Joo Seong-chi comic combination of’Shaolin Football’, Hong Kong film actor Oh Meng-dal dies

Hong Kong actor Wu Meng-da (吳孟達, Oh Meng-dal), who was popular in combination with Zhou Xingz (59) in a Hong Kong comic action movie in the 1990s, died on the 27th. 70 years old. Foreign media such as Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that he died in the presence of his family and relatives as his illness worsened after fighting liver cancer.

Umenda appeared in more than 100 movies in his lifetime, but the most widely known work in Korea is’Shaolin Football’ (2001). In this film, which is also the directorial debut of Zhou Xingz, he played the role of former star player Myung Bong, who has become obsolete, and introduced the extraordinary Shaolin soccer team training course. It is counted as a representative of the so-called’Byeongmat’ and’B-class’ movies, but in 2001, it was ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong box office with a casual laugh code and quirky CG processing. At the 21st Hong Kong Gold Awarded Film Festival in 2002, he won 7 categories including Best Works and Director Awards.

Umenda was born in Xiamen, China in 1951 and moved to Hong Kong with her family at the age of 5. In 1973, he started acting on TVB, a Hong Kong TV station, with Zhou Runpa (周潤發, Joo Yunbal) and Run Dahua (Im Dalhwa). His screen debut was’Gyeongmang Ssangwoong’. It is a film starring Zhou Runpa and Li Xu Xian (Lee Soo-hyun). Since then, it has already gained popularity in the 80s with his comical yet solid acting skills.

At that time, he fell in love with alcohol, gambling, and was owed a large debt of HK$300,000. As a popular person, he couldn’t tell his family because he had a face, so he asked his friend Zhou Runpa to give him money, but he was rejected. In an interview during his lifetime, Umenda said, “It was a time when he was doing well, but he refused without a reason. I was angry, but I filed for bankruptcy countless times and worked hard. Later, I was grateful that the Zhourunpa didn’t lend the money.”

In fact, when looking at his filmography in the 90s, he shot several films without skipping any limits. In particular, starting with the’Doseong’ series, he showed off his best friend by acting as a villain and assistant in numerous Zhou Xingz movies such as’West Yugi Moonlight Bohap’,’West Yugi Sunli Giyeon’ and’Comic Ji King’. As there were no more accompanying appearances after’Shaolin Football’, the two’s disagreement broke out among fans. In a TV interview in China earlier this month, Wu Mengda said, “I haven’t died and Zhou Xingz hasn’t retired, so will there be another chance?” His last movie appearance was the 2019 science fiction blockbuster’Wandering Earth’.

At the news of his death, the Zhou Runpa expressed his condolences, saying, “He went to a place without pain and worry.” Zhou Xingz also said, “He has been my partner and friend for a long time. I heard that he was sick, but the news of his death was shocking.” Ryu De-hwa (劉德華·Yoo Deok-hwa), who appeared in’The Heavenly Earth’ (1990), said, “I hope there is no sickness and no worries.” Umenda won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 10th Hong Kong Gold Awarded Film Festival for her role as Pasuk guarding two lovers in’The Heavenly Earth’ starring Liu Dehwa and Wu Chenlen.

Reporter Kang Hye-ran [email protected]