On 20/7, Tse Ting-fung and Tse Ting-ting, the artist's two children, announced his passing. They did not disclose specific details of his final health condition. Tse Ting-ting wrote on her personal page: "Father passed away peacefully in the arms of his family. He went through a period of declining health, departing calmly after a brilliant and rich life."

"A brilliant and rich life" is also the phrase Hong Kong media used to describe Tse Yin. As an actor, he was dubbed the "first-generation idol" of the Chinese entertainment industry.

Artist Tse Yin. Photo: Jet

Artist Tse Yin. Photo: Jet

Born in 1936 into a well-to-do family, Tse Yin had the opportunity for education. However, as a young man, he preferred leisure over academics and was expelled from school. Introduced by friends, he enrolled in an acting class in 1952, subsequently joining the film industry. By 1956, the artist gained fame with the film "999 an mang", becoming one of Hong Kong's highest-paid stars.

Tse Yin's classic role was Long Tu, the "god of gamblers", in "King Of Gambler" (1996). He portrayed a man who falls from grace, is framed, and serves seven years in prison. After his release, Long Tu reclaims control of Shanghai's casinos and banks within seven days. Tse Yin's composed and charismatic demeanor captivated both critics and audiences.

His filmography also included "Tieu Thap Nhat Lang", "Thien vuong chi vuong", "Thien vuong quan anh hoi", "Anh hung xa dieu", "Tuyet son phi ho", "Thien Long Bat Bo", and "Doi bong Thieu Lam". Tse Yin's final film was "Time" (2021), which depicted the lives of the elderly. This work earned him the distinction of being the oldest person to win the Best Actor award in the history of the Hong Kong Film Awards (Kim Tuong).

Actor Tse Yin at the airport in 2018. Photo: Sina

Actor Tse Yin at the airport in 2018. Photo: Sina

Tse Ting-fung shared that he had seen his father troubled and heartbroken, yet Tse Yin always appeared on screen with a perfect facade. According to HK01, his elegant and dashing image remained with him even into his 80s. The artist often wore dark glasses and luxury brand suits. Yoka once hailed Tse Yin as Hong Kong showbiz's most stylish veteran, noting his liberal style conveyed the message of "old in age, young in spirit."

According to 163.com, Tse Yin's romantic life was even more colorful than depicted in novels or films. When his name was mentioned, many audiences associated him with terms like "playboy", "charming", "passionate", and "roaming with younger women". While acknowledging his flamboyant nature, the actor stated that when in love, he was loyal, dedicating all his emotions to that person and prioritizing their interests. Thus, he insisted he was not a "degenerate".

Josephine Siao (left) and Jenny Hsia, prominent figures in Tse Yin's life. Photo: Mingpao

Josephine Siao (left) and Jenny Hsia, prominent figures in Tse Yin's life. Photo: Mingpao

Most of the women in Tse Yin's life were renowned beauties of their time. His first publicly acknowledged relationship was with actress Ka Ling. In the 1960s, they co-starred in numerous works such as "Hoa hoa cong tu", "Hoan hy oan gia", and "The non hen bien", becoming a beloved on-screen couple.

Ka Ling desired early marriage, but Tse Yin was not ready for commitment. She tried to provoke him by mentioning another suitor, but Tse Yin encouraged her to date others if she wished. Ka Ling subsequently retired from acting and married Yao Yu-lin, a Thai-Chinese businessman, settling in Thailand. On Ifeng, Ka Ling once said: "Tse Yin was a good friend, perfect for having fun and enjoying life. Tse Yin was also a wonderful lover. But he was loved by many women, which would make him an insecure husband."

Tse Yin's romantic entanglements consistently stirred the entertainment world. In the 1970s, he publicly dated Josephine Siao, a star 11 years his junior. Their romance was short-lived, and the artist later revealed that Josephine Siao was the first girlfriend to proactively leave him.

At 38, Tse Yin married top Taiwanese star Jenny Hsia. They divorced due to geographical distance and work commitments. In 2020, Jenny Hsia stated that if she could choose again, she would not divorce and would follow Tse Yin's arrangements. In their later years, they maintained a friendship, occasionally visiting each other.

Tse Yin and Deborah Lee with their young children Tse Ting-fung and Tse Ting-ting. Photo: On

Tse Yin and Deborah Lee with their young children Tse Ting-fung and Tse Ting-ting. Photo: On

In 1979, Tse Yin married Deborah Lee, Miss Hong Kong 1973. They had two children, Tse Ting-fung and Tse Ting-ting, before divorcing in 1995. Deborah Lee currently lives with her second husband, Jiang Yao-cheng, a former Singaporean pilot.

Deborah Lee also maintained a good relationship with her ex-husband. On one occasion, she and her husband met Tse Yin at an event in Hong Kong, and Deborah Lee hugged and kissed Tse Yin in front of Jiang Yao-cheng. On.com reported that her husband was comfortable with this act and showed no jealousy, explaining that it was permissible because her ex-husband was a respectable man.

In his twilight years, Tse Yin again drew public attention when he openly dated Coco, a woman 49 years his junior. On her social media page in May, Coco revealed she first met the actor in 2005 and was captivated by his dashing and elegant appearance.

Coco was happy with Tse Yin and felt no age gap. While living together in Hong Kong, Tse Yin would wake early to drink coffee and prepare breakfast for Coco when she woke up.

Tse Yin and Coco at an entertainment event. Photo: HK01

Tse Yin and Coco at an entertainment event. Photo: HK01

Noticing his girlfriend's shyness and limited life experience, Tse Yin enrolled her in courses in England to broaden her horizons. They were together for 12 years. During that period, Tse Yin told Coco that if she found a good partner, he would let her go for her happiness. The couple separated in 2018, and Tse Yin gave Coco 20 million HKD (over 2.5 million USD) to support her life.

Coco is now in business and maintains a private life. She has never regretted loving Tse Yin. The model stated: "He was not only a benefactor and a guide for me, but he also cared for and loved me like family. I am grateful to him."

Following Tse Yin's passing, the keyword "How handsome was young Tse Yin" entered Weibo's list of most-viewed topics. The keyword "Tse Yin passed away" garnered over one billion views and hundreds of thousands of comments.

Actor Jackie Chan (left) and Tse Yin. Photo: Weibo

Actor Jackie Chan (left) and Tse Yin. Photo: Weibo

Actor Jackie Chan posted a photo with Tse Yin, remembering his colleague: "I was on set when I heard the news of Fourth Brother's (referring to Tse Yin) passing, and my heart ached. We had known each other for so long. When I was still a stuntman, he was already a big star and took great care of me. Later, we went through many things together. Remembering them today, they are all unforgettable memories. As Ting-fung said, no matter what, in our hearts, he will always embody a dashing, elegant, and carefree spirit."

Nghinh Xuan