Kara Wai

{{short description|Hong Kong actress}} {{family name hatnote|Wai|lang=Chinese}} {{More footnotes needed|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Kara Wai | honorific_suffix = [[Bronze Bauhinia Star|BBS]] | image = SI Twenty-First Annual Made in Hong Kong Film Festival 01.jpg | landscape =  | alt =  | caption = Wai at the USA Smithsonian Institution world premiere of ''[[Happiness (2016 film)|Happiness]]'' on 15 July 2016 | native_name = 惠英紅 | native_name_lang = zh | pronunciation = | birth_name =  | birth_date = | birth_place = [[British Hong Kong]] | death_date =  | death_place = | death_cause = | body_discovered = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates =  | burial_place =  | burial_coordinates =  | monuments = | nationality = | other_names = Kara Hui | citizenship = | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = actress | years_active = 1976–present | era = | employer = | organization = | agent =  | known_for = | notable_works =  | style = | height =  | television = | spouse =  | partner =  | children = | parents =  | mother =  | father =  | relatives = | family = [[Austin Wai]] (brother) | callsign = | awards = '''[[Changchun Film Festival]]''' '''Best Actress''' 2010 ''At the End of Daybreak'' {{awards|award=[[Hong Kong Film Awards]]|name='''[[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]''' 1982 ''[[My Young Auntie]]'' 2010 ''At the End of Daybreak'' 2017 ''[[Happiness (2016 film)|Happiness]]'' '''[[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]''' 2014 ''[[Rigor Mortis (film)|Rigor Mortis]]''}}{{awards|award=[[Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards]]|name='''Best Actress''' 2010 ''At the End of Daybreak''}}{{awards|award=[[Asian Film Awards]]|name='''[[Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]''' 2010 ''At the End of Daybreak''}}{{awards|award=[[Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards|Golden Horse Awards]]|name='''[[Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress|Best Leading Actress]]''' 2017 ''[[The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful]]'' '''[[Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]''' 2009 ''At the End of Daybreak''}}{{awards|award=[[Asian Television Awards]]|name='''[[Asian Television Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]''' 2017 ''[[Affairs of the Heart (film)|Affairs of the Heart]]''}} {{awards|award=[[TVB Anniversary Award]]|name= '''[[TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]''' 2019 ''[[The Defected]]''}} | website =  | module = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes | t = 惠英紅 | s = 惠英红 | p = Huì Yīng Hóng | j = Wai6 Jing1 Hung4 }} | module2 = | module3 = | module4 = | module5 = | module6 = | signature = | signature_size = | signature_alt = | footnotes = }} '''Kara Wai Ying-hung''' [[Bronze Bauhinia Star|BBS]] ({{Lang-zh|c=|s=惠英红|t=惠英紅|p=}}) is a [[Hong Kong people|Hong Kong]] actress best known internationally for her roles in [[wuxia]] films produced by the [[Shaw Brothers Studio]] in the 1970s and 1980s.

Wai has since portrayed a wide range of roles on screen and on television with much success. She is the inaugural and a three-time recipient of [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress]]. Her portrayal of a mother in the 2009 film ''[[At the End of Daybreak]]'' won her acting awards at the [[Hong Kong Film Awards]], [[Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards]], [[Changchun Film Festival]], [[Pacific Meridian]], [[Asian Film Awards]], and [[Golden Horse Awards]]. In following years, she went on to win multiple acting trophies throughout [[Asia-Pacific|Asia Pacific]] from film roles, making her one of the most celebrated Hong Kong actresses.

