HK star Andy Lau finally joins social media; Douyin account has more than 45 million followers

Andy Lau has said in past media interviews that he felt there was no warm interaction by posting words on social-media platforms. Photo: Filepic

Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau has opened his first social-media account after 40 years in the entertainment industry.

His official fan club Andy World Club announced on Jan 27 that he has opted for Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

The account attracted more than 12 million followers before the announcement, and shot past 45 million after the news was made public.

For his first video post, the 59-year-old singer-actor re-enacted an iconic scene from the crime movie Infernal Affairs (2002).

The scene had Lau, playing a mole in the police force, facing off against an undercover cop in the triad played by actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai.

In the video, Lau was seen raising his hands, as a voice asked,"Where are the things I want?"

He then turned around and replied: "You may not have brought the things I want too."

Lau continued in the video later: "Give me a chance. I have no choice in the past, but I want to open a Douyin account now."

He then smiled and spoke to the camera, asking viewers to follow his account.

He posted another two videos later.

In the first, he replayed roles from two of his movies, A World Without Thieves (2004) and Three Kingdoms: Resurrection Of The Dragon (2008). The second video was of him holding a drinking glass, asking fans to follow him.

Lau's account has caught the attention of several artistes, including Eric Tsang, Joey Yung, Ada Choi, Michael Miu and Cherrie Ying.

Known to value his privacy, the actor usually interacts with his fans via Andy World Club.

He has said in past media interviews that he did not even like talking on the phone and felt there was no warm interaction by posting words on social-media platforms. The interactive features on Douyin may have changed his mind. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network