Following her Best Actress win at the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards, Fish Liew has reached a defining moment in her career. Known for her range and quiet intensity on screen, her rise has been steady rather than sudden. Here are five things to know about the actress shaping Hong Kong cinema today
She is Malaysian-born, but built her career in Hong Kong
Fish Liew has built a successful career in Hong Kong, but she was actually born in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Drawn by a long-standing admiration for Hong Kong cinema, she moved to the city at 22 to pursue acting after studying film-related subjects back home. It proved to be a defining step. Over time, she has grown into one of the cross-border talents shaping Hong Kong cinema today, with her recent Best Actress win adding further weight to that journey.
Her early years in Hong Kong were far from easy
When Liew arrived in Hong Kong in 2012, she did so without industry connections, and the early years were far from certain. She took on modelling work and small roles while living in a subdivided flat in Sham Shui Po, balancing ambition with financial pressure. Progress came gradually. Her role in Doomsday Party (2013), which earned her a Best New Performer nomination, marked an early turning point and began to open up more opportunities.
Her roles span a wide range of characters
A defining aspect of Liew’s career is her willingness to challenge herself. In her earlier films, including Doomsday Party (2013) and Lazy Hazy Crazy (2015), she took on bold performances early on, setting the tone for her approach to acting. That instinct carries through her later work, from playing a disabled drug trafficker in Limbo (2021) to portraying a woman living with cerebral palsy in Someone Like Me (2025), a role widely praised for its sensitivity and restraint. Taken together, her choices reflect an actress who has steadily proven herself through complexity and range.
She made history with her Hong Kong Film Awards wins
Her Best Actress win for Someone Like Me marks a major milestone, adding to her earlier Best Supporting Actress award for Anita (2021) at the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards. With that, she becomes the first Malaysian actress to achieve both honours. More than a single achievement, it reflects a career that has unfolded steadily over time, moving from supporting roles into leading recognition and firmly placing her among Hong Kong cinema’s leading performers.
Her partner is also part of her creative journey
Off-screen, Liew shares a long-term relationship with actor and director Lo Chun-yip, also known as Siu Yea Lo. In her acceptance speech, she thanked him for standing by her through years of uncertainty, offering a glimpse into the personal support behind her career. Their connection also extends to their work, including their recent collaboration in Night King (2026), suggesting a partnership shaped by both shared creative ground and private life.
