Hong Kong actor Tony Leung’s cameo in K-pop group NewJeans’ ‘Cool with You’ music video sets internet on fire
- Sixty-one-year-old Tony Leung Chiu-wai appears in the ‘Side B’ version of K-pop girl group NewJeans’ video, which also features Squid Game actress Jung Ho-yeon
- Following the video’s release, Leung’s name was trending at #1 on Weibo, with over 6 million views, and at #3 worldwide on Twitter
A 15-second cameo by award-winning Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai in the latest music video from K-pop girl group NewJeans has generated both shock and delight online.
The 61-year-old actor appears in the “Side B” version of the “Cool with You” video, released on July 19, alongside South Korean actress-model Jung Ho-yeon, who shot to fame after her acclaimed performance in the hit K-drama series Squid Game.
Despite Leung’s cameo being brief, internet users were quick to recognise and get excited over his appearance.
“When they said a special global star would appear in NewJeans MV, never in a million years would I think it would be the legend himself, Tony Leung,” Twitter user @jekkibby2 tweeted.
Others called him a “scene stealer” for his remarkable ability to act with his eyes.
Many were surprised that the Hong Kong actor appeared at all.
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“Im as shocked as Hoyeon with Tony Leung’s appearance!” user @4uJean commented on the YouTube video, referring to the reaction of Jung’s character to seeing Leung’s character in the video.
“How did [NewJeans’ label Ador] bag the Tony Leung – one of the most successful and recognized Asian [actors]?” @gucciphamkr posted on Twitter.
Another user tweeted a “starter pack” of Tony Leung movies for K-pop fans discovering him through the music video, including In the Mood for Love, Chungking Express, Happy Together and Infernal Affairs.
With his hair dyed grey, it is unclear what Leung’s role is in the video, only that Jung’s character appears dismayed as he looks at her from the other side of a crossroads. Some internet users speculated that he is playing a Cupid-like character, similar to Jung’s.
Some saw Leung’s cameo as proof that NewJeans had attained a degree of international fame.
“NewJeans are in a league of their own,” @newjirrm tweeted. “To work with Tony Leung, the most acclaimed contemporary actor in Asia and THE HOYEON JUNG is insane.”
According to Korean news sources, Leung was chosen for his on-screen charisma and that it was he who suggested the grey hair styling.
Following the video’s release, Leung’s name was trending at #1 on Weibo, China’s answer to Twitter, with over 6 million views. He was also trending at #3 worldwide on Twitter.
