Sun Wai-Keung
Sun Wai-Keung is a Hong Kong actor. Sun began his professional acting career in 1994 and has since performed over a hundred-stage roles., nominated 19 times for the Hong Kong Drama Awards and other theatre awards, and has won five times. In recent years, he has expanded into screen acting, appearing in Hong Kong ViuTV's original program Be An Acting Star as an Acting Instructor and starring in the television series City of Light . He also organizes theatre productions and drama reading performances overseas, nurturing young talents in the performing arts.
Background
Early life
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Sun attended Po Yan Primary School, then Ho Lap College starting in 1983. The secondary school hosted an annual "Drama Night," where he was bored by the poor acting he witnessed as audience. Determined to make a difference, he joined the school drama club in Form 3. His acting talent was soon recognized by Mr. Raymond To Kwok-Wai, the teacher in charge of drama, who became his formative mentor and enlightener. During his secondary school years, Sun won the "Best Actor Award" in consecutive school drama competitions. Upon graduating, Sun gave up otherwise attractive School of Design at the then Hong Kong Polytechnic, and chose to pursue his passion for the stage by enrolling in the School of Drama at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, thereupon embarked on a lifelong profession.Acting career
During his studies at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Sun received three performance awards and three scholarships. He was honored with the "Most Promising Actor Award" and the "Outstanding Actor Award" twice. His academic excellence earned him the Artiste Training Alumni Association Scholarship, the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation Scholarship, and the Standard Chartered Bank Scholarship.In 1994, he graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a Postgraduate Diploma in Acting and joined the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre the same year as a full-time actor. Guided by theatre legends Mr. Chung King-Fai and Mr. Fredric Mao Chun-Fai, Sun committed himself fully to the craft—even performing through injuries in his pursuit of excellence. In 1999, he landed his first lead role as young Peer in Norwegian play writer Henrik Ibsen's famous work Peer Gynt, translated as 《培爾•金特》, marking his rise as one of the troupe's key actors.
After three decades with the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre, Sun left to become a freelance actor in 2024. Over the years, he has received 19 theatre nominations and five awards from the Hong Kong Drama Awards and the Chinese Drama Festivals, participated in the cross-strait joint performances in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, and other performances abroad. Sun's stage repertoire in over a hundred productions spans a wide range of characters — classical and modern, virtuous and villainous, tenacious and cowardly, comedic and tragic. He is known for infusing characters with rich nuance through his use of dialogue and stagecraft and for reinterpreting ordinary characters with emotional depth. His ability to master even the most extreme personalities or emotional shifts in a single take earned praise from Golden Horse Best Actor Mr. Tse Kwan-Ho, who described him as "a veritable stage drama king."
In addition to acting, Sun also works in voice dubbing, directing, screenwriting, story development, and drama instruction.
Teaching and Mentorship
Alongside his acting career, Sun is deeply committed to theatre education. He has led workshops and training sessions for aspiring actors in both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.Personal life
Sun met his wife, Ms. Poon Pik-Wan through their shared work in the performing arts. Poon is a dramatist, writer, and certified sound bowl therapist. They married in 2008, with Sun adding a personal touch to the wedding by creating original comics and love songs. Since then, they have pursued their artistic and cultural journeys hand-in-hand.The couple advocate for animal rights and oppose pet trafficking. They have taken part in numerous rescue missions, saving abandoned and endangered cats and dogs—at one point raising ten cats and ten dogs simultaneously at home, all from the wild. In recent years, they have adopted a vegetarian lifestyle in pursuit of health and longevity.
Recent Developments
In 2020, Sun adopted a stage name in Chinese as he embarked on a new phase in career. In 2024, he and his wife organized theatre works and drama reading performances in a UK tour across 3 cities, handholding fledgling actors. Back in Hong Kong, he made his television debut in ViuTV's original program Be An Acting Star as acting instructor, and continued into 2025 with the historical TV series City of Light .In September 2025, Sun returned to the stage in Manchester, performing in a new original play written by his wife with both as joint directors, as part of the Hong Kong Stories • UK Stages 2025 theatre series.The same play was first performed as a reading in Kingston, England in November 2025.
