Former Hong Kong television star Dickson Lee Ka Sing has traded the neon lights of Hong Kong for the sea breeze of Batu Ferringhi. The 59-year-old actor, once a familiar face on TVB screens throughout the 1990s and 2000s, has been living quietly in Penang since 2019.
Lee left the entertainment industry in 2018 after more than three decades in front of the camera. A year later, he and his wife Judy Cheng relocated to Penang through the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme. The couple now live in a 1,100-square-foot sea-view apartment in Batu Ferringhi, which Lee purchased for HK$1.5 million (approximately RM780,000).
According to The Star, the move came after an unexpected detour. Lee and his wife had travelled to Penang for a short holiday following an injury. What began as a brief getaway turned into a life-changing decision. The couple fell in love with the island’s laid-back rhythm and never looked back.
Recent photos of Lee circulating on social media have caught the attention of fans across Southeast Asia. Many noted that the actor has aged gracefully, appearing more relaxed and content than during his busy Hong Kong years. He now spends his days fishing at sea, exploring local food spots, and, as hype.my reported, indulging in durians.
Lee has spoken openly about why Penang felt like home. The lower cost of living compared to Hong Kong was a practical draw, but the cultural connection sealed it. Many Penangites are devoted TVB drama fans and speak fluent Cantonese, removing any language barrier the actor might have faced elsewhere in Malaysia.
“Malaysians love watching TVB dramas, and many can speak fluent Cantonese, so there are no language barriers. I’m really enjoying this simple retirement life,” Lee said in a previous interview.
Lee joined TVB’s artist training class in 1986 and built a career spanning some of the network’s most memorable productions. He appeared in Plain Love II, Gods Of Honour, and OL Supreme. His performance in the 2005 drama The Academy earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the TVB Anniversary Awards that year.
From a bustling showbiz career in Hong Kong to quiet mornings by the sea in Batu Ferringhi, Dickson Lee’s Penang chapter is a reminder that sometimes the best role is the one you write for yourself.