On 1 July 2018, she was awarded [[Bronze Bauhinia Star]] (BBS) by the Chief Executive of [[Hong Kong|Hong Kong Special Administration Region]], in recognition of her contribution to the Hong Kong film industry and acting performances.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201807/01/P2018063000485_287245_1_1530352737320.pdf |title=List of Awardees, page 27, 1 July 2018, HKSAR Press Release. Retrieved 1 July 2018 |access-date=2 July 2018 |archive-date=2 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702093339/http://gia.info.gov.hk/general/201807/01/P2018063000485_287245_1_1530352737320.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life== Born in [[British Hong Kong|Hong Kong]], she is the fourth oldest out of six children.<ref>{{Citation|title=▌深夜时谈 EP08 — 惠英紅 ▌|date=2 December 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1x0zqf2xWk| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211024/u1x0zqf2xWk| archive-date=2021-10-24|publisher=84 Hotspot|language=en|access-date=3 April 2020|trans-title=Late Night Chat EP08 — Kara Wai}}{{cbignore}}</ref> She is of [[Manchu people|Manchu]] descent. Her elder brother was [[Austin Wai]]. In her early years, Wai's family resided in the poor shanty town of [[Tiu Keng Leng|Rennie's Mill]]. She did not continue her education beyond completing primary school.<ref name="ReferenceA">[Be My Guest, Episode # 157, 20 March 2010]</ref> In her interview on ''[[Be My Guest (talk show)|Be My Guest]]'', Wai revealed her family lost their savings due to her father's business acquaintances.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> Left penniless, Wai's mother, herself, and her siblings were forced to peddle goods on the streets of Hong Kong. As a teen, she often sold gum and souvenirs in [[Wan Chai]] to sailors.<ref>{{Citation|title=惠英紅 Kara Wai {{!}} 甜蜜、虛幻，又刻骨銘心的初戀故事 {{!}} ELLE HK|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMcVNx2D8H0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211024/oMcVNx2D8H0| archive-date=2021-10-24|website=[[YouTube]]|publisher=Google, LLC|date=24 May 2019|language=en|access-date=1 April 2020|trans-title=Kara Wai {{!}} A sweet, illusory, and unforgettable first love story {{!}} ELLE HK}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/film/kara-hui-on-humble-beginnings-and-40-years-in-the-film-industry|title=Kara Hui (惠英紅) on humble beginnings and 40 years in the film industry|last=Tam|first=Arthur|date=3 March 2016|website=Time Out Hong Kong|language=en|access-date=1 April 2020|archive-date=15 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215113905/https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/film/kara-hui-on-humble-beginnings-and-40-years-in-the-film-industry|url-status=live}}</ref>

At the age of 14, she began taking dance lessons at the now defunct Miramar nightclub and [[Styles of Chinese martial arts#Geographical classifications|Northern style]] weaponry lessons from [[Donnie Yen]]'s mother, [[Bow-sim Mark]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.jaynestars.com/news/kara-hui-regrets-suicide-attempt-it-was-very-stupid/|title=Kara Hui Regrets Suicide Attempt: "It Was Very Stupid!"|website=JayneStars.com|publisher=Hong Kong Economic Times|language=en|access-date=3 April 2020}}</ref> Wai performed Chinese dance in a nightclub for three years from age 14 to 17.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jaynestars.com/news/kara-hui-regrets-suicide-attempt-it-was-very-stupid/|title=Kara Hui Regrets Suicide Attempt: "It Was Very Stupid!" – JayneStars.com}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Citation|title=Exclusive Kara Hui Interview Part 5 - Working With Liu Chia-Liang| date=29 March 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHBHxdoNI4E| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211024/BHBHxdoNI4E| archive-date=2021-10-24|language=en|access-date=2 April 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Director [[Chang Cheh]] is her godfather.<ref>{{Citation|title=Exclusive Kara Hui Interview Part 7 - Final Video| date=27 April 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8R3K9AQ3nQ| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211024/q8R3K9AQ3nQ| archive-date=2021-10-24|language=en|access-date=3 April 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 1999, she suffered from depression, and her career was at a low ebb. She attempted suicide at the age of 40.<ref name=":2" /> In 2003, with the help of friends and relatives, Wai began to recover.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In March 2021, Wai expressed her support for cotton produced in [[Xinjiang]] after several companies announced they will stop purchasing cotton from the region due to concerns over forced labour from [[Uyghurs]]; a move echoed by most Chinese celebrities.

==Career== ===1977–1987: Shaw Brothers Studio=== During the film shoot for ''[[Dirty Ho]]'' (1979), the lead actress quit due to the strain of the martial arts stunts. Wai was then an extra in the film. Director [[Liu Chia-Liang]] had seen Wai's audition tape for [[The Brave Archer|''The Brave Arche''r]] (1977) and decided to substitute her in as the lead actress. This was their first time working together. Impressed by her performance, Liu would go on to cast Wai in his other projects.<ref name=":1" />

Wai reached her career apex with ''[[My Young Auntie]]'' (1982), for which she earned the [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress|Award for Best Actress]] at the 1st [[Hong Kong Film Awards]].

Wai's last film with Shaw Brothers was ''[[The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter]]'' (1984).<ref>{{Citation|title=Exclusive Kara Hui Interview Part 3 - Favorite Role| date=15 March 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aef5fdYkEEg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211024/Aef5fdYkEEg| archive-date=2021-10-24|language=en|access-date=2 April 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== 1988–2002 === In 1987, Wai traveled to [[Paris]], France, to conduct a nude photoshoot for ''[[Playboy]].<ref name=":2" />'' The photos were taken by [[Byron Newman]]. The photo book was published in 1989.

=== 2003–2010: Return and TVB === In 2005, she quietly returned to the Hong Kong entertainment industry. In addition to film, she joined television network [[TVB]] and was nominated for a [[TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress]] in 2009 for ''[[Rosy Business]]'' and in 2010 for ''[[A Fistful of Stances]]''.

