Young girls funnel into the narrow channels of the entertainment world, and only the best like Michelle Yim can survive.
There is a good song called “The Green Leaves of Summer”:
A time to be reaping
A time to be sowing
The green leaves of summer are calling me home
That was so good to be young then, to be close to the earth
Now the green leaves of summer are calling me home
“That was so good to be young then” is a saying always on my mind. It is good to be young. It is better not to get old. But, it is best to look young when you are old!
The acting star Michelle Yim (米雪) is a miracle! She is not young but looks super young, without any apparent trace of cosmetic surgery.
Michelle Yim Wai-Ling (嚴惠玲) was born in 1955. She is 70 years old and has been in the entertainment business for 55 years! She looks like being in her 30s! She is a well-known versatile actress who is able to sing and act. She can even master both Cantonese opera and Western musicals. She graduated from the good St Rose of Lima’s College and went to join Shaw Brothers’ Training School. Her partner Wan Chi Keung (尹志強) who was a successful football player passed away in 2010. She said, “I am alright to be single and will not find another man. I enjoy working and helping others” In her career, she won numerous acting awards. 90% of the actresses of her seniority have faded away, overstayed their welcome or look terribly old. Michelle outshines everyone else and stands above the kind.
Celebrating her 55 years in entertainment industry, Michelle just held a concert with the name “Michelle Yim 55th Anniversary Party Concert” (“友你有米55派對騷”) at MacPherson Stadium, Mongkok. I went to the show. Two observations are interesting.
The “silver economy” is becoming more and more powerful in Hong Kong. The important demographic shift here is that the average age of people here is about 48. Many will become older. The situation balances the economic realities of a shrinking workforce with the booming commercial opportunities of an active aging population. Unsurprisingly, the concert audience of Michelle consists mostly of older people. The silver generation boasts immense spending power nowadays. The onlookers in the street looking for their idols for a “selfie” were all old folks too.
The onstage performers in Michelle’s concert are chiefly senior artists. They sing 70s and 80s golden oldies. The songs act as a direct line back to the audience’s memories, offering a sense of comfort and escapism. There is no greater feeling for the old fans than being with their idol Michelle, partying to the music that they love in the good old days.
Michelle looked very pretty in the concert. Her dresses were tasteful. She talked politely and elegantly. She said, “This is more than a concert. Time flies. I want to look back with all of you. This is actually a reunion party!”
The core concerns for a senior citizen society these days include soaring healthcare costs and physical challenges that restrict their dwindling independence. Many of these old people have retired from their work, and this is perhaps why they get a lot of time to look for entertainment like Michelle’s concert. It is, however, suggested that the popularity of concerts of these kinds is a boon, and may mean many elderly people suffering from social isolation are able to get away from loneliness by these entertainments. They do not want to be left alone at home and so go out to find enjoyable activities.
Anyone who stops working will become mentally old. Working keeps Michelle young. Looking beautiful comes from the confidence that Michelle has in herself. Some friends asked me and Michelle to join a charitable organisation which aims at helping the elderly. Michelle accepted the meaningful task without hesitation. No kindness is brighter than that of a good heart.
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