Raymond Lam has always maintained a professional attitude throughout his long-standing career in entertainment. His recent performance as “Chan Lok Kwan” in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In struck a chord with audiences, stirring up collective memories. The film reignited interest in him across the city, and his recent concert further showcased his talents. Despite being in the industry for years, his skills remain sharp—whether singing, dancing, or acting, he continues to deliver at the highest level.
In the days leading up to the cover shoot, the weather had been unpredictable, casting doubt on whether the outdoor shoot could proceed as planned. Fortunately, on the day of the shoot, the weather cooperated. Each time we were about to start shooting, the sky cleared, and the sun shone so brightly it was almost blinding. During breaks, dark clouds would again loom in the distance. The schedule for this digital cover was tight, but thanks to everyone’s effort, it was made possible. Catching Raymond just after he wrapped his concert, we spoke with him about his thoughts on the stage, career, personal life, and views on success. He generously opened up about his journey and hopes for the future, offering us a rare glimpse into his inner world.
Art Imitates Life
You’ve just completed seven shows of your Go With the Flow concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum. How do you feel?
First of all, I’m deeply grateful for all the fans’ support. This concert was the culmination of many elements my team and I had long wanted to present. We also prepared some surprises, and I’m happy the audience enjoyed the experience. Personally, I love performing on stage and dancing. Thanks to the seamless collaboration between the music, choreography, and direction teams, we were able to deliver something truly immersive.
Honestly, doing seven consecutive shows was a breakthrough for me. I was concerned whether my stamina would hold up, so I put a lot into the preparation. Having performed earlier in Macau helped me relax and get into the right mindset for the Hong Kong shows, and everything turned out as expected.
You played Chan Lok Kwan in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, which earned you your first Best Actor nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards. How did that role push your acting and career forward?
It’s truly an honor. Being nominated for the Hong Kong Film Awards—a pinnacle for any actor—is a huge encouragement. I hope to continue learning from more seasoned filmmakers and to keep pushing my limits in acting, bringing fresh surprises to the audience on the big screen.
You have extensive experience in TV, film, and music. How do you balance these three aspects of your career? With Walled In being a breakthrough in action films for you, are there any upcoming cross-genre projects or new ventures?
I just wrapped up my Hong Kong concert, and the world tour will roll out over the next few months. After that, the sequel to Walled In will begin filming. So for now, just keeping up with both music and acting is already quite a lot. As for new ventures—I think at this stage, I’ll continue focusing on those two areas first.
Dazzling on Stage, Grounded in Life
Your wife and daughter made an appearance at the concert—such a heartwarming moment! Many say maintaining a childlike heart and optimism is key to a happy marriage. What’s your take?
I agree. Life is all about balance. Work hard when it’s time to work, but also give yourself room to breathe. Only then can you perform at your best. When I first started out, I was full of drive and didn’t have much concept of “work-life balance”—I just kept pushing forward. These days, I take more time to process and reflect. Having a family has made me want to spend more time with my wife and daughter.
There’s a saying, “Everything stems from the heart, and every moment is shaped by people.” How do you maintain a positive mindset when facing challenges or things beyond your control?
Life doesn’t always go as planned. I believe that when you put in effort, don’t fixate on the outcome. The process itself is rewarding. When opportunity arises, you must seize it. I consider myself an optimistic person. Joy is important to me, and a positive environment helps a lot. When your mindset is good, things naturally go more smoothly.
Fearlessly Moving Forward
As a senior figure in the Hong Kong music scene, what advice would you give young dream-chasers facing failure?
I wouldn’t dare call myself a “senior.” Whether it’s acting or singing, these are lifelong arts that always offer new things to explore. There are many variables—audience tastes change constantly. As performers, we have to evolve with the environment. Hong Kong has many talented singers and songwriters, and I’d love to collaborate and learn from them—to see what kind of sparks can fly.
To young people pursuing their dreams: if you’ve already chosen this path, don’t look back. At life’s crossroads, you may hesitate, but once you decide, go all in. Even if you don’t win in the end, the unexpected gains along the way will be more valuable than you imagined.
Jacket, top and pants, Tod’s
You’ve touched many areas—what does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is very subjective. Dressing appropriately is a form of respect for different occasions. That said, although it may not seem directly related, I think health and self-discipline are crucial for any artist. I work out regularly—I love to eat, but when I have a performance or shoot coming up, I have to control my diet. The schedule can be intense, so my physical condition needs to be at its best.
The hardest part is maintaining that level. It’s easy to slack off, but staying consistent is the biggest challenge for any artist. When I’m in top form, it opens up more opportunities for styling and fashion as well—I get to try new looks.
You recently debuted a pink-blonde hairstyle, which surprised many by breaking away from your usual mature image. Were you thinking about a style transformation?
Part of the reason was to create a more striking stage effect and stand out more. After trying it, I thought it looked quite good—makes me look younger too! Since it’s summer, I wanted to experiment with different hair colors and bring audiences a fresh version of myself.
With your world tour kicking off soon, you’ll be performing in various Chinese cities and countries you’ve never visited. Any details you can share? How will you adapt to different cultures and markets?
We’re still finalizing the list of tour stops, so I can’t announce them yet. The team is working closely on the preparations. I believe many of the concertgoers will have seen my work in film and TV as well. Overall, the show will follow a core structure, but I’m very excited to meet fans around the world—whether they know me through music or acting. I hope to connect with all of them in person.
Photography: Leung Mo
Editorial Director: Jumius Wong
Creative & Fashion Direction: Jenine Oh
Casting & Production Direction: Second Li
Grooming: Raymond Yip
Hair Stylist: Keith Wong @ Artify.lab
Fashion Assistant: Priscilla Ng, Sing Lei
Project Assistant: Harrod To
On-site Coordination: Carmen Lam, Vivian, Natasha Yao, Talia Tom
Interview & Text: Priscilla Ng
Wardrobe: Tod’s
Location courtesy of The Repulse Bay Arcade