Performances
Stage plays
Sun's stage repertoire in over a hundred productions spans a wide range of genres and characters.Performances abroad
Sun's stages beyond Hong Kong include cross-strait joint performances in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, other Asia locations and most recently the UK.| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
| 2000 | A Midsummer Night's Dream《仲夏夜之夢》 | Fairy | Taipei National Theatre |
| 2002 | Let Me Love Once《讓我愛一次》 | Ken | Macao Cultural Centre Small Theatre, Guangzhou Friendship Theatre |
| 2002 | Love in a Fallen City《新傾城之戀》 | Fan Liu-Yuan's subordinate | Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium |
| 2003 | Haunted Haunted Little Star《長髮幽靈》 | Film set uncle | Macao Cultural Centre Small Theatre |
| 2004 | Sweet & Sour Hong Kong《酸酸甜甜香港地》 | Ramen shop apprentice | Hangzhou Xiaoshan Theatre, Shanghai Tianchan Yifu Theatre |
| 2005 | Love in a Fallen City《新傾城之戀2005》 | Fan Liu-Yuan's subordinate | Shanghai Dramatic Arts Centre - Art Theatre |
| 2007 | Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land《暗戀桃花源》 | Lao Tao | Beijing Capital Theater |
| 2008 | Art《藝術》 | Yvan | Macao Cultural Centre Small Theatre |
| 2008 | De Ling and Empress Dowager Ci Xi《德齡與慈禧》 | The Masses | Beijng National Centre for the Performing Arts Drama Theatre |
| 2010 | A Flea in Her Ear《沉默是針》 | Victor-Emmanuel Chandebise | Guangzhou Guanglian Hall |
| 2011 | Boundless Movement《遍地芳菲》 | Yu Pei-Lun | Guangzhou Opera House Opera Hall |
| 2011 | Shed Skin Papa《脫皮爸爸》 | Suzuki Takuya | Guangdong Song & Dance Theatre Small Theatre |
| 2012 | I Have a Date with Autumn《我和秋天有個約會》 | Manager | Taipei Performance Art Theatre |
| 2014 | Shed Skin Papa《脫皮爸爸》 | Suzuki Takuya | Japan Nagakute Cultural Centre Wind Hall |
| 2014 | The Emperor, His Mom, a Eunuch and a Man《都是龍袍惹的禍》 | Servant | Guangzhou Performance Art Center Theatre No. 13 |
| 2015 | The Emperor, His Mom, a Eunuch and a Man《都是龍袍惹的禍》 | Servant | Beijng National Centre for the Performing Arts Drama Theatre, Shanghai Grand Theatre The Buick Theatre |
| 2016 | Hu XueYan, My Dear《親愛的・胡雪巖》 | Lai Lao-Si | Shanghai Tianchan Yifu Theatre |
| 2020 | Principle《原則》 | Discipline Master Choi Lam | Singapore Esplanade Theatres on the Bay Theatre Studio |
| 2024 | Principle《原則》UK Tour Reader's Theatre | Vice Principal Chan Yin | The United Kingdom: Nottingham, Kingston, Manchester |
| 2024-2025 | The Top Restaurant《天下第一樓》Shenzhen-Foshan-Suzhou-Beijing-Shanghai Tour | Wang Zi-Xi | Bay Opera of Shenzhen, Foshan Grand Theatre, Suzhou Bay Grand Theatre, Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Centre, Shanghai Oriental Art Centre |
| 2025 | Luncheon Meat on The Blue Danube《多瑙河上的午餐肉》 | Dumb boy | The Empty Space Theatre, Manchester, United Kingdom |
Play reading performances
Sun plays, organizes or creates Play reading programs as another form of theatre performance.| Year | Title | Remark |
| 2009 | Reader's Theatre—Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain《雪山飛狐》 | Hong Kong City Hall High Block Recital Hall |
| 2009 | Reader's Theatre—A Flea in Her Ear《橫衝直撞偷錯情》 | Hong Kong City Hall Recital Hall |
| 2009 | Reader's Theatre—Communicating Doors《2029追殺1989》 | Hong Kong City Hall Recital Hall |
