Hong Kong lyricist and actor Peter Lai recently opened up about his personal life, including his relationship with his son from a previous marriage that ended in 1992.
In an interview with HK01, Lai, 75, described his son as someone who “mooches off the elderly”.
He revealed that he had spent over HK$100,000 (RM53,716) to fund the younger man’s four-year Traditional Chinese Medicine studies in Nanjing – only for the latter to fail to graduate.
“He was just messing around. I’d bet 99% that’s what happened, so he didn’t graduate. It was a waste of time and money… But whatever, that’s all in the past now,” he said.
Despite the disappointment, Lai continued to help his son pay off his credit card debts over the past two years. He cleared the full amount last month.
Lai then expressed frustration over his now 37-year-old son’s lifestyle, saying the latter spends his days playing video games and rarely speaks to him.
“He doesn’t even bother talking to me. We might as well be strangers,” he lamented.
Given the circumstances, it’s no surprise that Lai would feel lonely at times.
He shared that he’s now looking for a “soulmate” and is openly putting himself out there, with marriage in mind.
“If Lee Lung Kei can do it, why can’t I?” he said.
For context, Lee, 73, is a former TVB actor who made headlines in recent years for his relationship with his 37-year-old fiancee Chris Wong.
When asked if he’s concerned about his son’s future after he’s gone, Lai bluntly said his son can fend for himself.
“If I’m gone, he can sleep under a bridge. He’s not going to die. He can just apply for public housing or something.”
Lai is regarded as part of the pioneer generation of Cantopop lyricists in Hong Kong.
He has written songs for some of the city’s biggest stars – including Anita Mui, Leslie Cheung, Alan Tam and more.
