Hong Kong singer-actress Charlene Choi was unable to hold back her tears while recounting a childhood memory.
In a recent episode of the Chinese variety show Youth Periplous Season 5, Choi shared that her mother would take her to a western diner after ballet lessons when she was younger.
While this memory used to be a source of joy in the past, it gradually became “upsetting” as she matured.
“My family wasn’t rich, but my mum would let me order food there. While I happily ate, my mum would only have a few bites from my plate,” the 41-year-old said tearfully.
Expressing regret whenever she looked back on this memory, Choi said that she should have been more considerate.
“I would think about why I didn’t notice this when I was young?
“I was so focused on myself that I didn’t realise my mum didn’t order anything or herself. I never even thought to say, ‘You should eat too’,” she added.
Despite their modest means, Choi’s parents always showered her with affection.
In an interview with Hong Kong media, Choi, who’s part of the Cantopop duo Twins, recalled a time she wanted to perm her hair, despite her dad insisting that they couldn’t afford it.
While she eventually received the money, she discovered years later that her dad had pawned his gold chain to fund her salon visit.
These experiences, Choi said, has taught her to treat her parents better.
She also learned to be more thrifty and stop spending out of her means.
