Let’s take you through ten fascinating facts about Jeffrey Ngai, the rising Hong Kong star who has captured everyone’s fancy.
At just 25, Jeffrey Ngai has etched the top spot in Hong Kong’s entertainment scene. The admirable actor/ model/ singer is a talent powerhouse who has established himself as the darling of Hong Kong’s ViuTV with appearances in shows like Be a Better Man, Be On Game and In Geek We Trust. Jeffrey’s always causing a stir on social media with his AI-like visuals and impeccable fashion sense that has landed him luxury brand ambassadorship deals with Celine, Bvlgari, and Louis Vuitton. So, who really is Jeffrey Ngai and how has he become Hong Kong’s hottest new icon in just two years since his debut? Let’s take you through ten interesting facts about him.
From his leading role in the 2022 TV drama I Swim, co-starring MIRROR member Edan Lui to dropping the chart-breaking single To Our Dreams alongside Cantopop legend Sammi Cheng – Jeffrey Ngai’s body of work continues to grow as he builds on his success. If you’ve been following the artist for a while or have just been introduced to his body of work, here’s an up-close-and-personal account of his journey you don’t want to miss. Keep reading.
10 facts about Hong Kong star Jeffrey Ngai you ought to know!
1. His breakout role was in the series Be a Better Man
While Jeffrey might’ve gotten his first leading role in the television drama I Swim, it was the 2020 reality show Be a Better Man that propelled him to stardom. The show had an interesting premise: it featured six boyfriends who received seven days of training on Lamma Island to become the ‘ideal boyfriend’. He appeared alongside his girlfriend Evelyn Chen, whom he has dated for over eight years.
His reality show streak further continued with two seasons of ViuTV’s Be On Game. The fun TV show saw members divided into different teams as they competed in a series of fun games.
2. Jeffrey Ngai never wanted to be a celebrity growing up
For many people in showbiz, stardom struck them by chance and Jeffrey is one of them. In a conversation with BT Luxe, the actor said, “Growing up, I never wanted to be a celebrity.” He added that he always dreamt of opening his own cafe. With a penchant for art, Jeffrey always imagined that he would create a beautiful gallery area where people could admire his artwork over a cup of coffee and have a chill day. But as fate would have it, he landed in showbiz and we’re glad!
3. He’s in a steady relationship with Evelyn Chen, his now manager
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Jeffrey started dating Evelyn Chen long before he entered showbiz. Even during his initial foray into entertainment, Jeffrey was concerned about the kind of impact it would have on their relationship. Thankfully, his fears were allayed when he was offered a spot on Be a Better Man as a couple with Evelyn. “The producers told me we could go on the show as a couple, and that really put me at ease,” he told BT Luxe.
Jeffrey recounts while working with a partner can be tricky, they turned it into a growing experience. They’ve learnt how to separate business from personal lives, always trying to find the right way to handle things as they come.
4. The star reportedly spent over HKD 100,000 for his pop debut
Money might not be able to buy you happiness, but it can definitely put you on the path to success. According to a Sohu report (via MSN), Jeffrey made a big investment when he decided to enter the music scene. For outsourcing people to write, produce, and film a music video for his pop debut, the artist apparently spent a whopping HKD 100,000. And it all seems to have paid off. His debut single, The First Fan, was a major hit.
5. Jeffrey’s the top pick for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, YSL, and Tiffany
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The star has appeared in a number of advertisements for cosmetics brands Lancôme, Nars and Valentino Beauty. If you look at Jeffrey Ngai’s Instagram, you’ll spot multiple collaboration posts with luxury powerhouses like Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton and YSL Beauty. Brands are leveraging his captivating allure and unique appeal as well as the way he connects with the audience.
He caused quite a stir on social media after gracing the Louis Vuitton Men’s spring/summer 2024 fashion show in Paris at his fashionable best. You could see him mingling with A-listers like JJ Lin, Song Joong-ki, Got7’s Jackson Wang and Bam Bam.
6. He’s often compared to actor Edison Chen for their uncanny resemblance
With his versatility and natural on-screen charisma, Jeffrey Ngai is often compared to actor Edison Chen. Netizens keep digging for similarities between the two Hong Kong celebrities, be it for their filmography, fashion or personal lives.
7. He has collaborated with Cantopop queen Sammi Cheng
When you get to work with Hong Kong’s biggest musical icons so early on in your career, you’re doing something right. Jeffrey collaborated with Cantopop queen Sammi Cheng on her 2023 single To Our Dreams. The opportunity came as a ‘surprise’ to Jeffrey as at that time, he hadn’t released any music, the artist told BT Luxe. He added,” I later found out she’d heard me sing on a show I was on.”
8. The Hong Kong star actually has Dutch-Indonesian roots
Despite his Chinese name and overall appearance, Jeffrey actually has both Indonesian and Dutch ancestry. This makes him a celebrity of mixed heritage. Coming to his childhood, did you know that Jeffrey grew up loving food and was a chubby child just like MIRROR member Keung To? However, he lost this puppy fat by the time he reached secondary school. Eventually, he was scouted by a modelling agency at the age of 17.
9. He grew up listening to Jacky Cheung and Eason Chen
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Jeffrey’s musical side was cultivated early on in childhood by his father and brother. Thanks to them, he grew up listening to and crooning songs by Jacky Cheung and Eason Chen. “It was as if our home was a karaoke booth,” he told BT Luxe. Given his love for music and amazing discography so far, we can’t wait for the star to drop his first album.
10. A promising star who’s already bagging notable awards
Jeffrey most recently won the Gold Award for the ‘Best Male Rookie’ at the 2023 Top Ten Chinese Gold Songs Awards. Sponsored by RTHK, these awards are one of the main C-pop music awards in Hong Kong. Tasting such meteoric success with each project, we can’t wait for what Jeffrey has in store for us next.
(Hero and feature image credit: jeffreyngai/ Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is Jeffrey Ngai of mixed heritage?
Yes, Jeffrey Ngai has Dutch and Indonesian roots.
- Why is Jeffrey Ngai so popular?
Jeffrey Ngai is a rising Hong Kong celebrity, best known for his roles in shows like Be a Better Man and I Swim.
Kriti Nayyar
Digital writer, Wellness, Culture, Astrology, Tech
Kriti is a stay-at-home dog mama, whose knack for telling interesting stories keeps her erstwhile monotonous life sane. A literature & journalism degree holder, you'll find her binging on Agatha Christie novels while critiquing the everyday state of affairs. On Kriti's seldom social outings, she's seen devouring coffee sangria with appetizing bread on the side.
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