In 2009, Wai won the [[46th Golden Horse Awards]] for [[Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for her role as a possessive mother in ''[[At the End of Daybreak]].'' The film has also won the 16th the Hong Kong Institute of Film Critics award for Best Actress, the [[4th Asian Film Awards]] for Best Supporting Actress, the 29th Hong Kong film awards Best Actress, the 10th Chinese movie media awards "best actress", the 10th China Changchun film festival Best Actress in Vladivostok, Russia international film festival has won seven awards Best Actress.

=== 2011–present === Wai made her first mainland TV appearance in the series ''[[The Glamorous Imperial Concubine]]''. She took a pay cut to play [[Wu Zetian]] in her next mainland drama, ''[[Women of the Tang Dynasty]]''. The role garnered her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the [[13th Huading Awards]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

In 2012, Wai officially transferred to the king of the arts and is now a contract actress. In 2013, Wai signed a one-year drama contract with [[HKTV]]. Her first role with them was as the Black Rose on ''[[Incredible Mama]]''. She won Best Supporting Actress for the Malaysian film ''The Wedding Diary'' (2011) at the 2013 Golden Wau Awards, a ceremony celebrating Chinese language films in Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/awards/malaysias-chinese-lang-films-honored-by-wau-awards-1200729925/|title=Malaysia's Chinese-Language Films Honored by Wau Awards|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=2013-10-16|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2 April 2020}}</ref>

In 2014, Wai won the Best Supporting Actress award at the [[33rd Hong Kong Film Awards]] for her film ''Rigor Mortis''. In 2017, she won the Best Actress Award at the 36th Hong Kong film awards for [[Happiness (2016 film)|''Happiness'']]. In March 2018, Wai won the Excellence In Asian Cinema Award at the [[12th Asian Film Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=OHQ4okFUe5k| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211024/OHQ4okFUe5k| archive-date=2021-10-24|title=Kara Wai says she's on cloud 9 after receiving the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award|date=22 January 2018|website=YouTube|publisher=Associated Press|language=en|access-date=1 April 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In October 2018, she was awarded the [[Bronze Bauhinia Star]] for her outstanding achievements in the performing arts industry by the Chief Executive [[Carrie Lam]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20181027/1540620051858/%e7%8d%b2%e9%a0%92%e9%8a%85%e7%b4%ab%e8%8d%8a%e6%98%9f%e7%ab%a0-58%e6%ad%b2%e6%83%a0%e8%8b%b1%e7%b4%85-%e5%a7%93%e6%83%a0%e7%9a%84%e8%a6%ba%e5%be%97%e5%be%88%e5%85%89%e6%a6%ae|title=獲頒銅紫荊星章 58歲惠英紅：姓惠的覺得很光榮 (13:47) - 20181027 - SHOWBIZ|website=明報OL網|language=zh-hant|access-date=1 April 2020|trans-title=Awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star, 58-year-old Kara Wai: The Wai family feels very honored (13:47) - 20181027 - SHOWBIZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sg.style.yahoo.com/kara-hui-honoured-receive-bronze-030900434.html|title=Kara Hui honoured to receive Bronze Bauhinia Star|last=Hsia|first=Heidi|date=2 November 2018|website=sg.style.yahoo.com|language=en-SG|access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref> In 2018, Wai starred as the conservative wife of a closeted transgender woman in [[Tracey (film)|''Tracey'']].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Short drama |url=https://www.shortflix.net/ |access-date=2026-03-07 |website=ShortFlix |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/2174380/tracey-film-review-philip-keung-mesmerising-hong-kong-transgender|title=Tracey: Philip Keung earns first lead role in transgender drama|last=Lee|first=Edmund|date=21 November 2018|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=1 April 2020}}</ref> The film earned Wai the [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Award for Best Supporting Actress]] at the [[38th Hong Kong Film Awards]] and the [[Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Award for Best Supporting Actress]] at the [[13th Asian Film Awards]]. In 2019, Wai earned critical acclaim with her role as Chief Superintendent Man Hei-wah (Madam Man) in the TVB crime drama ''[[The Defected]]'', for which she won the [[TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] award at the 2019 [[TVB Anniversary Awards]].

