HK star Julian Cheung says he once smashed a plate because he was sick of family arguing

Hong Kong star Julian Cheung says that he seldom loses his temper but can get very scary when he does. Photo: Julian Cheung/Weibo

Hong Kong singer-actor Julian Cheung has opened up about a side of him that rarely comes out.

In a recent episode of Singaporean talk show Hear U Out, Cheung – known for being calm and composed – revealed that he once smashed his plate on the floor as he was tired of listening to his wife, actress Anita Yuen, and their 16-year-old son Morton arguing.

Recounting the incident that happened during the lockdown period, the What Is Love singer said: "He (Morton) didn't want to eat but (my wife) kept on insisting.

"I felt really annoyed so I smashed my plate on the floor and said, 'Let' s all not eat.'

"I didn't know what to do. I just wanted to enjoy my meal in peace."

Since the family of three were at the home of his makeup artist, Cheung, 52, added that the hosts cleaned up his mess. That was the last time he had an outburst.

Cheung also said during the interview that he seldom loses his temper and can get "very scary" when he does.

"I'm a very extreme person. I don't lose my temper 90% of the time. It's just that remaining 10%. If I really want to hold something against someone, it often has to do with principles.

"Even after Anita has apologised, I wouldn't let certain things go and she got really scared. It's not all the time that (side of me) comes out though," he added.

In the episode, Cheung also talked about the differences in temper between him and Yuen, 52, who – according to him – was more feisty.

"She's a tough person. She might have excess heat in the liver in traditional Chinese medicine terms," he joked. "She flares up easily and often loses her temper when driving."

Cheung said that he usually sits quietly and watches whenever his wife has an outburst.

Nevertheless, the Cold Blood Warm Heart (1996) actor believes that he was "destined" to end up with someone like Yuen.

"If I had a gentle wife, I might not be who I am today. You need to complement each other.

"It's impossible for us both to be super gentle and we can't both be too bad tempered either. If one person is tough, the other has to be soft," he said.

Cheung and Yuen tied the knot in 2001 after a nearly 10-year courtship. Their son was born in 2007.