HK stars mourn White Dragon King
PUBLISHED ONAugust 20, 2013 8:00 PM
HONG KONG - Chinese Thai mystic the White Dragon King has died, mourned by a host of Hong Kong and Taiwanese celebrities such as actress Shu Qi and director Andrew Lau.
The soothsayer, who had bronchitis for years, died in his home in Thailand last Saturday, said Ming Pao Daily News.
He was 76.
The funeral was scheduled for Sept 1, and Media Asia mogul Peter Lam immediately got hold of Lau, who hurried to Thailand last Saturday to help out in the White Dragon King temple, said Ming Pao.
The mystic was popular with entertainers, and stars including Jackie Chan, Eric Tsang, Alan Tam, Nat Chan, Anita Mui, Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Gillian Chung are said to have consulted him about their careers.
Lam famously flew the soothsayer to Hong Kong in 2002 to pick an auspicious date and place for the first day of filming of Infernal Affairs, directed by Lau and Alan Mak and starring Andy Lau and Leung.
Wu Jian Dao, the Chinese title of the thriller, was also chosen as the White Dragon King said it should be three words.
The film was a commercial and critical hit, and the mystic was consulted about Infernal Affairs II and III in 2003.
Andrew Lau became a disciple and Shawn Yue, who acted in the films, became another celebrity devotee, said Ming Pao.
The White Dragon King had been in poor health in recent years, and was said to have been in intensive care in Bangkok in 2010.
Rumour also had it that he went to a Hong Kong hospital, and that Lam paid more than HK$2 million (SGD$328,000) for his treatment, said Ming Pao.
Shu Qi, Richie Jen and Show Lo were among the stars who remembered the mystic last Saturday.
On Facebook, Shu Qi thanked the White Dragon King for his "teachings in more than 10 years". She said: "I know you will have a good journey."
Lo said: "I thank him for giving me wise advice. I hope he rejoices in heaven every day."
The singer was said to have been advised to abstain from sex for his career, reported Ming Pao.
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