Tse Yin - The Heart Stealer

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Today’s post remembers beloved Hong Kong film and television icon Patrick Tse, known to our Bedok kampong folk by the name we grew up with - Tse Yin (謝賢), pronounced Jeh Yin in Cantonese. He passed away on 16 July 2026, just three weeks shy of his 90th birthday, closing a remarkable career that began in 1952, when he was only sixteen. Over the decades he remained a constant presence on screen - actor, producer, director - with more than 170 productions to his name. Even at the time of his passing, another television series he had completed was still in post‑production.

Our grandmother adored him - not only for his acting talent and rising popularity, but also for his striking good looks, a naturally handsome young man who lit up the screen. In 1958, when the new Hollywood Theatre opened along Tanjong Katong Road, one of the films screened that year was The Heart Stealer (情賊). Tse Yin was just 22, already a star. Grandmother was so taken by him that she brought our cousin - then only eight - to watch the film.

From our Bedok kampong, we believe they travelled the familiar way many families did in those years: riding a beh char (trishaw) from Bedok Corner to the cinema and back again. The outing left such an impression that our cousin still remembers how, after the film’s release, Tse Yin began dating his co‑star Ka‑Ling - his first girlfriend. They were seen as the perfect couple of their time, even though their relationship eventually ended after seven years.

Tse Yin brought tremendous joy to those of us who followed his films and television work. For our Bedok kampong community, he made life feel that much more exciting - a screen legend whose presence brightened our days, and our nights.

Rest in peace Tse Yin, in so many ways you have stolen our hearts and we will miss you.



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