Kara Hui Ying-Hung, a renowned Hong Kong actress, was born in Shandong, China, but her early life took a dramatic turn when her family relocated to Hong Kong in 1966.
At the tender age of 14, she abandoned her formal education to work at nightclubs, struggling to make ends meet. The family's fortunes took a devastating hit when they lost their savings, courtesy of her father's business acquaintances.
As a result, Hui, her mother, and siblings were forced to reside in the poor shanty town of Rennie's Mill, where they eked out a living by peddling goods on the streets of Hong Kong.
Her fortunes changed when she was discovered by film director Chia-Liang Liu, who cast her in the 1976 film Challenge of the Masters. This marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career, during which she worked on numerous films directed by Liu Chia-Liang.
In 1975, Hui signed with Shaw Brothers Studios, a prestigious film production company, and went on to star in over 40 action movies. Her critically acclaimed performance in the 1981 classic My Young Auntie earned her the very first Best Actress Award at the first Hong Kong Film Awards in 1982.
When Shaw Studios closed down in 1985, Hui's career transition was seamless, and she continued to take on more serious roles, enjoying immense success. She won numerous awards, including the Hong Kong Film Awards, Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards, Changchun Film Festival, Pacific Meridian, Asian Film Awards, and Golden Horse Awards.
In 2009, she portrayed a mother in the film At the End of Daybreak, earning her the Hong Kong Film Awards, and in 2014, she won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Yeung Feng in Rigor Mortis at the 33rd Hong Kong Film Awards.
Throughout her illustrious career, Hui has acted in an astonishing 138 films and continues to be an active and respected figure in the Hong Kong film industry.