In 2021, Wai and Hugo Ng Doi-Yung starred in the movie "Sunshine of my life" as a blind parent of a normal child, played by [[Karena Ng]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hk01.com/%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1/628547/%E4%B8%80%E8%B7%AF%E7%9E%B3%E8%A1%8C-%E8%A6%96%E9%9A%9C%E5%A5%B3%E9%AB%98%E9%9F%B3%E5%82%91%E9%9D%92%E7%8D%BB%E5%94%B1%E4%B8%BB%E9%A1%8C%E6%9B%B2-%E6%83%A0%E8%8B%B1%E7%B4%85%E9%9B%A8%E4%B8%AD%E5%93%AD%E8%A8%B4%E6%A5%B5%E6%84%9F%E4%BA%BA|title=【一路瞳行】視障女高音傑青獻唱主題曲惠英紅雨中哭訴極感人|date=23 May 2021 |trans-title=【Sunshine of My Life】Visually impaired soprano and Junior Chamber International awardee performs theme song; Kara Wai’s emotional breakdown in the rain is deeply moving}} HK01. 2021-05-23</ref> In the same year, she starred in the TVB crime thriller ''[[Murder Diary]]'', in which she portrayed Yeung Bik-sum, a mental hospital assistant with [[schizophrenia]], and was once again highly praised for her acting skills.

==Filmography==

===Film===

====1970s==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | 1976 || ''[[Challenge of the Masters]]'' || |- | 1977 || ''[[Chinatown Kid]]'' || Girl in brothel |- | 1977 || ''[[The Brave Archer]]'' || [[Mu Nianci]] |- | 1977 || ''Teenager's Nightmare: The Criminals Part 5'' || |- | 1977 || ''The [[Dream of the Red Chamber]]'' ||Sheyue |- | 1978 || ''[[Invincible Shaolin]]'' || Xiu Yin |- | 1978 || ''[[Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre (1978 film)|Heaven Sword & Dragon Sabre Part II]]'' || |- | 1978 || ''The Voyage of Emperor Chien Lung'' || |- | 1978 || ''Swordsman and Enchantress'' || |- | 1978 || ''The Cunning Hustler'' || |- | 1978 || ''[[The Brave Archer 2]]'' || Mu Nianci |- | 1978 || ''[[Clan of Amazons]]'' || |- | 1978 || ''[[Shaolin Handlock]]'' || Li's student |- | 1979 || ''The Tigress of Shaolin'' || Tsai Chiao |- | 1979 || ''The Last Judgement'' || |- | 1979 || ''[[Life Gamble]]'' || Xiao Hung |- | 1979 || ''The Scandalous Warlord'' || Concubine |- | 1979 || ''[[Mad Monkey Kung Fu]]'' || Miss Chen |- | 1979 || ''[[The Deadly Breaking Sword]]'' || Xiaoqin |- | 1979 || ''The Ghost Story'' || |- | 1979 || ''[[Dirty Ho]]'' || Choi Hung |}

====1980s==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | 1980 || ''[[Return to the 36th Chamber]]'' || Hung |- | 1980 || ''The Swift Sword'' || |- | 1980 || ''Emperor Chien Lung and the Beauty'' || |- | 1980 || ''Heaven and Hell'' || Lin Wei-Gang's Girlfriend |- | 1980 || ''[[Clan of the White Lotus]]'' || Mei-Hsiao |- | 1981 || ''[[Sword Stained with Royal Blood (1981 film)|Sword Stained with Royal Blood]]'' || |- | 1981 || ''[[Return of the Sentimental Swordsman]]'' || Sun Hsiao Hung |- | 1981 || ''[[My Young Auntie]]'' || Cheng Tai-Nan |- | 1981 || ''[[The Brave Archer 3]]'' || |- | 1981 || ''[[Martial Club]]'' || Chu Ying |- | 1981 || ''The Tiger and the Widow'' || |- | 1981 || ''[[The Duel of the Century]]'' || |- | 1982 || ''The Emperor and the Minister'' || |- | 1982 || ''[[Cat vs Rat]]'' || Chan's sister |- | 1982 || ''[[The Brave Archer and His Mate]]'' || |- | 1982 || ''[[Legendary Weapons of China]]'' || Fang Shao-Ching |- | 1982 || ''The 82 Tenants'' || |- | 1982 || ''Buddha's Palm'' || |- | 1983 || ''Demon of the Lute'' || |- | 1983 || ''[[Lady Is the Boss|The Lady Is the Boss]]'' || |- | 1984 || ''Three Stooges Go Undercover'' || |- | 1984 || ''[[New Tales of the Flying Fox]]'' || Yuan Tzu-yi |- | 1984 || ''[[The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter]]'' || Yang No.8 |- | 1984 || ''Family Light Affair'' || |- | 1984 || ''Double Decker'' || |- | 1984 || ''[[The Return of Pom Pom]]'' || Yuen Hung/Mimi |- | 1984 || ''Long Road to Gallantry'' || Li Sai Nan |- | 1985 || ''[[Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Stars]]'' || Tour Girl |- | 1985 || ''[[Why Me? (1985 film)|Why Me?]]'' || Woman Whose Husband Gambles |- | 1985 || ''Journey of the Doomed'' || |- | 1986 || ''The Story of Dr. Sun Yat-sen'' || |- | 1986 || ''[[Rosa (1986 film)|Rosa]]'' || Lei's Sister |- | 1986 || ''[[Naughty Boys (1986 film)|Naughty Boys]]'' || Chuan |- | 1986 || ''[[The Seventh Curse]]'' || Inspector Chiang |- | 1987 || ''[[Rouge (film)|Rouge]]'' || Actress Portraying Ghost |- | 1988 || ''[[Peacock King]]'' || |- | 1988 || ''[[The Inspector Wears Skirts]]'' || May |- | 1988 || ''Pretty Women at War'' || Ah Phoh |- | 1988 || ''[[The Dragon Family]]'' || Wai's wife |- | 1989 || ''Burning Ambition'' || Chau Siu-Hong |- | 1989 || ''[[They Came to Rob Hong Kong]]'' || Inspector Shang |- | 1989 || ''Red Lips'' || |- | 1989 || ''Widow Warriors'' || Sister-in-law |- | 1989 || ''The Inspector Wears Skirts II'' || |}

