The acting scene in Hong Kong is famously competitive, even for well-established stars.
Actor Benjamin Yuen has earned his share of accolades in the industry, winning three TVB Anniversary Awards – including one for Most Popular Male Character – and two TVB Star Awards Malaysia.
At the height of his career, Yuen was a constant presence on screen, filming up to three dramas a year, alongside numerous variety show appearances.
Despite his achievements, the 43-year-old has been relatively absent from TVB projects in recent years, appearing in only two dramas in 2024 – No Room For Crime and Forensic Heroes 6.
Addressing this topic in a recent interview, Yuen said while he once enjoyed strong support from TVB, things changed following a management reshuffle in the company.
“It’s the company’s arrangement. There’s nothing I can do. This is my fate,” he said in an online programme hosted by lyricist Gary Yeung.
“After the executives were replaced and the entire system was changed, those who gave me jobs left, so I had to start from scratch,” he added.
Yuen shared that in recent years, he has only been able to take on one to two dramas annually, leading to a decline in his on-screen exposure.
The Stealing Seconds (2018) star also claimed that he isn’t the only artiste facing limited opportunities under the current system.
Yuen is just one of several who have spoken out about the shrinking number of roles available at the broadcaster.
In September last year, award-winning actress Sandra Ng, famously hailed as Hong Kong’s box office queen in 2005, revealed that she left TVB due to low pay.
Actress Ali Lee also told Hong Kong media last year that she left the broadcaster due to limited opportunities.
