The police were called, the case was (unsuccessfully) pursued, and for 12 years, the trauma remained buried—until 2002, when a Hong Kong tabloid, East Week , published the coerced photos. When the photos emerged, the entertainment world exploded. Many expected Tony Leung to distance himself. Instead, he stood by her side. Friends recall him saying, "I want to care for her even more now." Carina, meanwhile, organized a protest march alongside Jackie Chan, Tony Leung, and the entire Entertainment Industry. She stood before the cameras, not as a victim, but as a warrior.
From a star-crossed engagement to one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors to the shocking scandal that tested her very core, Carina Lau’s romantic journey is less a fairy tale and more a nuanced, resilient epic. At its center stands her two-decade "will-they-won’t-they" saga with actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai—a relationship that has redefined modern partnership in the face of fame, trauma, and public scrutiny. HongKong Actress Carina Lau Ka-Ling Sex Tape
As Carina once explained: "We are each other’s best friends and biggest fans. I don’t need him to be someone else. He doesn’t need me to be quiet. We are two independent planets in the same solar system." In the 2010s and 2020s, Carina’s romantic storyline evolved into something quieter but more powerful: the mature phase. The Decision to Remain Childless One of the most persistent questions was why the couple never had children. Carina addressed this directly: "Tony and I discussed it. It’s a huge responsibility. We prefer to focus on each other and our work." She later added that other factors—including the trauma of the 1990 kidnapping—made her hesitant to bring a child into a world of constant media intrusion. The police were called, the case was (unsuccessfully)
Here is the definitive look at the relationships and romantic storylines of Hong Kong’s ultimate leading lady. Before she was a style icon or an art-collecting socialite, Carina Lau was a young actress navigating the feverish world of 1980s Hong Kong showbiz. Her romantic narrative began not with a bang, but with a series of quiet, often overlooked connections. The Training Ground: Wong Cho-nam and the TVB Years While studying at TVB’s acting classes, Carina caught the eye of classmate and actor Wong Cho-nam. Their brief, innocent teenage relationship was typical of young stars—secret lunches, stolen glances on set, and the inevitable fading as careers took divergent paths. It was a gentle prologue, teaching her the first lessons of love in the public eye: privacy is a luxury, and timing is everything. The "First Love" Myth: Kenix Kwok? Rumors often swirled linking her to actor Kenix Kwok, but these were largely tabloid fabrications. The real shift came when she began working with the producer and actor Ric Meyers. However, it was her role in the 1986 film Lucky Stars Go Places that brought her into the orbit of the man who would define her early career turmoil: Alan Tam. Instead, he stood by her side
Instead, they channeled their nurturing side into godchildren (including actor Leung Ka-fai’s daughter) and art collecting. In a stunning turn worthy of her best film, Carina publicly forgave the individuals involved in the 1990 abduction and the 2002 photo leak. She posted a photo on Weibo of herself with the man she believed was the mastermind, accompanied by a reflective caption about letting go.
In 1989, the fairy tale seemed to reach its climax when Julian threw a lavish betrothal party. The media declared them engaged. Carina spoke openly of planning a wedding, of leaving acting, of a life behind guarded gates. But fairy tales require fairy godparents. Julian’s family, particularly his father Hui Sai-kun, reportedly disapproved of a "mere actress" marrying the heir. The pressure was immense. Within months, the engagement was called off. The official reason given was "irreconcilable differences in life goals."
The pair co-starred and were seen together frequently. Tabloids breathlessly speculated about a May–December romance. Carina, ever the pragmatist, never confirmed the relationship, calling him a "senior artist friend." This period taught her the media dance—how to give nothing while seeming to give everything. The first truly seismic romantic storyline in Carina Lau’s life was her high-profile relationship with Julian Hui, the heir to one of Hong Kong’s most powerful real estate fortunes (the Hui family of Hang Lung Properties). This wasn't just a romance; it was a social clash between the gritty world of cinema and the rarefied air of dynastic wealth. The Cinderella Myth Takes Hold In the late 1980s, Carina began dating Julian Hui, a Harvard-educated businessman with impeccable manners and a family fortune that dwarfed her own. They were photographed at horse races, charity balls, and private clubs. For two years, the narrative was pure fairy tale: the actress who would become a tycoon’s wife.