====1990s==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | 1990 || ''Stage Door Johnny'' || |- | 1990 || ''[[Angel Terminators]]'' || Hon |- | 1990 || ''Raid on Royal Casino Marine'' || May |- | 1990 || ''Lethal Angels 2'' || |- | 1991 || ''[[The Banquet (1991 film)|The Banquet]]'' || The Servant |- | 1991 || ''Heart of Danger'' || |- | 1991 || ''Who Cares!'' || |- | 1991 || ''Queen of Gambler'' || |- | 1991 || ''The Roar of the Vietnamese'' || Yuen Wan-Yin |- | 1992 || ''The Inspector Wears Skirts IV'' || May |- | 1992 || ''Behind the Curtain'' || |- | 1992 || ''Guys in Ghost's Hand'' || |- | 1992 || ''Zen of Sword'' || Ha Hou's Aunt |- | 1992 || ''Mega Force from Highland'' || |- | 1992 || ''Legend of the Drunken Tiger'' || Leela |- | 1993 || ''Madam City Hunter'' || Siu-Hung |- | 1993 || ''Tattoo Girl'' || |- | 1994 || ''Sharpshooters'' || Kan Nam |- | 1995 || ''The Vengeance''|| |- | 1996 || ''Dragon from Shaolin'' || |- | 1996 || ''Xiu hua da dao'' || |}

====2000s==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | 2000 || ''High K'' || |- | 2000 || ''[[Fist Power]]'' || |- | 2001 || ''[[Visible Secret]]'' || Siu Kam's mother |- | 2003 || ''[[The Park (2003 film)|The Park]]'' || Mrs. Yu |- | 2003 || ''[[Infernal Affairs II]]'' || Hau's sister |- | 2003 || ''[[The Secret Society – Boss]]'' || Fai's ex-wife |- | 2003 || ''[[Night Corridor]]'' || Sam's mother |- | 2004 || ''[[Jiang Hu (2004 film)|Blood Brothers]]'' || Wing's mother |- | 2005 || ''[[A Chinese Tall Story]]'' || |- | 2005 || ''Crazy N' the City'' || Rachel |- | 2008 || ''[[Legendary Assassin]]'' || Boss |- | 2008 || ''[[L for Love L for Lies]]'' || Bobo's mother |- | 2009 || ''[[At the End of Daybreak]]'' || Tuck's mother |}

====2010s==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | 2010 || ''[[72 Tenants of Prosperity]]'' || |- | 2010 || ''Kung Fu Wing Chun'' || Master Ng Mui |- | 2011 || ''[[A Chinese Ghost Story (2011 film)|A Chinese Ghost Story]]'' || Lao Lao, the tree demon |- | 2011 || ''[[Dragon (2011 film)|Dragon]]'' || Knife fighter |- | 2011 || ''[[The Wedding Diary]]'' || |- | 2011 || ''[[Turning Point 2]]'' || |- | 2012 || ''Diva'' || Sister Dan |- | 2012 || ''Happiness Me Too'' || |- | 2013 || ''[[Midnight Train (film)|Midnight Train]]'' || |- | 2013 || ''[[7 Assassins]]'' || |- | 2013 || ''The Wedding Diary 2'' || |- | 2013 || ''[[The Fox Lover]]'' || |- | 2013 || ''[[Rigor Mortis (film)|Rigor Mortis]]'' || Yeung Feng |- | 2013 || ''[[Control (2013 film)|Control]]'' || |- | 2014 || ''[[Lock Me Up, Tie Him Down]]'' || |- | 2014 || ''[[The Midnight After]]'' || |- | 2015 || ''[[Lovers & Movies]]'' || |- | 2015 || ''Kungfu Taboo'' || |- | 2015 || ''Daughter'' || |- | 2016|| ''[[Book of Love (2016 film)|Book of Love]]'' || Ling |- | 2016|| ''Horrible Masion In Wild Village'' || Granny |- | 2016 || ''[[Happiness (2016 film)|Happiness]]'' || Tse Yuen-fan |- | 2016 || ''[[The Warriors Gate]]'' ||Mountain Spirit |- | 2016 || ''[[Mrs K]]'' ||Mrs K |- | 2017 || ''[[77 Heartbreaks]]'' ||Eva's mother |- | 2017 || ''[[The Mysterious Family]]'' || Mother |- | 2017 || ''[[The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful]]'' || Madame Tang |- | 2018 || ''[[Tracey (film)|Tracey]]'' ||Anne |- | 2018 || ''House of the Rising Sons'' || |- | 2018 || ''A Life of Papers'' || |- | 2018 || ''Catching Crazy'' || |- | 2019 || ''77 Heartwarmings'' || |- | 2019 || ''Mr. Monster'' || |- | 2019 || ''[[My People, My Country]]'' || |- |}

