Shaolin Soccer Team Reunion: Stephen Chow’s Most Trusted Woman Attends

Stephen Chow (Sing Yeh) recently released “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer” in China to a staggering box office success, which reminded audiences of his 2001 self-directed and starred film, “Shaolin Soccer.” Recently, “Third Brother” Tin Kai Man (also known as Tin Gei) from the film gathered both on-screen and behind-the-scenes members of the production for a reunion. While Sing Yeh himself was not seen, his elder sister Chow Man Kei was reportedly present.

In fact, a few days prior, Tin Gei had already previewed the gathering on social media, saying he had been busy preparing this long-overdue dinner party as a celebration for “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer,” and he reminded everyone to keep an eye out. Recently released photos from the gathering show that “Third Brother” Tin Gei, “First Brother” Wong Yat Fei, “Second Brother” Mok Mei Lam, “Fourth Brother” Chan Kwok Kwan, and “Sixth Junior Brother” Lam Tsz Chung were all present. Tin Gei revealed that this gathering marked “five joyful occasions”: to celebrate Wong Yat Fei’s 84th birthday, Chan Kwok Kwan’s birthday, his own recent win of the Beijing International Best Supporting Actor award, Lam Tsz Chung’s participation in the box office success of “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer,” and the rare attendance of Mok Mei Lam. He specially prepared a cake for the celebration.

It was the first time the group had gathered in over 20 years. The only regret was that “Fifth Brother” Sing Yeh did not make an appearance, but his sister Chow Man Kei was reportedly present. Sing Yeh and his sister share a close relationship. Chow Man Kei has assisted her brother with behind-the-scenes affairs and is an executive director and member of the remuneration committee for Sing Yeh’s listed company “BIGO Group.” In fact, in recent years, though Sing Yeh’s directed films list him as producer, all the practical operations—financial arrangements, rights distribution, and the complex settlement of overseas income—have all been handled smoothly by Chow Man Kei behind the scenes. She is regarded as the woman Sing Yeh trusts the most.

Confirmed: 'Empty Seat' Reserved for Ng Man Tat

In addition, the end credits of “Kung Fu Women’s Soccer” contained a deliberately reserved mysterious “empty seat,” which led fans to speculate whether it was a tribute to Ng Man Tat. Recently, when Sing Yeh attended a promotional event and a fan asked him directly, he replied with a question: “What do you think?” After the audience member said that Ng Man Tat will always be the most important person in everyone’s hearts, Sing Yeh nodded and responded, “Absolutely agree.” These four short words were the first time he confirmed public speculation, and they showcased his subtle emotions, symbolizing that in Sing Yeh’s cinematic universe, there will always be an important place reserved for Ng Man Tat.