There have been many celebrities sighted on trains, showcasing their down-to-earth side. However, this photo of Hong Kong actor Nick Cheung (張家輝) on the train garnered attention for an unexpected reason.
Threads user @/choi_san_keung recently posted a photo of the actor sleeping in a train coach in Hong Kong. As shown in the now-deleted photo, Nick was leaning against the glass divider whilst seated. However, the star donned a slightly different look from his usual appearance – haggard with a full beard and long curly hair. Understandably, the photo sparked discussion amongst netizens.
The account that posted the photo also shared another of the actor, but this time, closer up and taken from a low angle. Eerily, the account also shared voice recordings of Nick saying things like, “Sorry, can you delete this (photo)? I was photographed.” and ”I can’t sleep anymore. I was secretly photographed sleeping in a train.”. It’s also notable that the actor sounded tired in all the recordings.
While such postings would’ve alarmed many, netizens quickly pieced together the clues to reveal that the account was to promote the actor’s upcoming movie, “Peg O’ My Heart (贖夢)”. In the film, Nick plays a man named “Choi San Keung (蔡辛強)”, the name used for the Threads account. After confirming that Nick wasn’t in any real danger, netizens shared their reaction to the unconventional promotional method.
Many expressed amusement over the postings, saying it piqued their interest in the movie. Others praised the marketing strategy, saying it’s different from the traditional methods and makes the character feel alive. Funnily enough, some fans even played along and chatted with Nick’s character as if he were a real person, prompting some humorous interactions. The account also amassed over 20,000 followers since going viral.
While slightly scary, this unconventional way of promoting a movie piqued many people’s interest, so kudos to the marketing team. If you’re interested in the film, “Peg O’ My Heart” is slated for theatrical release in Malaysia on 27th March 2025. Check out the trailer below:
Sources: Threads, Oriental Daily