====2020s==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | 2020 || ''Monster Run'' ||Lady Lotus |- | rowspan=1|2021 || ''77 Heartwarmings'' || Eva's Mother |- | 2022 || ''Sunshine of My Life'' || Gan Xiaohong |- | rowspan=4|2023 || '' Śakra (Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils)'' || Ruan Xingzhu |- | ''Ciao'' || Zhang Qianying |- | ''Love Never Ends'' || Li Huiru |- | ''Last Suspect'' || Lin Shu'e

|- |}

===Television dramas=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! English title !! Original title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1996 || ''[[Journey to the West (1996 TV series)|Journey to the West]]''||西遊記 || Flying Tiger General || |- | 1997 || ''Deadly Protection'' || 保護證人組 || Lee Dzi San || |- | 1997 || ''Lady Flower Fist'' || 苗翠花 || Ma Yuk Mui || |- | 1999 || ''[[At the Threshold of an Era]]'' ||創世紀 || Eva Lau Shuet Ling|| |- | 1999 || ''A Smiling Ghost Story'' ||衝上人間 || Fong Yuet-Ping || |- | 1999 || ''Tai Ji Zong Shi'' || 太極宗師 || Aunt Hung || |- | 2001 || ''[[The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (2000 TV series)|The Heaven Sword & the Dragon Sabre]]''|| 倚天屠龍記 || Miejue Shi Tai || |- | 2006 || ''[[Safe Guards]]'' || 鐵血保鏢 || Yan Ching || |- | 2006 || ''[[Below the Lion Rock]]'' || 獅子山下 || Herself || |- | 2006 || ''CRD Love Story'' || 情定CRD || |- | 2007 || ''[[On the First Beat]]''|| 學警出更 || Wong Shuk Yin || |- | 2007 || ''[[ICAC Investigators 2007]]'' || 廉政行動2007 || Choi Yuet Ngo || |- | 2007 || ''[[Word Twisters' Adventures]]'' || 鐵咀銀牙 || Poon Bak Fung || |- | 2008 || ''[[Wasabi Mon Amour]]''|| 和味濃情 || Ko Kwai || |- | 2008 || ''[[Forensic Heroes II]]'' || 法證先鋒II || Cheng Lai Ling || |- | 2008 || ''[[Legend of the Demigods]]'' ||搜神傳 || Cho Mong Yau || |- | 2008 || ''[[Pages of Treasures]]'' || Click入黃金屋 || Fun || |- | 2009 || ''[[Man in Charge]]'' || 幕後大老爺 || Ching Tai Niang || |- | 2009 || ''[[Rosy Business]]'' || 巾幗梟雄 || Lau Fong || Nominated — [[TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress]] |- | 2009 || ''[[Sweetness in the Salt]]'' || 碧血鹽梟 || Choi Ngan Fa || |- | 2009 || ''[[Beyond the Realm of Conscience]]'' || 宮心計 || Tam Yim Sheung || |- | 2010 || ''[[A Fistful of Stances]]'' || 鐵馬尋橋 || Cheung Sheung-chu || Nominated — [[TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress]] |- | 2010 || ''[[Can't Buy Me Love (2010 TV series)|Can't Buy Me Love]]''||公主嫁到 || Concubine Wei || |- | 2010 || ''[[No Regrets (TV series)|No Regrets]]'' ||巾幗梟雄之義海豪情 || Yeung Ng Lai-sim || |- | 2011 || ''[[The Glamorous Imperial Concubine]]'' || 傾世皇妃 || Du Feihong (Empress Du) || |- | 2013 || ''[[Women of the Tang Dynasty]]'' || 唐宮燕之女人天下 || [[Wu Zetian]] || |- | 2014 || ''Legend of the Last Emperor'' || 末代皇帝传奇 || [[Empress Dowager Longyu|Yehenara Jingfen (Empress Dowager Longyu)]] || |- | 2015 || ''[[Incredible Mama]]'' ||我阿媽係黑玫瑰|| Chung-Sam Fat-yuen || |- | 2015 || ''Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties 5'' ||隋唐英雄5|| [[Wu Zetian]] || |- | 2015 || ''The Female Assassins in the Palace'' ||金釵諜影|| Mo Yun || |- | 2015 || ''The Legend of Xiao Zhuang'' ||大玉兒傳奇|| [[Lady Abahai]] || |- | 2016 || ''Affairs of the Heart'' ||人間有情：苦瓜的味道 || Jing || |- | 2019 || ''Stained'' || 心冤 || Fion Bo || |- | 2019 || ''[[The Defected]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.hk/detail/%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87/actor-philip-keung-ho-man-promotes-film-the-defected-on-march-29-%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87/1139231388|title=Kara Hui Promotes 'The Defected' In Hong Kong|date=30 March 2019 }} Gettyimages.hk. 2019-03-29</ref>'' || 鐵探 || Chief Superintendent Man Hei-wah (Madam Man) || Won — [[TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress]] |- | 2020 || ''[[Imperfect Love]]'' || 不完美的她 || Yuan Ling || |- |2020 | ''We Are All Alone'' |怪你过分美丽 |Ruan Lihua | |- | 2021 || ''[[The Rebel Princess]]'' || 上阳赋 || Noble Consort Xie || |- |2021 | ''[[Murder Diary]]'' |刑偵日記 |Yeung Bik-sum | |- | rowspan="2" |TBA | |啼笑书香 | | |- | |当家主母 | | |}

