Former actor Liu Wai-hung bounces back from bankruptcy to build food empire in Malaysia

Liu Wai-hung, widely known by his popular screen nickname Ar Chan, left the entertainment industry in the late 1990s to pursue various commercial ventures, including beauty salons, karaoke bars, and roasted meat shops. 

However, his entrepreneurial journey was heavily impacted by external factors such as the Asian financial crisis. 

By 1999, mounting debts from failed investments caused severe cash flow problems, ultimately forcing him to declare bankruptcy and marking a steep decline from his days as a celebrated television star.

Rising from the ashes through agriculture and dining

Despite his severe financial setbacks, Liu remained resilient and eventually managed to rebuild his fortune. He initially found success by developing an organic farming business in mainland China, successfully launching his own brand of rice and operating a profitable agricultural estate. 

In recent years, he relocated to Malaysia and aggressively expanded into the food and beverage sector. Last year, he heavily invested in a massive four-story, 15,000-square-foot dining and entertainment complex, which he ambitiously envisioned as the country's premier luxury dining destination. 

More recently, he has expanded his portfolio to include a street food venture specializing in fishballs, earning him a reputation as a major player in the local culinary scene.

Addressing wealth rumors with signature humor

His rapid success has sparked widespread rumors that his net worth has soared past the hundred-million mark. 

During a recent interview with Malaysian media, Liu playfully addressed these speculations by claiming his net worth was actually double that amount. He then delivered a clever play on words in Chinese, explaining that his two hundred million consisted of one hundred million in lost memories and another hundred million in cherished memories, as the words for memory and hundred million share similar pronunciations. 

Online commentators praised his wit, with many noting that his actual wealth likely matches the rumors given his lucrative farming and restaurant enterprises. While he confidently acknowledges his business achievements, he remains modest about his financial status and playfully downplays the notion that selling fishballs alone made him wealthy.

Overcoming recent health challenges

Alongside his business triumphs, Liu has recently faced significant health hurdles. In late 2024, he experienced symptoms indicative of a suspected stroke, including stiffness and numbness in his jaw, as well as a temporary loss of sensation in his left leg that left him fearing paralysis. 

He also battled severe gout in his right leg. Fortunately, following proactive medical treatment, his physical condition and overall spirits have shown remarkable improvement.

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽 ↓