Once hailed as a rising star in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry, Matthew Ko Kwan Yin, the first-ever winner of TVB’s Mr. Hong Kong competition in 2005, is now making headlines for a very different reason — his fall from grace. Once commanding up to CNY ¥552,400 ($76,000) per acting project, Matthew is reportedly working as a construction laborer to provide for his wife and young daughter after years of financial mismanagement.
At the height of his fame, Matthew Ko starred in hit TVB dramas such as On the First Beat, Burning Flame III, and Forensic Heroes II. However, instead of saving or investing his earnings, he adopted a lavish lifestyle, spending indiscriminately. Despite his declining popularity and extended periods of unemployment in recent years, Ko continued to burn through cash, reportedly spending over CNY ¥27,000 ($3,795) each month.
His excessive spending ultimately led to financial ruin. According to his wife, Matthew now does daily construction work carrying bricks and mixing mortar under the hot sun just to earn enough for diapers and milk for their one-year-old daughter. The once-groomed TVB star now lives frugally, opting for cheap street food and a modest lifestyle, despite still residing in a relatively upscale home.
Before turning to manual labor, Ko also worked briefly at a car wash. In 2023, he attempted a comeback with a role in the TV drama News Queen, thanks to the support of a few old colleagues. However, without a management company backing him and with TVB no longer interested in reviving his career, Ko’s return to the entertainment industry proved short-lived.
Born in 1984, Matthew Ko Kwan Yin was once considered TVB’s golden boy, known for his model looks and charm. His journey from celebrity to construction worker has sparked both sympathy and cautionary reflection within the entertainment community.
Sources: afamily