Hong Kong movie star Simon Yam Tat Wah has won praise after quietly paying for a fan's meal following a chance encounter at a restaurant.
While the 71-year-old is known for his acclaimed film career, he is equally admired for his humility and warmth.
Recounting the experience in a Threads post on July 15, the fan said he and a friend first spotted Yam while the actor was parking his car.
"As we were looking at him, he gave us a thumbs up, so we knew we hadn't mistaken him for someone else," he wrote.
They crossed paths again in a lift, where the fan told Yam he had been rewatching the 2005 thriller Election, in which the actor played Lam Lok, chairman of the Wo Shing Society triad.
The two chatted briefly, with Yam mentioning that he was on his way to meet friends for dinner.
"When we got out, I asked if we could take a photo together, and he happily obliged," the fan wrote.
As it turned out, they were headed to the same restaurant.
By coincidence, the fan and his friend were seated just outside the private dining room where Yam and his companions were dining.
"As he walked past, Brother Wah casually grabbed one of my fish cakes and ate it! I almost scolded him, but let it slide," the fan joked.
The real surprise came after they had finished their meal.
As they approached the counter to pay, they were told that Yam had already settled the bill.
"Here I was thinking you owed me for that fish cake you ate, but it turns out I was the one who ate an entire meal on your tab," the fan wrote.
He ended the post with a playful nod to Election, writing: "The Wo Shing Society is in action. Lok Sir, you’re the best!"
The post has since gone viral, racking up more than 20,300 likes at press time.
Netizens flooded the comments with praise for Yam, describing him as humble and approachable.
Others also shared their own encounters with the actor, recalling how down-to-earth he had been.
