Kenny Bee Wins First Film Acting Award in 52-Year Career

It’s never too late to hit a career milestone, just ask Hong Kong star Kenny Bee, 72.

The veteran singer-actor recently won Best Actor at the 2025 Wu Tianming Youth Film for his performance in 二十四味 (Twenty-Four Flavours). And believe it or not, this is his first ever film acting award in his 52-year career.

What made the win even more surprising is that the movie hasn’t been officially released.

In an interview with HK01, Kenny said: “This film festival was mainly set up to encourage young, up-and-coming directors and crew members. But there turned out to be an award for actors too, and I won it. To be recognised and to achieve something like this makes me really happy.”

Kenny revealed he didn’t throw a big celebration with his family. “I just felt happy about it,” he said.

He also couldn’t resist cracking a joke, pointing out that many actors whom he’s worked with over the years like Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung have gone on to win awards.

“So, if anyone wants to win an award, they should act with me!” he laughed. “I’ve been a real lucky charm.”

Directed by young Guangzhou filmmaker Huang Qiling, Twenty-Four Flavours also stars Sylvia Chang and Angela Yuen, who play Kenny's wife and daughter respectively.

The film tells the story of a young woman Si Yue, who returns from the UK and finds her mother’s herbal tea shop facing demolition, while her parents’ relationship unravels.

 The titular “twenty-four flavours” herbal tea serves as a metaphor for life’s many facets.

Since 2024, the film has made waves on the festival circuit. It was selected for the Hong Kong-Macau-Taiwan section of the Golden Rooster Chinese Film Festival, the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival, and the New Chinese Cinema section of the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival.