HK star Samantha Ko once had only RM309 in her early showbiz years
Hong Kong actress Samantha Ko recently opened up about the financial struggles she faced during the early stages of her career. She recounted a time when she had only RM309 in her bank account and dealt with damaging, false tabloid rumors about her personal life.
Why it matters
The story highlights the often-hidden financial and emotional pressures faced by celebrities during their rise to fame, as well as the impact of tabloid culture.
Hong Kong actress Samantha Ko is one of the city's most recognisable television stars of the modern era.
Since making her acting debut in 2010, the 39-year-old has built an impressive portfolio, starring in dramas including Outbound Love (2014), Love As A Predatory Affair (2016), Battle Of The Seven Sisters (2021) and more.
She reached a career high in January 2024 when she won Best Supporting Actress at the TVB Anniversary Awards for her performance in the hit drama The Queen Of News (2023).
But behind her success lies a difficult journey, marked by challenges that even made her consider walking away from showbiz at one point.
In a recent interview with HK01, Ko revealed she had no income while competing in the 2008 Miss Hong Kong pageant, where she eventually finished in the top five.
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