HK Novelist & Father-In-Law Of Vivian Chow, Ni Kuang, Dies From Skin Cancer At 87 - 8days Skip to main content

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HK Novelist & Father-In-Law Of Vivian Chow, Ni Kuang, Dies From Skin Cancer At 87

Ni Kuang, whose screenplays launched the careers of Jimmy Wang Yu, David Chiang, and Ti Lung, was oft-regarded as one of the “four greatest talents in Hongkong”.
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The Internet paid tribute to Hong Kong novelist and screenwriter Ni Kuang, best known for his hugely popular New Adventures of Wisely series, after he passed away yesterday (Jul 3). He was 87.

Actor and spokesman of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, Tin Kai Man, confirmed Ni Kuang’s passing, revealing that he died peacefully at 1pm. 

According to Ming Pao, the cause of death was skin cancer.

Kai Man said he felt “a bit lost” at the loss of two major figures in Hongkong’s arts scene, referring to the death of director and screenwriter Alex Law who passed away a day earlier, while author Sun Sai Shing said he was deeply saddened by the news and that “there may not be authors like him in Hongkong any more”.

Ni Kuang with his wife Li Guozhen, son, writer Joe Nieh, and daughter-in-law, singer Vivian Chow

Ni Kuang had revealed years ago that he had skin cancer and was suffering from aches and pains all over his body.

According to a close friend, his family, son, writer Joe Nieh, who is married to singer-actress Vivian Chow, and daughter Ni Sui, have been taking care of him. His wife Li Guozhen suffers from dementia.

Despite his illness, Ni Kuang was very optimistic and happy.

Vivian once described her father-in-law as very easy-going with the “heart of a child”. She said he would look at everything from the perspective of praise and chose to lead a happy life.

"I really want to learn from him in this regard,” said Vivian, adding that her attitude towards life became very positive thanks to her father-in-law.

Ni Kuang accepting his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2012

Born in Shanghai in 1935, Ni Kuang published his first novel in 1957 after moving to Hongkong.

He penned more than 300 wuxia and science fiction novels in his career, and was best known for the Wisely and Dr Yuen novel series, both of which have been adapted into films and TV series.

He branched out into writing screenplays during the rise of the Hongkong martial arts films in the 1960s. During his 13 years as a screenwriter, he wrote more than 400 screenplays, including One-Armed Swordsman (1967), The Deadly Duo (1971) and Avenging Eagle (1978), which launched the careers of martial arts stars Jimmy Wang Yu, David Chiang, and Ti Lung respectively.

His last screenplay was 1989 crime thriller Justice Heroes, which starred Stephen Chow and David Chiang.

Ni Kuang, who was regarded as one of the “four greatest talents in Hongkong”, won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2012 and the Jubilee Honour Award from the Hong Kong Screenwriters’ Guild in 2018.

Photos: SCMP, China Press

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