TVB Actor Raymond Cho Moving To China For At Least 6 Months After Seeing A 70% Drop In Income
The pandemic has hit many artistes in Hongkong hard. But for TVB actor Raymond Cho, 53, things got so bad he has to “run away” from home.
Before the pandemic, Raymond, who won Best Supporting Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards in 2016, was a highly sought-after artiste with endorsements constantly knocking on his door.
Raymond with his wife Elaine and their kids Brandon and Erin
However, he revealed in a recent interview that he’s just getting by these days.
He shared that in the past two years, apart from acting, there was pretty much nothing else for him to do. And so his income “fell by about 70 per cent” compared to when his career was at its peak.
Yes, 70 per cent.
So how does he support his family? According to Raymond, who has been married to his wife Elaine for 15 years, he has had to dig into his savings. “We’re still doing okay for now,” he said.
Raymond with his father-in-law David Chiang
To make sure that things improve from hereon, as well as plan for the future of their two children, Brandon, 14, and Erin, 11, the actor has decided to relocate to China for at least six months because of work opportunities. He has even found a house there through a friend and was set to leave in March.
But then Omicron hit Hongkong, resulting in the implementation of strict pandemic regulations.
Raymond is currently shooting new TVB drama, Drug Breaker (working title), alongside Moses Chan, Nancy Wu, and his best friend, Edwin Siu. Filming was supposed to wrap in March, just in time for his departure but unfortunately filming has now been delayed.
Raymond shared that his plans to work in China are most likely going to be pushed back as well.
“And it’s not like I can leave when I want to,” he said. “The quarantine hotels and tickets to the Guangdong province are all fully booked now. Of course I would love to go there as soon as possible so that I can explore new opportunities.”
Things are looking up already
According to reports, the actor invests in businesses in China regularly with his pals like Timmy Hung and Michael Tong.
“I have two companies there, including one that deals with children’s products and beverages that I share with badminton player Xie Xingfang,” he said. “However, I haven’t been involved much the past two years, so I feel it’s time for me to help out, at least to meet clients and find more business opportunities for them.”
Lucky for him, brands are already knocking on his door even before he’s in China.
“To be able to make a living is good enough,” he said. “Even though I’ve had no jobs apart from acting, but I know that my situation is not that bad already. There are some artistes who are really just sitting there waiting for the day to pass slowly. I’m considered lucky!”
Photos: hk01/ chinapress/ tvb.com/ Raymond Cho's Weibo