<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lovehkfilm.com/people/hui_kara.htm|title=Kara Hui Ying-Hung (惠英紅)|website=www.lovehkfilm.com}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chinesemov.com/actors/Kara%20Hui.html|title=⓿⓿ Kara Hui - Actress - Hong Kong - Filmography - TV Drama Series - Chinese Movies}}</ref>

==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Award !! Category !! Film / television dramas !! class="unsortable" | Result |- | 1982 || [[1st Hong Kong Film Awards]] || [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] || ''[[My Young Auntie]]'' || {{won}} |- | 2002 || [[21st Hong Kong Film Awards]] || [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] || ''[[Visible Secret]]'' || {{nom}} |- | 2003 || [[40th Golden Horse Awards]] || [[Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] || ''Night Corridor'' || {{nom}} |- | rowspan=2|2009 || 43rd [[TVB Anniversary Awards]]|| Best Supporting Actress || ''[[Rosy Business]]'' || {{nom}} |- | [[46th Golden Horse Awards]] || [[Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] || rowspan=7|''[[At the End of Daybreak]]'' || {{won}} |- | rowspan=7|2010 || 16th [[Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards]] || Best Actress || {{won}} |- | [[4th Asian Film Awards]] || Best Supporting Actress || {{won}} |- | [[29th Hong Kong Film Awards|29th]] [[Hong Kong Film Awards]] || Best Actress || {{won}} |- | 10th [[Chinese Film Media Awards]] || Best Actress || {{won}} |- | 10th [[Changchun Film Festival]] || Best Actress || {{won}} |- | [[Vladivostok]] International Film Festival || Best Actress || {{won}} |- | 44th TVB Anniversary Awards || Best Supporting Actress || ''[[A Fistful of Stances]]'' || {{nom}} |- | 2011 || 48th [[Golden Horse Awards]] || [[Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] || ''[[A Chinese Ghost Story (2011 film)|A Chinese Ghost Story]]'' || {{nom}} |- | 2012 || [[31st Hong Kong Film Awards]] || Best Supporting Actress || ''[[Wu Xia (film)|Wu Xia]]'' || {{nom}} |- | 2013 || 1st Malaysia's Golden Wau Awards<ref>{{cite web|last1=Loy|first1=Vincent|title=Malaysia's 1st Golden Wau Awards 2013|date=28 October 2013|url=https://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/malaysias-1st-golden-wau-awards-2013/|access-date=22 March 2016|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005064000/https://vincentloy.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/malaysias-1st-golden-wau-awards-2013/|url-status=live}}</ref> || Best Supporting Actress || ''The Wedding Diary'' || {{won}} |- | 2014 || [[33rd Hong Kong Film Awards]] || [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] || ''[[Rigor Mortis (film)|Rigor Mortis]]'' ||{{won}} |- | 2015 || [[34th Hong Kong Film Awards]] || [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] || ''[[The Midnight After]]'' ||{{nom}} |- |rowspan=7|2017 || [[11th Asian Film Awards]] || [[Asian Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] || rowspan=5|''[[Happiness (2016 film)|Happiness]]'' ||{{nom}} |- | [[36th Hong Kong Film Awards]] || [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] ||{{won}} |- | [[Macau International Movie Festival]] || [[Golden Lotus Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] ||{{won}} |- | [[Chinese Film Media Awards]] || [[Best Actress]] ||{{nom}} |- | [[24th Beijing College Student Film Festival]] || [[Best Actress]] ||{{nom}} |- | [[54th Golden Horse Awards]] || [[Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress|Best Leading Actress]] || ''[[The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful]]'' ||{{won}} |- | 22nd [[Asian Television Award]]s || [[Asian Television Award for Best Actress|Best Actress in a Leading