A beloved veteran actor, Louis Koo Tin-lok has had an incredible three-decade career, with appearances in some of the best movies and TV shows of our time. Having worked with some of the brightest, top-billed A-listers in the Hong Kong film and entertainment industry — from Jackie Chan and Cecilia Cheung to Donnie Yen and Tony Leung — the actor, singer, and producer shows no signs of stopping.
At 53, Louis Koo can best be described as a veteran amongst Hong Kong’s finest actors, with a massive portfolio of movies and TV shows to behold with pride. With several upcoming projects in the pipeline — action film The Trier of Fact by director Tong Wai-hon and thriller film Sons of the Neon Night by director Juno Mak among others, Koo’s filmography continues to burgeon well into his third decade in film.
From humble beginnings as a modelling agent and model for advertisements and karaoke videos, Louis Koo has more than made his mark since debuting on TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited) in 1993. A household name with global recognition, Koo has featured prominently across TV drama productions and beyond as one of the most recognisable faces of the industry. In celebrating his extraordinary career, we look at some of the best performances, movies, and TV shows of Louis Koo Tin-lok to date.
What is Louis Koo known for?
While Louis Koo first became known for his stellar portrayal of cool and aloof characters in action drama shows and movies, he has since broken free of his initial typecasting. To date, Koo has successfully performed in roles encompassing comedy and romance, even appearing in romantic comedies like La Brassiere and Naked Ambition.
In 2004, Koo flexed his acting skills by appearing in Throw Down as Sze-to Bo, a despondent drunkard and former judo champion grappling with a hereditary eye disease. The movie premiered at the 61st Venice International Film Festival, highlighting a significant departure from Koo’s previous projects, which had covered more commercially lucrative genres.
As an actor, Koo is renowned for his iconic tan and striking good looks, both qualities that have helped to solidify his ‘bad boy persona’, paving the way to his casting in numerous crime and thriller dramas. His work ethic is unrivaled; he famously performed most of his action sequences himself for Paradox (2017).
In 2013, Koo founded One Cool Group Limited, which went on to produce over 20 films. For his work as a producer, Koo drew inspiration from his childhood passions — Star Wars films were his particular favourite as a boy. Displaying foresight, Koo made the decision to purchase several visual effects and prosthetic make-up companies, anticipating the rise of sci-fi films on the easterly front. In 2021, One Cool Group Limited joined hands with Media Asia, forming a new company, Cool Style, with additional business scopes like artist management and other related businesses.
Koo’s work has since expanded beyond the region. In 2021, the actor executive produced two Hollywood animated films, The Mitchells vs. The Machines and Vivo, which received a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 94th Academy Awards. He also executive produced The Garfield Movie, which was released earlier this year, in May.
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Year: 1995
Episodes: 32
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Adapted from Louis Cha’s novel The Return of the Condor Heroes, The Condor Heroes 95 is a Wuxia drama series that premiered on TVB Jade in 1995. Set in mid 13th century China during the Southern Song Dynasty, the series follows orphan Yeung Guo (portrayed by Koo) in his quest to find a prestigious master from which to learn martial arts. Amid his adventures and misadventures, Yeung Guo meets and falls in love with Siu Lung Nui (portrayed by Carman Lee), who eventually becomes his martial arts master and the love of his life.
(Image: mydramalist.com)
Year: 1996
Episodes: 65
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
A crime thriller and romantic drama series that aired on TVB Jade in 1996, Cold Blood Warm Heart follows the lives of the Tsui and Yip families, centring upon the relationship between adopted brothers Tsui Wing-pong (Adam Cheng) and Tsui Ka-lap (Gallen Lo). Wing-pong is the biological son of the Yip family patriarch who heads the Yip family bank. When Wing-pong is falsely accused of murder, it is revealed that he had been set up by Ka-lap, who had committed many crimes with the support of the Yip family. Consequently, Wing-pong embarks on a mission to unearth the dark past and dangerous secrets of of the Yip family.
