According to the South China Morning Postthe 67-year-old posted a video on Jan. 13 sharing her views on retirement. In the video, Chen said: “Once a person becomes idle, they start overthinking, which hastens the aging process.”

She added that this lack of activity can even lead to conflicts between couples, advising young people not to pursue early retirement but instead to find work they genuinely enjoy. Staying engaged through work, she said, helps her maintain mental sharpness and a youthful mindset.

“My team consists of young people who could be my grandchildren,” Chen said. “Collaborating with them keeps me feeling youthful and mentally agile.”

The clip quickly went viral and triggered widespread discussion online.

Chen’s supporters hailed her, with one entrepreneur in her 50s saying that work provides a sense of purpose and motivation to keep improving, echoing Chen’s views.

“Madam Heung [Chen] is my life mentor,” this person wrote. “Work keeps me in a state of ‘being needed,’ and this mindset drives continuous progress.”

Critics, however, questioned whether Chen’s advice reflects the realities faced by most young people. One netizen argued that her views come from a position of wealth and privilege, noting that many workers endure intense pressure simply to make ends meet.

“Many individuals find it hard to embrace work the way she does,” the commenter wrote.

Hong Kong does not impose a mandatory retirement age. According to The Standarda survey by global consultancy McKinsey & Company conducted in July 2025 found that while two-thirds of residents expect to retire after age 60, about 20% anticipate working beyond 65.

Another survey published by the T. Rowe Price Hong Kong Retirement Survey in August 2025 showed that about 52% of respondents said they do not plan to retire at 65. Among them, roughly 80% said they would prefer not to retire at all or would opt for a “micro-retirement,” taking several months to a few years off before returning to work. Many respondents in both surveys cited concerns about insufficient retirement savings.

Chen is the second wife of the 78-year-old Heung, who founded Win’s Entertainment in the 1980s and later established China Star Entertainment, a leading Hong Kong–listed production company credited with helping launch the careers of film icons such as Jet Li, Chow Yun Fat, Stephen Chow, Andy Lau and Johnnie To, according to Variety.

In 2022, Heung’s net worth was estimated at US$1.2 billion.

The couple share two sons, and Chen made headlines last month after announcing that she had excluded her children’s names from her finalized will.