Kate Tsui

Kate Tsui Tsz-shan is a former Hong Kong actress, known for her work with Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB). She was crowned Miss Hong Kong in 2004. In December 2019, she announced her retirement from the entertainment industry, expressing plans to move to Europe and pursue further education.

Early life Tsui was born and raised in Hong Kong.

Before winning her beauty pageant title, she aspired to become a professional dancer. She began studying ballet at the age of four, but was forced to stop at the age of eleven after sustaining an ankle injury. At fourteen, she took up Jazz dance, salsa, and Argentine tango.

Tsui graduated from the University of California, Davis with a degree in psychology. After completing her studies in the United States, she returned to Hong Kong and worked as a translator and project coordinator at an engineering firm.

In 2004, she entered the Miss Hong Kong pageant and won, also receiving the titles of Miss Photogenic, Miss International Goodwill, and the Slimming Beauty Award. Following the competition, she signed with TVB and began her acting career.

TV career After guest appearances in The Zone and When Rules Turn Loose in 2005, Tsui made her official TV debut in the TVB drama La Femme Desperado (2006). Taiwanese film critic Mai Ruoyu remarked that Tsui displayed strong charisma and held her own in the series alongside veteran actresses Sheren Tang and Melissa Ng. Her portrayal of Ida earned nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Favorite Female Character at the 2006 TVB Anniversary Awards.

In 2007, Tsui appeared in The Brink of Law, On the First Beat, and Steps. These roles earned her the Most Improved Female Artist award at the TVB Anniversary Awards 2007. Her performance in Steps also brought her Best Actress and Favourite Female Character nominations.

In 2008, she played her first villain role in Moonlight Resonance, placing her in the top five for Best Supporting Actress at the TVB Anniversary Awards. Her leading role as a deaf character in Speech of Silence placed her in the top ten for Best Actress that same year.

From 2009 to 2010, Tsui focused on film work, returning to television in 2011 with six dramas. Her role as Paris Yiu in Lives of Omission received significant attention, winning her the My Favourite TVB Female TV Character award at the StarHub TVB Awards, as well as nominations for Best Actress and Favourite Female Character at the 2011 TVB Anniversary Awards and Outstanding Actress in Television at the Ming Pao Anniversary Award.

In 2011, amid a high turnover of contracted TVB artists, executive Virginia Lok named Tsui, Myolie Wu, Linda Chung, and Fala Chen, as the new “Top Four Fa Dans” (a Cantonese term for leading actresses with high popularity), succeeding Flora Chan, Ada Choi, Kenix Kwok, and Jessica Hsuan.

In Highs and Lows (2012), Tsui portrayed a character facing substance abuse, sexual assault, and eventual involvement in drug trafficking. She described filming the role as emotionally draining. Producer Lam Chi Wah called it the greatest breakthrough in her career, noting her departure from the beauty pageant image to take on a complex role. Director Patrick Kong also praised the maturity of her acting in emotional scenes.

In 2014, Tsui appeared in the TVB microfilm A Time of Love, starring in the “sorrow” segment opposite Taiwanese actors James Wen and Chris Wang. TVB reported receiving 39 viewer statements commending her performance, and columnist Ko Leung of Macao Daily likened her acting to Bai Baihe in The Stolen Years.

Her management contract with TVB ended in 2015. Tsui maintained a good relationship with the broadcaster, which arranged jobs for her until early February 2016. She stated she would not sign a new management contract until completing her jewelry design courses. alongside Tony Leung Ka-fai and Simon Yam. Her performance earned her the Best Newcomer – Gold Award from the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild and Best New Performer at the 27th Hong Kong Film Awards (2008).

In 2009, she starred in I Corrupt All Cops, a Hong Kong crime drama, directed by Wong Jing, who was impressed with the success of her debut performance in Eye in the Sky. Eason Chan, who plays her husband in the film, said Tsui's character is based on Shuang'er from The Deer and the Cauldron. From working with Tsui, Ng had openly praised her for her acting potential.

In 2013, she took part in a comedy film, I Love Hong Kong 2013. It is also the first film that veteran actress, Veronica Yip, has taken part in since her retirement in 1996. In the film, Tsui plays the younger version of Yip's character. The producer of the film, Eric Tsang, specifically praised her for providing the best performance out of the entire cast, referring to it as a "Best Actress performance". In the same year, Tsui was also cast in Giddens Ko film, A Choo, alongside Ariel Lin and Kai Ko.

In 2015, Tsui was cast in the thriller film, Knock Knock, Who's There? The film is the first directorial effort by veteran actress, Carrie Ng. She said she had intended to reject the role upon receiving the script because of the frightening content. However, she eventually agreed to the role due to Francis Ng's persistence and persuasion. With reference to collaborating with Tsui, Ng said that she is a very professional and admirable actress.

Jewelry design career In December 2015, Tsui launched a fine jewelry line with K.S. Sze & Sons Ltd. Her debut collection, "Rabbit-Duck Illusion", was a success. She indicated that her designs were inspired by Ludwig Wittgenstein's concept on seeing with different perceptions, using the ambiguous image of a "duckrabbit". She spoke of the concept behind her jewelry designs, "It's something that I like to remind myself of, that there are many situations in life that aren't worth splitting hairs over, and if I simply adjust the angle that I'm viewing things from, I can easily see a different perspective."