Year: 1998
Episodes: 43
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Shondaland’s Station 19 meets TVB in Burning Flame, which follows a group of firefighters at Pat Heung Academy and the difficult situations they face in their line of work. In the drama, Koo portrays Lau Hoi Pak, the son of a rich man who is forced to become a firefighter when his father refuses to provide for him. The show features an ensemble cast that includes some of TVB’s top talent: Wong Hei, Esther Kwan, Waise Lee, Jade Leung, Chin Ka Lok, Joe Cheng, and Joe Ma.
Year: 1999
Episodes: 20
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
In Man’s Best Friend, Louis Koo portrays Tai Jin Shek, a dog lover who does not get along with his veterinarian neighbour, Man Wing Long (portrayed by Jessica Hester Hsuan). When the latter’s dog goes missing, she quickly accuses Jin Shek of the crime, further deepening the rift between them. Things soon change when Wing Long’s friend Au Ji San (portrayed by Sammi Cheng) moves in and forms a connection with Jin Shek, causing a shift in their neighbourly dynamics.
Year: 1999
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
In Sealed with a Kiss, Koo steps into the shoes of Kam Shui, a mute man who runs an inn on Peng Chau Island just off Hong Kong. The romantic drama centres the Shui’s relationship with his tomboy best friend Angel (portrayed by Su Au), and a newcomer to the island in search of a new beginning, Mandy (portrayed by Yoyo Mung).
Year: 2001
Episodes: 39
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Playing into Koo’s love of science fiction, A Step into the Past is a historical Wuxia series that follows the adventures of 21st-century VIPPU Inspector Hong Siu-lung (portrayed by Koo). Depressed and dejected after breaking up with his girlfriend of seven years, Chun Ching, Hong joins a secret time travelling experiment by wealthy businessman Lee Siu-chiu and Doctor Wu Yau in the hopes of salvaging his failed relationship. However, fate intervenes, leaving Hong trapped in the Zhao state of the Warring States period in 250 BC.
Year: 2003
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Directed by Derek Yee, Lost in Time is a drama film that follows Siu Wai (portrayed by Cecelia Cheung) as she takes over her the minibus business of her deceased fiance, Ah Man (portrayed by Koo) to support his young son, Lok Lok. As Siu Wai attempts to succeed in the difficult business, she befriends Dai Fai (portrayed by Ching Wan Lau), another minibus driver who witnessed the accident that killed Ah Man. Dai Fai eventually falls in love with Siu Wai, but will she accept his love when her heart belongs to one dead and gone?
Year: 2005
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Debuting at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival under the “Official Selection” banner, Election is a crime thriller that follows two gang leaders Big D (portrayed by Tony Leung Ka-fai) and Lok (portrayed by Simon Yam) as they engage in a power struggle to take over a Hong Kong triad, Wo Lin Shing. Directed by Johnnie To, the movie was widely well-received, winning Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor for Tony Leung Ka-fai at the 25th Hong Kong Film Awards.
Year: 2006
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
In Election 2, Koo reprises his role as Jimmy, a member of the Hong Kong triad Wo Lin Shing. Following up on the events of the first film, Election 2 opens to triad chairman Lok (portrayed by Simon Yam) who is seeking re-election for an unprecedented second term. However, Lok’s plans hit a snag when Jimmy emerges as a strong candidate to assume the chairman position, with his candidacy further backed by the triad elders. Through a thrilling sequence of events, Jimmy and Lok enter an exhilarating, political, and violent fight to the finish — upon which the winner takes all.
Incorporating themes of corruption within the police force of Mainland China, the film features strong political undertones, leading Stephen Teo, author of Director in Action: Johnnie To and the Hong Kong Action Film (2007) to write that “Election 2 is the most directly political film made in Hong Kong in the post-97 era.”
