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Will Or
Will Or
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Will Or Wai-lam (Chinese: 柯煒林, born 22 January 1992) is a Hong Kong actor best known for his role in the drama film Drifting (2021), for which he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in the 58th Golden Horse Awards and both Best Supporting Actor and Best New Performer in the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards.

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

Or was born in 1992 in Hong Kong.[1] He attended and studied creative media at City University of Hong Kong, but quit before obtaining a degree to pursue an acting career in 2018.[2]

Or featured in several short films during his university years, including the award-winning Why Don't We Share Our Solitude (Chinese:如霧起時).[3][4] In 2015, Or wrote and directed To Absent Friends (Chinese:從缺), a short film enlisted in the Fresh Wave Festival,[2] and made his film debut in the 2016 drama film Weeds on Fire.[1][5] He then appeared in several films with minor roles, before starring in ViuTV drama series Till Death Do Us Part as Yan-kei and Leap Day as Jonathan, which the latter role had earned him widespread acclaim.[6][7]

In 2021, Or was cast to star alongside Francis Ng in the drama film Drifting, which he received a Golden Horse Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor and Hong Kong Film Awards nominations for both Best Supporting Actor and Best New Performer.[1][8]

Or landed his first major television role as Oscar in ViuTV drama series Beyond the Common Ground in 2023, starring alongside Chiu Sin Hang, Ivy So, and Vincent Kok.[9][10]

Personal life

[edit]

Or announced in July 2025 that he had stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the lung.[11]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2016 Weeds on Fire Bullshit (牛屎) [1]
2018 No.1 Chung Ying Street [zh] Hoi (阿凱) [12]
2020 Apart [zh-yue] Wa Kwok Yin (華國賢) [13]
2021 Drifting Muk (木仔) [1]
Anita Remus Choy [12]
The First Girl I Loved Sylvia's boyfriend [12]
2022 Sing 2 Darius Cantonese voice dub[14]
Far Far Away Tai-tung (大同) [15]
2023 One More Chance Lee Yeung (李陽) [16]
The Goldfinger Ng Chi Fai (吳志輝) [17]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2016 3X1 Jack 1 episode[12]
2018 VR Exorcist [zh] Aidan 2 episodes[18]
Guardian Angel Jeff 1 episode[19]
2019 Till Death Do Us Part [zh] Yan-kei (昕頎) Recurring role[20]
2020 Leap Day Jonathan Recurring role[7]
2023 Beyond the Common Ground [zh] Oscar Main role[9]
Food Buddies [zh] Benjamin Yuen Main role[21]
Sparks [zh] Lam Bak Wai (林百威) Recurring role[22]
2024 Expats Tony Guest role[23]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2021 58th Golden Horse Awards Best Supporting Actor Drifting Nominated [24]
2021 Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award Best Actor Nominated [25]
2021 40th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Supporting Actor Nominated [26]
Best New Performer Nominated

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Will Or Wai-lam (Chinese: 柯煒林; born 22 January 1992) is a Hong Kong actor recognized for his breakout performance in the drama film Drifting (2021), which earned him nominations for Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards, as well as a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 58th Golden Horse Awards. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Or left college to pursue acting, debuting in smaller roles before gaining acclaim for portraying complex characters in independent and arthouse cinema. His filmography includes notable works such as Weeds on Fire (2016), No. 1 Chung Ying Street (2018), The Goldfinger (2023), A Foggy Tale (2024), and Good Game (2025), often highlighting themes of resilience and urban life in Hong Kong. In May 2025, Or was diagnosed with stage 4 , a form of non-small cell , which he publicly disclosed in July 2025 via . The diagnosis led him to withdraw from his debut stage production, Let Me Entertain You, scheduled at the Academy for Performing Arts from August to October 2025. He has been managing the condition through , describing it as a "best-case scenario" that allows him to continue some professional activities without aggressive treatments. Or has expressed a of amid his challenges, stating that "accepting I may lose makes me fearless," while emphasizing the emotional toll of constant vigilance against the illness. His openness about the diagnosis has raised awareness about screening in , particularly among non-smokers at risk.

Personal life

Early life and education

Will Or was born on January 22, 1992, in , with the Chinese name 柯煒林 (Kē Wěi-lín). Raised in the city, he developed an early connection to its vibrant cultural scene, though details about his family background remain limited. Or pursued higher education at , where he majored in Creative Media. This program provided him with foundational training in , , and media production, aligning with his emerging interests in creative storytelling. During his university years, Or participated in multiple editions of the Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival, taking on roles as both an and director. These experiences marked his initial exposure to the Hong Kong film industry, offering hands-on opportunities to collaborate with emerging talents and showcase short works. Or left university to transition into a professional acting career.

