Benny Chan played Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, in TVB’s 1998 drama Journey to the West II. With his scholarly good looks and charming performance, he won the hearts of audiences. However, his career was later severely damaged by a relationship scandal that sent shock waves through the entertainment industry.
The controversy earned Chan widespread criticism, with some even labeling him the most controversial Monkey King ever portrayed on screen.
The “Prince” of Historical Dramas
Born in 1969, Benny Chan entered the entertainment industry after being approached on the street by a talent scout looking for new actors. His refined, youthful appearance translated well on screen, quickly winning over audiences. He was also known for his versatility as an actor and his talent as a singer.
During the 1990s, Chan became one of Hong Kong’s most popular entertainers. At one point, his name was reportedly even more prominent than those of Andy Lau and Louis Koo.
In 1998, Chan was cast as Sun Wukong in TVB’s Journey to the West II. He replaced Dicky Cheung, who had achieved great success in the first installment but left TVB following a dispute over his salary. Chan later admitted that he felt considerable pressure and anxiety about living up to his predecessor’s enormously popular portrayal.
Unlike earlier versions of the character, Chan’s Monkey King was youthful, mischievous, playful, and infused with his own distinctive sense of humor. His interpretation also won over viewers.
Beyond Journey to the West, Chan made his mark in numerous classic television dramas, including Gods of Honour, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, and The Legend of Crazy Monk. Thanks to his striking looks, the public affectionately dubbed him the “Prince of Historical Dramas.”
A Shocking Scandal That Derailed His Career
In 2011, Chan announced his marriage to model Jiang Lisha. Just as his career was flourishing, however, the celebrated actor became embroiled in a scandal that rocked the entertainment industry.
Chan and fellow actor Ma Tak-chung were accused of behaving inappropriately toward their 19-year-old junior colleague, actress Rose Chan, while allegedly under the influence of alcohol. Rose Chan decided to speak out publicly, condemning the two actors for their conduct. Photographs capturing their controversial behavior also surfaced, making it difficult for them to dismiss the allegations.
Initially, Chan defended himself by claiming that he had merely been comforting his younger female colleague. His explanation drew further criticism, with people accusing him of being unfaithful to his wife and dishonest about what had happened. In an attempt to salvage his reputation, Chan and his wife held a press conference to apologize to the public and his fans. Jiang, who was pregnant at the time, broke down in tears as she pleaded with the public to forgive her husband.
The controversy dealt a severe blow to Chan’s public image. In addition to facing accusations of infidelity while his wife was pregnant, he was widely criticized over his alleged inappropriate conduct toward a colleague.
Following the scandal, Chan tried to rebuild his image as a devoted family man. Nevertheless, the backlash continued. As audiences turned away from him, the career of the actor born in 1969 went into a dramatic decline.
At 57, Branded the “King of Low-Quality Films”
The scandal reportedly made it increasingly difficult for Chan to secure roles in major productions. He eventually turned to low-budget, quickly produced films to earn money, leading some critics to label him the “King of Low-Quality Films.”
In recent years, unlike many of his contemporaries, Chan has continued working at an intense pace. He reportedly appeared in around 20 films over three years, yet none received particularly strong reviews. To supplement his income, he has also turned to livestreaming to sell products.
His extensive use of cosmetic procedures has also reportedly altered his once-famous face, leaving it looking stiff and noticeably different, which has affected his on-screen performances.
Once praised as an ageless heartthrob of Chinese-language entertainment, Chan, now 57, has struggled to maintain his former youthful appearance. Even under heavy makeup, signs of aging remain visible on screen.
With wrinkles becoming more noticeable, his attempts to portray youthful, scholarly characters can appear awkward and exaggerated. Many viewers have expressed regret over the decline in both the looks and career of a star who was once one of the industry’s most celebrated leading men.
Sources: kenh14