Hong Kong stars Ali Lee (left) and Lai Lok-yi mark their first on-screen reunion since 2018 in the Malaysian drama, 'The Exiled'. Photos: Handout
When Hong Kong actors Lai Lok-yi and Ali Lee agreed to headline the Malaysian drama The Exiled, they did so on faith alone.
There was no script, character breakdown or even a full premise.
All they were told was that the story would plunge them into the murky world of gangsters, and somehow, that was enough.
In an interview with StarLifestyle, both stars said their decision came down to trust.
Lai, who has filmed multiple variety programmes in Malaysia in recent years, recalled the offer arriving during a casual dinner with a local production team.
“They told me they were preparing to film a new drama and asked if I was interested.
“Although there was only a simple outline, I trusted them and knew they wouldn’t throw me into something unsuitable,” the 45-year-old said.
He then contacted his longtime friend Lee, who signed on almost instantly.
“The whole decision-making process took less than 15 minutes,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lee admitted she hesitated at first, wary of the lack of details, but her confidence in Lai outweighed the uncertainty.
“He has been my friend for so many years and is involved in so many aspects of production.
“He knows whether a story is good or not. I trust his judgement,” the 44-year-old actress said.
'The Exiled' marks Lai and Lee's long-first on-screen reunion since 2018.Beyond trust, The Exiled offered opportunities neither star wanted to pass up.
For Lai, it was the chance to work on a fully Malaysian production.
“I wanted to see the workflow here, collaborate with the local talents and explore what doors it might open,” he said.
For Lee, curiosity was the driving force.
“This is my first time filming a project in Malaysia, so I wanted to experience something new,” she said.
Reunited on screen
Filming for The Exiled took place across Malaysia for over two months in July, marking Lai and Lee’s first on-screen reunion since their hit 2018 TVB drama Who Wants A Baby?.
Seeing each other again on set was pleasant for Lee, who noted how much Lai had evolved.
“He’s running his own company now, negotiating projects and has really matured,” she said.
“Back in 2018, he had just become a father and now, he’s a seasoned father of two.”
Lai shares two sons – aged three and eight – with former Miss Hong Kong contestant Nicole Lee, whom he married in 2014.
Lee and Lai were in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month to promote their latest Malaysian drama. Photo: Yap Chee Hong/The StarWhen asked how Lee has changed, Lai chuckled and answered: “She hasn’t changed much in both appearance and personality. But of course, we have both gained more life experience.”
Working with someone so familiar, Lai added, came with pros and cons.
“The downside is that we can predict each other too well, which isn’t always great for acting.
“But the upside is that the boundaries are more flexible, and you can fully commit to a scene without worrying about making the other person uncomfortable,” he said.
Back in action
The Exiled sees Lee playing Bing Jie, a woman desperate to bury the bloody legacy of her late husband, the former leader of the Yi He triad.
Lai stars as Han Ge, the loyal right-hand man determined to protect what remains of the gang and guide its members into a clean slate.
But as new threats emerge, both sides are forced to confront the dark reality: How far will they go to protect the people they call family, when those very people may be the danger?
The 15-episode series also features local talents Henley Hii, Elyn Leong, Kimmy Low and more.
To embody Han Ge, Lai underwent strict physical training, shedding over 5kg in the process.
Lai shed over 5kg while preparing for his role as Han Ge.Thanks to his background in action dramas like Always Ready (2005), Ruse Of Engagement (2014) and ICAC Investigators (2016), slipping back into the genre felt familiar.
“I haven’t done many gangster- themed projects in years, so it was refreshing to tackle a heavier role again.
“When I was younger, I enrolled in advanced fight training at TVB, so I already knew the basics needed for The Exiled,” he said.
While he acknowledged his combat skills weren’t as sharp as before, Lai refused to use a stunt double.
“Taking a break is fine, but using a stunt double isn’t a good look. My Malaysian co-stars are skilled fighters too, so I shouldn’t slack off,” he said firmly.
Since kickstarting his acting career in 2003, Lai has made a name for himself through dramas such as Glittering Days (2006), Come Home Love (2012-2015), The Tofu War (2017) and more.
On what keeps him going after two decades in the industry, the actor said it’s continuously expanding his creative horizons.
“I recently tried directing and started getting involved in scriptwriting and producing too.
“This industry is very fast-paced, and I’m eager to learn new things like video editing and artificial intelligence,” he added.
Finding her edge
For Lee, stepping into Bing Jie’s world meant navigating multiple challenges – the biggest being language.
Despite her 12-year experience with TVB, her former management agency, The Exiled marks her first time acting in Mandarin.
“Performing in a language other than Cantonese was a new challenge.
“Even though the director reassured me that my Mandarin wasn’t too bad, I often stumbled over the pronunciation and often made everything sound unnatural,” she said.
Lee plays Bing Jie, a woman who wants to bury the legacy of her late husband, who was a gang leader.Thankfully, Lee pulled through after receiving coaching from her co-stars and members of the production team.
When asked if she feels more confident with the language now, Lee – who made her showbiz debut as a television host in 2008 – admitted she’s still working on it.
“Although I’m not entirely confident yet, this experience has definitely given me courage to try,” she said.
Language aside, Bing Jie allowed Lee to explore a much darker, more complex emotional territory.
Having played mostly “lighter” roles in the past, embodying a character with such authority and gravitas proved to be challenging for the actress.
“I’m not naturally imposing, so creating that presence requires effort,” she added.
To prepare, Lee – who has starred in dramas like Legal Mavericks (2017), Big White Duel (2019) and Beauty And The Boss (2021) – studied various powerful female characters.
“Some of them were from Batman,” she said, before continuing, “I observed how they carried themselves and drew inspiration from their portrayals to shape Bing Jie.”
Starting a new chapter
Approaching the final minutes of our interview, both stars reflected on what lies ahead.
Lee, who left TVB in December 2024 after 12 years, said she’s eager to redefine her career on her own terms.
In a previous interview with Hong Kong media, the actress revealed that she terminated her contract as she couldn’t reach a consensus with the broadcaster.
Reports indicate that she left due to limited opportunities.
During our conversation, Lee said she’s currently focusing on roles that challenge her and allow her to grow.
“What matters most to me is whether a character has depth. A role needs substance and must give me room to perform,” she added.
Lee has several projects lined up for next year but is keeping details under wraps.
“I hope that in 2026, everyone will see the fruits of my labour,” she said.
On the other hand, Lai is taking a more flexible approach to his career, refusing to plan strictly as the entertainment industry is “too unpredictable”.
“I might shoot a series or two and then take time off to be with my two sons,” he shared.
Lai said his current goal is simple – stay adaptable and stay grounded.
“Trying to force things rarely works,” he added.
New episodes of The Exiled premiere Sundays at 9.30pm on Astro AEC (Ch 306). It is also available on Astro Go, On Demand and Sooka the same day.