Role]] || ''Affairs of the Heart'' ||{{won}} |- | rowspan="2" |2018 |12th [[Asian Film Awards]] |Excellence in Asian Cinema Awards | ||{{won}} |- |[[55th Golden Horse Awards]]||[[Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]|| rowspan="3" |''[[Tracey (film)|Tracey]]''||{{nom}} |- | rowspan=6|2019 || [[38th Hong Kong Film Awards]] || [[Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] ||{{won}} |- | 13th [[Asian Film Awards]] || [[Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] ||{{won}} |- | 2nd Asian Academy Creative Awards || Best Leading Actress (Hong Kong)|| rowspan=4|''[[The Defected]]'' ||{{won}} |- |rowspan=2|26th [[Huading Awards]] |Best Actress<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2019-12-10/doc-iihnzhfz4994130.shtml|title=第26届华鼎奖奖项出炉陈宝国惠英红获最佳男女主|date=10 December 2019|website=Sina|language=zh|access-date=2019-12-11|archive-date=2020-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525103816/http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2019-12-10/doc-iihnzhfz4994130.shtml|url-status=live|trans-title=26th Huading Awards winners announced: Chen Baoguo and Kara Wai win Best Actor and Best Actress}}</ref> |{{won}} |- |Top Ten Favorite Actors |{{won}} |- |[[TVB Anniversary Awards]] |Best Actress |{{won}} |- |2020 |35th [[Hundred Flowers Awards]] |Best Actress |''[[My People, My Country]]'' |{{nom}} |- | rowspan=4|2021 |rowspan=4|[[TVB Anniversary Awards]] |Best Actress | rowspan=4|''[[Murder Diary]]'' |{{nom|Top 10}} |- |Most Popular Female Character |{{nom}} |- |Most Popular Onscreen Partnership (with [[Philip Keung]]) |{{nom}} |- |Favourite TVB Actress in Malaysia |{{nom}} |- | 2023 || [[36th Golden Rooster Awards]] || [[Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] ||rowspan=3| ''Love Never Ends '' || {{nom}} |- | 2024 || 15th [[China Film Director's Guild Awards]] || Best Actress || {{nom}} |- | 2025 || 20th [[Huabiao Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2025|title=华表奖揭晓惠英红大热膺优秀女演员|trans-title=Huabiao Awards announced, Hui Yinghong wins Best Actress|language=zh|accessdate=28 April 2025|url=https://www.takungpao.com/culture/237147/2025/0428/1081822.html|website=[[Ta Kung Pao]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428004641/https://www.takungpao.com/culture/237147/2025/0428/1081822.html|archive-date=28 April 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> || [[Huabiao Award for Outstanding Actress|Outstanding Actress]] || {{won}} |- |}

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== {{commons category|Kara Hui}} * {{IMDb name|0401192}} * {{hkmdb name|4429}}

{{Navboxes |title = Awards for Kara Hui |list = {{Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actress}} {{Asian Television Award for Best Actress}} {{Changchun Film Festival Best Actress}} {{Chinese Film Media Awards Best Actress}} {{GoldenHorseAwardBestActress}} {{GoldenHorseAwardBestSupportingActress}} {{Golden Lotus Award for Best Actress}} {{Best Actress HKFA}} {{Best Supporting Actress HKFA}} {{Best Actress HKFCSA}} {{Huabiao Award Outstanding Actress}} {{Best Actress TVB Awards}} }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wai, Kara}} [[Category:20th-century Hong Kong actresses]] [[Category:21st-century Hong Kong actresses]] [[Category:Actresses from Shandong]] [[Category:Best Supporting Actress Asian Film Award winners]] [[Category:Hong Kong film actresses]] [[Category:Hong Kong people of Manchu descent]] [[Category:Hong Kong television actresses]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Manchu actresses]] [[Category:Recipients of the Bronze Bauhinia Star]] [[Category:Shaw Brothers Studio]] [[Category:TVB veteran actors]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]