Year: 2007
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Boasting an incredible ensemble cast of Hong Kong’s top performers, from Andy Lau and Daniel Wu to Anita Yuen and Louis Koo himself, Protégé is a crime drama film produced in collaboration between Hong Kong and Singapore. The movie follows undercover officer Nick (portrayed by Daniel Wu) as he navigates the core of a drug ring, where he has spent the past seven years working his way up from street dealer to management under the tutelage of Kwan, the biggest player in the local market. When Kwan names Nick his protégé, Nick must grapple with his growing desire for money and power, which are at odds with his identity as an agent of the law.
Year: 2009
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Directed by Alan Mak and Felix Chong, Overheard is a crime thriller film first released on July 30 2009. The movie follows a trio of police officers: Inspector Leung (portrayed by Lau Ching-wan), Yeung (portrayed by Koo), and Lam (portrayed by Daniel Wu) as they perform surveillance on a trading company for signs of market manipulation. Harbouring their own secrets and tragedies, the trio find themselves entrenched in the dirty tactics of underground trading and stock market exploits, with the climax of the film throwing their survival into question. At the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards, Overheard received nominations for Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor for Lau Ching-Wan, and Best Supporting Actor for Alex Fong; it also won the award for Best Film Editing.
Year: 2012
IMDb rating: 7.0/10
Yet another action thriller by director and producer Johnnie To, Drug War centres on a collaboration between Police Captain Zhang (portrayed by Sun Honglei) and drug lord Timmy Choi (portrayed by Koo) after the latter is arrested. While Choi agrees to give up information about his associates and their drug ring to avoid the death penalty, his honesty and loyalty are both called into question. A thrilling depiction of the dark underbelly of drug rings and law enforcement, Drug War was well received among critics. Premiering at the Rome Film Festival on November 15 2012, it went on to win Best Foreign Language Film from the San Diego Film Critics Society, as well as Best Film and Best Director at the 14th Chinese Film Media Awards.
Year: 2015
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
A touching tale of loyalty, kindship, and humanity, Little Big Master takes inspiration from the true story of Lilian Lui (portrayed by Miriam Yeung), former headmistress at an elite Discovery Bay kindergarten with big dreams of retiring to travel the world with her husband Alvin Tse (portrayed by Koo). However, Lui has a change of heart when she learns that Yuen Tin Kindergarten in Yuen Long is bound for closure with only five students left. Despite receiving a monthly salary of only HKD 4,500, Lui single-handedly stays to educate the five remaining students, and in the process rekindles her passion for education. The movie was critically acclaimed, grossing HKD 46.6 million at the Hong Kong box office and becoming 2015’s highest-grossing domestic film of the territory.
Year: 2021
IMDb rating: 7.0/10
In Anita, a biographical musical drama that depicts the life of Cantopop star Anita Mui, Louis Koo portrays fashion designer Eddie Lau. Lau, who famously designed haute couture and stage costumes for Mui during her life, also shared a close friendship with the star. The movie tells the tale of Mui’s life beginning from her childhood up until her death from cervical cancer in 2003.
Year: 2024
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Premiering on May 1 2024, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In was also shown at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, where it was selected to be featured as part of the Official Selection. The movie, a neo-noir martial arts crime action film, features an incredible ensemble cast including Louis Koo, Sammo Hung, Richie Jen, Raymond Lam, Terrence Lau, and Kenny Wong among others.
Based on City of Darkness, a novel by Yuyi, as well as an eponymous manhua by Andy Seto, the movie follows a troubled youth Chan Lok-kwun (portrayed by Raymond Lam) who accidentally finds himself in the notorious Kowloon Walled City. There, he meets a local crime lord Cyclone (portrayed by Koo), whose iron fist and authority within the walled city is tempered by compassion. The movie was critically acclaimed, becoming Hong Kong’s second highest-grossing domestic film of all time by grossing USD 95.3 million in box office sales.
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(Main and featured images: Louis Koo/Instagram)
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