| 2009 | Reader's Theatre—Bun in the Cave《敦煌．流沙．包》 | Hong Kong City Hall Recital Hall |
| 2010 | Reader's Theatre—Communicating Doors《2029追殺1989》 | Hong Kong Arts Centre Shouson Theatre |
| 2010 | Reader's Theatre—Dr. Tim Ding's Factory《全城熱爆搞大佢》 | Hong Kong City Hall Recital Hall |
| 2010 | Reader's Theatre—Death and the Maiden《不道德的審判》 | Hong Kong City Hall Recital Hall |
| 2012 | Reader's Theatre—Crumbled《危樓》 | Hong Kong City Hall Recital Hall |
| 2013 | Reader's Theatre—The Emperor, His Mom, a Eunuch and a Man《都是龍袍惹的禍》 | Hong Kong City Hall Recital Hall |
| 2014 | Doubt《最後疑問》 | Hong Kong City Hall Theatre |
| 2015 | Arthur Miller Reader's Theatre—The Crucible《嚴峻的考驗》 | Hong Kong Sha Tin Town Hall Exhibition Gallery |
| 2017 | African Plays Tasting Series: Over My Dead Body《拚死阻止》 | Hong Kong Kwai Tsing Theatre - Black Box Theatre |
| 2018 | Reader's Theatre—Blackbird《黑鳥》 | Hong Kong City Hall High Block Recital Hall |
| 2024 | Reader's Theatre—After Life《下一站，天國》 | Hong Kong City Hall High Block Recital Hall |
| 2024 | UK Tour Reader's Theatre－Principle《原則》 | United Kingdom: Nottingham, Kingston, Manchester |
| 2025 | Footprints in the Snow《一頁飛鴻》 Broadcasting Drama Excerpt: Scene 10 F, G | Online Broadcast by International Association of Theatre Critics |
| 2025 | Reader's Theatre－Luncheon Meat on The Blue Danube《多瑙河上的午餐肉》 | Kingston United Reformed Church, Kingston, United Kingdom |
Voice dubbing
Sun's iconic vocal performances were featured in some classic characters.| Year | Title | Character | Organization |
| 2003 | Finding Nemo 《海底奇兵》 | Crush | Walt Disney |
| 2005 | Madagascar 《荒失失奇兵》 | King Julien XIII | DreamWorks |
| 2017 | Cars Series 《反斗車王》系列 | Fillmore | Walt Disney |
| 2019 | The Addams Family 《愛登士家庭》 | Gomez Addams | Universal Pictures |
| 2021 | The Addams Family 2 《愛登士家庭2》 | Gomez Addams | Universal Pictures |
| 2021 | Encanto 《奇幻魔法屋》 | Agustin Madrigal | Walt Disney |
Behind-the-scenes
In addition to acting and coaching, Sun also works in various backstage roles.| Year | Title | Remark |
| 2002 | A Matter of 4x6《戀戀4x6》 | Story Creation |
| 2003 | Detective Women《女幹探》 | Story Creation |
| 2003 | Haunted Haunted Little Star《長髮幽靈》 | Assistant Director |
| 2007 | The Lost and Found Triology《三三不盡》 | Co-writer |
| 2008 | Playwright Scheme III Prospect Theatre《劇場裏的臥虎與藏龍III》Works exhibition/presentation | Director, Co-writer, Set Design, Lighting Design, Sound Design Costume Design |
| 2010 | Dr. Faustus《魔鬼契約》 | Lyrics |
| 2012 | I Have a Date with Autumn《我和秋天有個約會》 | Assistant Director |
| 2012 | A Bowlful of Kindness《有飯自然香》 | Assistant Director |
| 2015 | Wolf in the House《引狼入室》 | Assistant Director |
| 2017 | 《浮游》 | Director |
| 2018 | 《浮游》 | Director |
| 2018 | Blackbird《黑鳥》 | Director |
| 2019 | The Big Meal《盛宴》 | Assistant Director |
Drama education and talks
Sun is deeply committed to theatre education', and will continue to lead workshops and training sessions for aspiring actors in both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.| Year | Project Name |
| 2008 | Playwright Scheme III Prospects Theatre 《劇場裏的臥虎與藏龍III》Works exhibition/presentation |
| 2009 | Caligula《捕月魔君．卡里古拉》 |
| 2009 | Beautiful Connection《美麗連繫》 |
| 2009 | A Flea in Her Ear《橫衝直撞偷錯情》 |