Health challenges

In July 2025, at the age of 33, actor Will Or announced his diagnosis of stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell , following a persistent that began in late May and led to diagnostic tests including a . The revelation, shared via on July 30, came as a profound shock to Or and his supporters, given the disease's rarity in young, otherwise healthy individuals without established risk factors like smoking. The diagnosis prompted Or to withdraw from his debut stage production, Let Me Entertain You, a 50-performance run scheduled from August 8 to October 4, 2025, at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, after medical advice deemed it necessary amid ongoing targeted therapy. This decision marked a significant interruption to his burgeoning theater ambitions, forcing a temporary suspension of all professional commitments until his condition stabilizes. Or has been managing the condition through targeted therapy, which he described as a "best-case scenario" allowing him to continue some professional activities without aggressive treatments. In public statements, Or conveyed raw frustration and emotional turmoil, admitting, "It would be a lie to say I’m not [emotional] and don’t want to curse the heavens and the entire world," while drawing strength from family support, expressing fierce determination to battle the illness, and sharing a philosophy of acceptance: "accepting I may lose makes me fearless," despite the emotional toll of constant vigilance.

Career

Early career

After leaving his studies in creative media at without obtaining a degree, Will Or entered 's film industry around 2016 to pursue acting full-time. This decision marked a significant shift from academia to professional performance, driven by his earlier involvement in short films during university, such as his debut in As the Fog Rises. As a newcomer with a background in creative media rather than formal acting training, Or navigated the competitive landscape of cinema, where opportunities for young talents were limited by established networks and a shrinking local production scene. Or's screen debut came in the sports drama Weeds on Fire (2016), directed by Chan Chi-fat, where he portrayed Tung, a supporting member of the underdog Shatin Martins youth baseball team inspired by real events from . The film, which highlighted themes of perseverance amid adversity, provided Or with his first substantial exposure in a backed by the First Feature Film Initiative. Following this, he took on minor supporting roles in independent films, including Kai in the political drama No. 1 Chung Ying Street (2018), directed by Derek Chiu, which drew parallels between the and contemporary protests through a black-and-white . In 2020, Or appeared as Yin in the drama Apart, further building his resume with roles that emphasized character-driven stories in low-budget local productions. In parallel with his film work, Or made guest appearances in early television dramas, often in minor or supporting capacities that allowed him to hone his skills across genres. Notable among these were his role as Jack in the ViuTV 3 X 1 (2016), a 56-episode production exploring diverse life stories, and Jeff in the action thriller Guardian Angel (2018), a 36-episode series involving protection and intrigue. Additional brief parts included episodes of Elite Brigade IV (2018) and VR Exorcist (2018), where he appeared in segments blending with elements. These television gigs, typically on platforms like ViuTV, offered steady but modest work for emerging actors like Or, contrasting the irregularity of film opportunities. The challenges of breaking into the industry as a newcomer were particularly acute for Or, given Hong Kong's sector's reliance on personal connections and the economic pressures post-2010s decline in local attendance. Transitioning from creative to on-screen roles required self-funding auditions and stage productions while facing rejection in a market dominated by co-productions. Despite these hurdles, Or's persistence in minor roles across and TV before positioned him for greater recognition in subsequent projects.

Breakthrough with Drifting

Will Or's breakthrough came with his portrayal of Muk, an enigmatic mute homeless youth, in the 2021 Hong Kong social drama Drifting, directed by Jun Li. The film draws from true events, specifically a 2012 court case in which 19 homeless individuals in Hong Kong's impoverished sued the government for an apology after being displaced by a clearance operation, receiving only meager compensation. Set against the backdrop of 's street sleepers facing , police removals, and societal neglect, Drifting explores themes of community and survival among the homeless, with Muk forming a poignant father-son-like bond with the lead character Ho Kei Fai. Or's performance as Muk garnered critical acclaim for its nuanced emotional depth conveyed entirely through non-verbal means, relying on physical and subtle expressions to evoke the character's and resilience. Critics highlighted how Or, an emerging talent, impressed in this challenging role, bringing authenticity to Muk's silent presence amid the film's depiction of hardship, including use and fleeting moments of camaraderie. As part of the , Or complemented veterans like as Fai and as Master, enhancing the group's dynamic portrayal of a tight-knit drifter community. The role marked a pivotal elevation in Or's career, transitioning him from lesser-known supporting parts to a recognized figure in cinema, evidenced by nominations for Best Supporting Actor at the 58th Golden Horse Awards and both Best New Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the .

