Hong Kong actor Anthony Chan, drummer of Cantopop band The Wynners, recently opened up about the massive debt once faced by the band’s guitarist Kenny Bee.
In 2002, Bee was forced to declare bankruptcy following the collapse of the property market during the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
It’s reported that the 71-year-old amassed debts exceeding HK$250mil (RM138.2mil) after taking out huge loans to invest in real estate on the advice of his ex-wife Teresa Cheung Siu-wai, whom he divorced in 1999.
“I’m not very good at handling money matters, so I failed and ran into debt,” he said at that time.
In a recent interview with Hong Kong media, Chan revealed that he and fellow Wynners bandmates – lead vocalist Alan Tam, bassist Danny Yip and guitarist Bennett Pang – had tried to offer Bee support during his financial crisis.
However, they found themselves unable to assist much as the debt was far beyond what the band could collectively handle.
“If it was six figures, I could’ve handled it myself. Seven figures, maybe we could help together.
“But eight figures was beyond our capacity,” the 72-year-old said, before jokingly adding, “If it’s nine figures, we’d hang up. We wouldn’t be able to help.”
Chan also suggested that the band perform more shows to help Bee.
However, the latter thought it would burden the group and chose to face the debt on his own.
According to the South China Morning Post, Bee’s bankruptcy conditions were stringent: His income had to go directly to creditors, and he was prohibited from dining in restaurants or paying for taxis.
The singer was discharged from bankruptcy in 2006.