| 2009 | Boundless Movement《遍地芳菲》 |
| 2009 | Bun in the Cave《敦煌．流沙．包》 |
| 2010 | Playwright Scheme V Prospects Theatre 《劇場裏的臥虎與藏龍V》Works exhibition/presentation |
| 2011 | The Troubles of Shed Skin Papa《脫皮爸爸》— Lecture on Understanding Dementia |
| 2011 | Drama Gallery Meet on Tuesdays: The Best State of An Actor ~ Sun Wai-Keung |
| 2012 | Arts Experience Scheme for Senior Secondary Students Scrooge (musical)《奇幻聖誕夜》Pre-performance talk and Performance |
| 2014 | 2013/14 Arts Experience Scheme for Senior Secondary Students The Soongs: By Dream Betrayed《如此長江》Pre-performance Talk and Performance |
| 2014 | 2013/14 Arts Experience Scheme for Senior Secondary Students Shed Skin Papa《脫皮爸爸》Performance and Post-performance Discussion |
Awards and Honors
Over the years, Sun has received 19 theatre nominations and five awards.| Year | Award Ceremony | Award | Work | Role | Result |
| 1998 | The 7th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | 《瘋雨狂居》 | John | Nomitated |
| 1999 | The 8th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | 《北京大爺》 | De Wen-Man | Nomitated |
| 2001 | The 10th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | An Absolute Turkey《一拍兩散偷錯情》 | Rédillon | Nomitated |
| 2003 | The 12th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | A Dream Like a Dream《如夢之夢》 | Young Wang De-Bao | Won |
| 2006 | The 15th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Actor | Whose Life Is It Anyway?《生殺之權》 | Ken Harrison | Won |
| 2007 | The 16th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Actor | A Flea in Her Ear《橫衝直撞偷錯情》 | Victor-Emmanuel Chandebise | Nomitated |
| 2007 | The 16th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Blindness《盲流感》 | The first blind man | Nomitated |
| 2008 | The 17th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Actor | Art《藝術》 | Yvan | Won |
| 2010 | The 19th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Actor | A Flea in Her Ear《橫衝直撞偷錯情》 | Victor-Emmanuel Chandebise | Nomitated |
| 2012 | The 21st Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Actor | Shed Skin Papa《脫皮爸爸》 | Suzuki Takuya | Won |
| 2016 | The 10th Chinese Drama Festival | Outstanding Performance Award | Footprints in the Snow《一頁飛鴻》 | Sheung Ying-Fai | Won |
| 2017 | The 26th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Actor | Footprints in the Snow《一頁飛鴻》 | Sheung Ying-Fai | Nomitated |
| 2017 | The 26th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Actor | Whose Wife Is It Anyway?《誰家老婆上錯床》 | 楊世洲委員 | Nomitated |
| 2017 | The 26th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Hu XueYan, My Dear《親愛的・胡雪巖》 | Lai Lao-Si | Nomitated |
| 2019 | The 28th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Actor | Die Firma dankt《公司感謝您》 | Krusenstern | Nomitated |
| 2019 | The 28th Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Principle《原則》 | Discipline Master Choi Lam | Nomitated |
| 2019 | The 3rd Chinese Theatre Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Marriage《結婚》 | Nakahara Taisuke | Nomitated |
| 2023 | Chinese Theatre Awards | Best Supporting Actor | The Top Restaurant《天下第一樓》 | Wang Zi-Xi | Nomitated |
| 2025 | The 33rd Hong Kong Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | The Doctor《醫・道》 | Roger Hardiman | Nomitated |