Recently， Hong Kong director Lee Lik Chi met with Lee Kin-yan， the actor known for his role as “Ruhua，” for tea and shared an update on his condition.
The video shows that Lee Kin-yan appears noticeably thinner than before， but his spirits are high， and he is smiling and able to engage in simple conversations.
Director Lee Lik Chi stated that Lee Kin-yan is actively undergoing rehabilitation and hopes to return to the screen. “In 2019， he suffered a stroke that caused paralysis on one side of his body. After brain surgery and long-term physical therapy， he can now stand and communicate with people simply. Although he has lost some weight， his complexion looks good.”
Lee Lik Chi was a preferred director for Stephen Chow， with representative works including “Flirting Scholar，” “King of Comedy，” “Shaolin Soccer，” and “The God of Cookery.” These films are celebrated for their unique blend of comedy and Stephen Chow’s distinct directorial style， which often pushed the boundaries of Hong Kong comedy and left a lasting cultural impact.
When “Ruhua” is mentioned， the classic image of someone picking their nose and then smiling comes to mind immediately. However， many might find the name “Lee Kin-yan” less familiar. This is a common phenomenon in the entertainment industry where character personas can overshadow the actors themselves， especially when the character is as iconic and memorable as “Ruhua.”
Since portraying this classic character in a series of Stephen Chow’s films such as “Flirting Scholar，” “Hail the Judge，” and “Fight Back to School V，” the “Ruhua” label has firmly stuck with Lee Kin-yan for over twenty years. This enduring association highlights the significant impact of his performance and Stephen Chow’s ability to create unforgettable characters that resonate with audiences across generations.
“It’s basically a codename， but I am still grateful for this name.” Lee Kin-yan’s pragmatic view reflects an acceptance of his most famous role， acknowledging its contribution to his career and public recognition.
Lee Kin-yan and Stephen Chow were secondary school classmates and even desk mates. In Lee Kin-yan’s memory， Stephen Chow didn’t show much comedic talent at the time; “he was rather quiet， while I was more humorous.” This recollection offers a glimpse into their early personal dynamics before their celebrated collaboration in film.
However， Lee Kin-yan admired Stephen Chow’s impressive imitations of Bruce Lee， noting， “Whether it was punching or kicking， he was our idol.” Lee Kin-yan also had his own strengths – he was very athletic and a prominent figure in school， having been a member of the Hong Kong U-18 football team. This background in sports would later prove instrumental in his film career.
Lee Kin-yan revealed that many might not know he was the “football coach” for the film “Shaolin Soccer，” specifically responsible for teaching the actors football and dribbling techniques. “Because many actions relied on special effects， people who haven’t played football wouldn’t know how to perform them.” His role as a football consultant underscores the depth of talent and diverse skills that contribute to the realism and success of such action-packed films.
It is reported that Lee Kin-yan has three children. His eldest daughter is 31 and married， his second daughter is 27 and a psychologist， and his youngest son is 24 and works in a government unit. All of them are pursuing careers they enjoy. “They are all very beautiful. Some friends have asked my children to change careers， but they are unwilling.” He expresses contentment with his current life situation， finding fulfillment in his family’s happiness and independence.