Filmography

Films Year Title Role Notes2007 Eye in the Sky Ho Ka-po (Piggy) Hong Kong Film Award for Best New Performer Contract Lover Rachel 2008 Lady Cop & Papa Crook Fiona Chan 2009 I Corrupt All Cops May Short of Love Scar Sandy The Super Snail Adventure Pretty Goat Animated Film Voice Role (Cantonese) Bodyguards and Assassins Fang Hong Character portrayed by Li Yuchun Voice Role (Cantonese) Avatar Neytiri Character portrayed by Zoe Saldaña Voice Role (Cantonese)2010 14 Blades Tuo Tuo 72 Tenants of Prosperity Bobo Cameo Perfect Wedding Remmy Cameo Just Another Pandora's Box Nurse Character portrayed by Xu Wanqiu Voice Role (Cantonese)2011 I Love Hong Kong Young Twin Cameo Turning Point 2 Yiu Ho-ho (Paris) Moon Castle: The Space Adventure Lazy Goat Animated Film Voice Role (Cantonese)2012 Mission Incredible: Adventures on the Dragon's Trail Pretty Goat Animated Film Voice Role (Cantonese)2013 I Love Hong Kong 2013 Mei Yeung-yeung Baby Blues Ying Nam 2015 Knock Knock, Who's There? Sau Yung 2016 Buddy Cops Little Princess

Television Nominated — TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2014 for My Favourite TVB On-Screen Couple (Dayo Wong & Kate Tsui) (Top 3) Won — StarHub TVB Awards 2014 for My Top 6 Favourite TVB Female TV Character2014 A Time of Love Ah San/Kelly TVB-Produced Micro FilmEpisode 01 The Ultimate Addiction Gia Chi Nga Nominated — StarHub TVB Awards 2014 for My Favourite TVB Actress Nominated — StarHub TVB Awards 2014 for My Favourite TVB Female TV Character Nominated — StarHub TVB Awards 2014 for My Favourite TVB On-Screen Couple (Bosco Wong & Kate Tsui) (Top 5) Tomorrow Is Another Day Yiu Ngoi-ka Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress 2014 (Top 5) Nominated — TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2014 for My Favourite TVB Actress in a Leading Role (Top 5)Won — TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2014 for My Top 15 Favourite TVB Drama Characters 2015 Smooth Talker Mo Sui-yee Nominated — StarHub TVB Awards 2015 for My Favourite TVB Actress Nominated — StarHub TVB Awards 2015 for My Favourite TVB Female TV Character Nominated — TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2015 for My Favourite TVB Actress in a Leading Role Nominated — TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2015 for My Top 15 Favourite TVB Drama CharactersNominated — TVB Anniversary Awards for Best Actress 2015 2018 Guardian Angel Yip Chi Introduced in Episode 03

Awards 2016 The most promising new entrepreneur of the year - katetsui.com

2015 Jade Solid Gold Music Awards Presentation 2014 – Song Award: 棋逢敵手 (with Hubert Wu)

2014 StarHub TVB Awards 2014 – My Top 6 Favourite Female TV Character Award (Bounty Lady) StarHub TVB Awards 2014 – Everlasting Glow Award Jade Solid Gold Second Round Music Awards 2014 – Song Award: 棋逢敵手 (with Hubert Wu)

2013 StarHub TVB Awards 2013– My Top 6 Favourite Female TV Character Award (Highs and Lows) StarHub TVB Awards 2013 – Most Glamorous Female Artist Award Next TV Awards 2013 – Top 10 Artist (No. 10)

2012 TVB 45th Anniversary Awards 2012 – My Favourite Female Character Award (Highs and Lows) StarHub TVB Awards 2012 – My Top 6 Favourite Female TV Character Award (Lives of Omission) StarHub TVB Awards 2012 – Star of Perfect Poise Award My AOD Awards 2012 – My Top 15 Favourite Characters Award (Highs and Lows)

2011 StarHub TVB Awards 2011 – My Favourite Female TV Character (When Lanes Merge) StarHub TVB Awards 2011 – Most Energetic Award My AOD Awards 2011 – My Top 15 Favourite Characters Award (Forensic Heroes III)

2010 2009 Ultimate Song Chart Awards (903) – Female Newcomer – Silver 2009 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation – Best Newcomer Artist – Gold 2009 RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards – Best Prospective Newcomer Award – Gold Sina Music Awards 2009 – My Favourite Female Newcomer 2009 – Bronze Sprite Music Award Ceremony 2009 – Most Outstanding Newcomer Award (Hong Kong Region) IFPI Hong Kong CD Sales Presentation 2009 – Top Selling Hong Kong Female Newcomer

2009 Jade Solid Gold First Round Music Awards 2009 – Newcomer Impact Award JSG Third Round Music Awards 2009 – Song Award: Hit Me Metro Radio Hits Music Award Presentation 2009 – Metro Radio Hits King of New Singers Award 2009 (Female)

2008 27th Hong Kong Film Awards – Best New Performer Award

2007 TVB 40th Anniversary Awards 2007 – Most Improved Female Artist Award Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild 2007 – Best Newcomer – Gold Award

2005 Miss Chinese International 2005 – Miss Gorgeous

2004 Miss Hong Kong 2004 – Winner Miss Hong Kong 2004 – Miss Photogenic Miss Hong Kong 2004 – Miss International Goodwill Miss Hong Kong 2004 – Slimming Beauty Award

Discography

Albums YearTitleNotesDetails2009 Kiss Me Kate EP albumRelease date: 10 September 20091. 讀心術2. Hit Me3. 惡作劇4. 血拼5. 讀心術 remix (Master Mind Mix)6. 讀心術 remix (Carnival Mix)

Singles