“The issue is no longer about whether I cut my fee,” he said. “Even if I do, no one is investing in films.”

Speaking at the recent annual meeting of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, where he serves as president, Koo expressed concern over the industry’s decline.

He has worked with authorities to seek solutions and has voluntarily lowered his salary, but funding remains scarce, according to The Economic Observer.

With tight budgets, producers are forced to cut costs, often working with minimal resources.

Although member companies of the federation aimed to produce eight films over the past two years, only four were completed.

Hong Kong producer Tin Kai Man echoed Koo’s concerns, describing the industry as nearly “frozen.”

He added that actor Sean Lau, who won Best Actor at the Asian Film Awards for his performance in “Papa”, also reduced his fee to help projects move forward.

A prolonged lack of funding has driven many film workers to leave the industry, with some switching to jobs as delivery drivers, ride-hailing app drivers, or insurance agents, Tin said.

Koo, 54, began his acting career in television series produced by TVB, gaining fame through roles in “The Condor Heroes” (1995), “Detective Investigation Files IV” (1999), and “A Step into the Past” (2001).

His work in TVB dramas during the late 1990s helped him build a significant following in Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, and Southeast Asia.

Since 2001, Koo has focused on his film career and has become a key figure in the Hong Kong film industry.