HONG KONG — Dickson Yu, the former TVB actor who transitioned to a digital content creator and radio host, is once again the subject of intense media scrutiny following a report detailing his alleged romantic entanglements, even as his public persona remains dogged by persistent controversies over his conduct and comments. The latest edition of East Week magazine published photographs Wednesday appearing to show Yu balancing relationships with two women, whom the publication characterized as having resemblances to actresses Loletta Lee and Sally Yeh, respectively.

The high-profile report underscores the continued attention Yu draws, maintaining a strong public presence through radio broadcasts and frequent social media updates despite leaving the mainstream television powerhouse TVB. However, his path since suffering a near-fatal cardiac arrest in 2018 has been marked by a polarizing mix of professional reinvention and public relations headaches.

From Cardiac Arrest Survivor to Content Creator

Yu’s trajectory changed dramatically in 2018 when he collapsed suddenly due to a cardiac arrhythmia during a football match, requiring emergency resuscitation. The event, which he has publicly referred to as a “resurrection,” sidelined him temporarily and led to a reduced workload upon his return.

He later earned critical acclaim as a lead actor in the 2022 drama Forensic Heroes V, yet he stunned many by choosing to depart TVB shortly thereafter. His transition into a full-time Key Opinion Leader (KOL) and radio personality has kept his visibility high, though it has also placed his personal life and online commentary under greater public scrutiny.

This new career phase has repeatedly thrust Yu into the center of media storms. Notably, he used his YouTube channel to address a bizarre rumor surrounding his 2018 health crisis, specifically denying claims made by a self-proclaimed “tycoon’s geomancy master” that Yu’s mother had implored the individual to perform a costly ritual to save his life.

“My mother and I had absolutely no acquaintance with this person,” Yu stated in a video, strongly refuting the narrative of a superstitious intervention.

Content Generates Criticism

Beyond the dramatic personal disclosures, Yu’s YouTube content itself has drawn significant fire. A recent video where he reviewed a traditional Hong Kong cha chaan teng (cafe) drew widespread online condemnation. Critics accused Yu of adopting a condescending, high-and-mighty attitude while offering lukewarm assessments of the food and environment, such as describing the dishes as “nothing special” and the decor as “old-fashioned to a certain point.”

Many viewers interpreted his tone as disrespectful toward the working-class establishment, suggesting his comments were deliberately provocative to boost engagement rather than offering genuine critique.

The ‘Mama’s Boy’ Critique

Yu, who is an only child from a wealthy background, has also faced scrutiny over his close relationship with his mother, earning him the derisive nickname, “mama’s boy” (kwan gok zai).

On the Commercial Radio program Mouthful of Waves, Yu revealed that he had avoided traveling to Japan for over a decade, citing his mother’s concern about perceived radiation risks. This anecdote sparked mockery online, with many characterizing his compliance as evidence of an excessive dependence on his parents.

As Yu continues to navigate the unpredictable world of digital celebrity, his personal life—from alleged simultaneous dating to handling past trauma—remains intrinsically linked to his professional brand, ensuring that the former TVB star remains a perpetual fixture in tabloid headlines.