Subsequent works

Following his breakthrough performance in Drifting, which influenced his subsequent role selections toward characters exploring social and personal struggles, Will Or diversified into supporting and leading parts across genres like legal drama, romance, , , and television. In 2021, Or appeared as Choi Yat-Kit, a member of the band , in the biopic Anita, which chronicled the life of Cantopop icon . Later that year, he took on a guest role as a prisoner in the Hong Kong legal thriller , directed by Wong Kwok-Fai, where he contributed to the film's depiction of and in a high-stakes narrative. His television presence grew in 2023 with a main role as Oscar in the ViuTV drama series Beyond the Common Ground, a 15-episode of urban youth and relationships, marking his first major TV lead. That year, he also made guest appearances in episodes 2 and 18 of a 29-episode Hong Kong TV series, showcasing his versatility in ensemble casts. Or's film work in 2023–2024 shifted toward intimate, character-driven stories, including a supporting role as Ng Chi-fai in the crime drama The Goldfinger (2023), a supporting role as Wyman Chan in the Taiwanese drama The Chronicles of Libidoists (2024), directed by Yang Ya-che, which allegorically examines desire, identity, and human connection through intertwined lives. He earned acclaim for his leading performance in the historical drama A Foggy Tale (2025), directed by Chen Yu-hsun and set during Taiwan's White Terror era, where he portrayed a complex figure in a tale of friendship, loss, and resistance; the film led nominations with 11 nods at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards, including Best Leading Actor for Or. In 2025, Or starred in the esports comedy Good Game, directed by Dickson Leung, playing a key member of an underdog gaming team navigating family, friendship, and competition in 's digital scene, blending humor with themes of generational bonds. He also appeared in 14 episodes of the supernatural TV series Oh No, I Gotta Ghost Bust!, a 20-episode about a fallen master battling spirits, further demonstrating his range in comedic and fantastical elements. However, Or's stage 4 diagnosis, which he publicly disclosed in July 2025, led him to drop out of his debut stage production Let Me Entertain You, scheduled at the Hong Kong Academy for from August to October 2025, pausing some upcoming commitments amid ongoing treatment.

Filmography

Films

Will Or's film credits, encompassing feature films and select short films where he is credited as an actor, are presented below in chronological order. Release years are based on initial theatrical or festival releases, with roles and brief descriptors drawn from production credits.
YearTitleRoleDirector
2016Weeds on FireTung (supporting baseball player)Charlie Yu
2018No. 1 Chung Ying StreetKai (supporting triad member)Derek Chiu
2020ApartYin (lead role)Unknown
2021The AttorneyPrisoner (minor role)Mau Kong-Kwok
2021DriftingMuk (supporting drifter)Jun Li
2021The First Girl I LovedSylvia's boyfriend (supporting role)Carol Lai
2021Far Far AwayWong Dai Tung (supporting role)Soi Cheang
2021AnitaRemus Choy, Grasshopper band member (supporting musician)Lok Man Leung
20223:01 AM (short film)Lead role (unnamed protagonist)Unknown
2023One More ChanceLei Yeung / Li Yang (son of Lei Jik, supporting family member)Anthony Pun
2023Tales from the Occult: Ultimate MalevolenceSupporting role (anthology segment)Chi-Leung Law, Chi-kin Yau
2023The GoldfingerSupporting role (business associate)Felix Chong
2024The Chronicles of LibidoistsWyman Chan (lead role)Lai Miu-Kei
2025A Foggy TaleZhao Gongdao, rickshaw driver (lead role)Tam Wai-ching
2025Good GameSolo (lead esports player)Dickson Leung
Short films from the Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival represent early student-era credits during his time at City University of 's School of Creative Media.

Television

Will Or's television career has been limited compared to his film work, featuring primarily supporting and guest roles in Hong Kong dramas and variety programs, with no major leading roles in extended series. His appearances span from 2016 to 2025, mostly on ViuTV, focusing on episodic contributions rather than ongoing commitments. The following table lists his television credits in chronological order:
YearSeriesRoleEpisodes/DetailsNetworkFormat
20163 X 1JackSupport roleViuTVDrama series (56 episodes total)
2018JeffUnknown role detailsViuTVDrama series (36 episodes total)
2018Elite Brigade IVUnspecifiedSupporting roleViuTVDrama series (10 episodes total)
2018VR ExorcistUnspecifiedEpisodes 15-16ViuTVDrama series (20 episodes total)
2019Till Death Do Us PartUnspecifiedUnknown role detailsViuTVDrama series (30 episodes total)
2020Talker: Chit Chat DrinkGuestEpisode 92ViuTVVariety (137 episodes total)
2020Leap DayJonathanUnknown role detailsViuTVDrama series (10 episodes total)
2023The Popcorn Show Season 2GuestEpisodes 2 and 18ViuTVVariety TV show (29 episodes total)
2023SparksLam Bak Wai (Pak Wai)Main roleViuTVDrama series (20 episodes total)
2023Food Buddies ("BJ")Main roleViuTVDrama series (15 episodes total)
2023Beyond the Common GroundOscarMain roleViuTVDrama series (15 episodes total)
2023–2024ExpatsTony Ng2 episodesPrime VideoMiniseries
2025City of LightUnspecifiedSupporting roleViuTVDrama series (10 episodes total)
2025Oh No, I Gotta Ghost Bust!UnspecifiedSupporting roleViuTVDrama series (20 episodes total)

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
2021Golden Horse AwardsBest Supporting ActorDriftingNominated
2022Hong Kong Film AwardsBest New PerformerDriftingNominated
2022Hong Kong Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorDriftingNominated
2025Golden Horse AwardsBest Leading ActorA Foggy TaleNominated

References

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