HK star Law Kar Ying, 79, reflects on life and death: 'I have about 7 or 8 years left'

Law Kar Ying said he has long accepted the inevitability of death. Photos: China Press

Hong Kong singer-actor Law Kar Ying, who has battled cancer multiple times, has opened up about his perspective on life and mortality.

In a recent interview with Hong Kong media, the 79-year-old – who turns 80 on Sept 22 – said he never imagined he would reach that age, noting that most of the men in his family never lived that long.

"My father passed away at 66. My ninth uncle died at 69, and another died in his 40s. My eldest uncle lived until 71," he said.

Law added that reaching this age while still having the energy and memory to enjoy life was something he was already grateful for.

Last year, the Summer Snow (1995) star revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time and was taking medication to suppress the spread of the cancer cells.

Rather than allowing the news to bring him down, the opera singer said he is choosing to make the most of the time he has left.

"By my calculations, I have about seven or eight years left, so I should work hard and make the most of it," he said, adding that time waits for no one.

Law stressed that he has no plans to follow in the footsteps of his wife, Hong Kong diva Liza Wang, who previously shared her plans to retire in three years.

Instead, he wants to spend the remaining years of his career making more quality films and helping to preserve and pass on the art of Cantonese opera.

“I told her that she can retire if she wants, but I’ll continue working for another five years before doing so,” he said.

Law – who married Wang, 79, in 2009 – added that he rarely discusses life and death with his wife, as he does not want to affect her mood.

While he has long accepted the inevitability of death, Law admitted that the thought of his wife leaving remains difficult.

“Hopefully, I’ll be the one to go first,” he said, adding that his greatest wish is for Wang to live a happy and healthy life.

For the record, Law was diagnosed with stage three liver cancer in 2004 and had to undergo liver removal surgery to save his life. With the support of Wang, he remained optimistic and ultimately overcame the disease. 

In 2014, a routine medical checkup revealed a 2cm tumour in Law's liver. He was also diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019.