'90s HK Star Wong Yat San Spends S$1.7mil A Year On Family Expenses, Including Medical Bill For His Older Son Who Suffers From Rare Genetic Disorder

Fans of Stephen Chow’s ‘90s comedy flicks would be familiar with Hong Kong actor Wong Yat San, 59. 

In 2003, Yat San, who is best known for playing Turtle in the 1991 comedy classic Fight Back To School, moved to Guangzhou with his family. Although he has been largely absent from the Hong Kong showbiz scene, Yat San is still hustling hard in the Mainland, and for good reason.

Yat San was recently joined by his wife and two sons on a trip home to visit their relatives. While in Hong Kong, Yat San’s younger son, 23-year-old Song Kuang was seen pushing his older brother Song Heng, 28, in a wheelchair. 

Song Heng was only eight when he was diagnosed with leukodystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that affects the central nervous system, leading to a gradual loss of physical and mental function. 

Yat San and his wife of 29 years, Du Ting Ting, once spoke about Song Heng’s condition on a TVB talk show in 2011. 

According to Yat San, Song Heng was in primary school when they discovered he had difficulty remembering things.

His hands would tremble, and he would lose his balance while walking. Song Heng’s condition gradually deteriorated, and he would find it difficult to even lift a cup. Yat San also added that there was a chance Song Heng might lose his sight in the future.

Yat San knew his son would never be able to experience falling in love or start a family like a regular person, and would have to get around in a wheelchair. Ting Ting takes care of Song Heng’s daily needs, while Yat San works hard at making money to pay their son’s medical bills.

However, the couple are not complaining about their situation. They believe “it’s a blessing to be able to look after others”, and they cherish the time they have with their son. 

Their younger son, Song Kuang, graduated from University College London in 2022 with second-class honours, and is now pursuing his master’s degree in China. 

Yat San, who is still the sole breadwinner, once revealed that he spends around S$1.7mil a year on school fees and medical bills for his sons.

He has been working tirelessly to provide for them. He acts in dramas, online movies, makes live appearances, and also manages his own channel where he posts short videos.

Over the years, Yat San has been criticised by some netizens for accepting any job that came his way, even those that are of poor quality, though it now looks like he has an extremely valid reason for doing so. 

We wonder if the naysayers feel bad about judging him so harshly now?

Photos: HK01, Sinchew News