the main entrance of the court. Stephen Chow wore a black suit and black-framed glasses, with his signature gray semi-long hair undone, and his overall look was low-key. At around 10 a.m., he began to testify after taking the oath in Cantonese. The courtroom was packed, so the judiciary extended the court area to the external area and live broadcast was used to meet the public's needs for attendance.
Testimony and Adjournment Interlude
During the trial, Stephen Chow remained calm and revealed that this was not his first time appearing in court. He also said that he "kept a calm mind and was not nervous." During the recess, he went into the conference room to rest, deliberately turned off the lights and turned his back to the transparent glass wall, as if intending to maintain privacy. During the lunch break, a lady who claimed to be a friend of Stephen Chow presented two 40-centimeter-tall Bruce Lee doll models, one in classic yellow clothes and the other in naked kung fu style. Stephen Chow humorously asked the reporters present whether they liked it, and joked, "I'll give one to you?", but the gift was declined by the recipient. He then invited the lady to have lunch with the legal team, showing his friendly side.
Out-of-court interaction and media response
Facing media inquiries, Stephen Chow showed his usual humorous attitude. When the reporter mentioned the public's concern about the case, he responded calmly, "I don't know," and asked the reporter, "What are you busy with recently?" Although his lawyer tried to dissuade him from asking questions, Stephen Chow still cooperated and answered some of the questions. Talking about his recent situation, he admitted that during the epidemic, "I really want to fly, and I want to go to Macau the most." He then added that this was a metaphor, meaning "If I can't go to Macau, I can't go anywhere." When asked about the choice between traveling and work, he made it clear that work comes first and revealed that he still has film-related matters to deal with.
Case Background and Dispute Focus
The core dispute in this case stems from the cooperative relationship between Stephen Chow and Yu Wenfeng during their 13-year relationship (1997-2010). Yu Wenfeng accused the two parties of having a verbal agreement that she assisted Stephen Chow in his investment as a "personal consultant" and that she would receive the profits of 10% as commission, including the "Tianbihgao" luxury housing project purchased for HK$320 million in 2004. After the project was rebuilt, part of it was sold and its market value soared to more than HK$1 billion, but Stephen Chow denied the existence of the agreement, emphasizing that the relationship between the two parties was a "gift between lovers" and had no legal effect. The trial focused on the legal effect of oral agreements and the verification of financial evidence.
Public Opinion and Social Concern
The trial of the case sparked heated discussions among the public on celebrities’ financial disputes, emotional relationships and legal boundaries. Stephen Chow's performance in court contrasts with his screen image; his calm response and occasional sense of humor became the focus of media reports. Yu Wenfeng's side tried to prove the fact of business cooperation through detailed financial records and witness testimonies. Legal experts pointed out that the judgment in this case may have a landmark impact on the legal recognition of "verbal agreements" in intimate relationships.
Subsequent progress and industry impact
Although the case is still under trial, the information about "movie work to be done" revealed by Stephen Chow has attracted fans' attention to his creative progress. As an iconic figure in Chinese comedy, his output of works has decreased in recent years. It is not yet known whether this dispute will affect his career plans. In addition, the "Tianbihgao" project involved in this case, as a symbol of Hong Kong's top luxury homes, also reflects the complex interweaving of the entertainment industry and real estate investment.
This case is not only a judicial battle for financial recovery, but also a window into the private lives of celebrities and their business ethics. As the trial progresses, the public expects the law to give a fair footnote to this story that spans emotions and interests.
Further reading:
- [Celebrity Property] The commercial building owned by actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai reduced rent for tenants, and the rental return is only 1.8%, which is worse than regular rent
- Alibaba founder Jack Ma may spend HK$1.5 billion to buy a super luxury house in Hong Kong, setting two new records in the global real estate market
