James Wong Jim (Chinese: 黃霑; Jyutping: wong4 zim1; Cantonese Yale: wòhng jīm; 18 March 1941 – 24 November 2004, also known as "霑叔" or "Uncle Jim") was a Cantopop lyricist and songwriter based primarily in Hong Kong. Beginning from the 1960s, he was the lyricist for over 2,000 songs, collaborating with songwriter Joseph Koo (a.k.a. Koo Kar-Fai) on many popular television theme songs, many of which have become classics of the genre. His work propelled Cantopop to unprecedented popularity.
He was also well known in Asia as a columnist, actor, film director, screenwriter, and talk show host. He took part in creative directing positions within the entertainment industry in Hong Kong.
Wong died on 24 November 2004 of lung cancer after a four-year battle at the age of 63.
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Early life and education
Wong was born Wong Jum-sum (Chinese: 黃湛森; Jyutping: wong4 zaam3 sam1; Cantonese Yale: wòhng jaam sām) in Panyu, in what now is part of Guangzhou, China. He migrated to Hong Kong with his family in 1949.
He completed his secondary education at La Salle College. In 1963, he graduated from the Chinese Department, Faculty of Arts of the University of Hong Kong. Wong received an MPhil degree from the University of Hong Kong in 1983 for his study in Cantonese opera. In May 2003, in the midst of his fight with lung cancer, he obtained a PhD degree from the Department of Sociology, University of Hong Kong. The title of his thesis was "The Rise and Decline of Cantopop : A Study of Hong Kong Popular Music (1949–1997)".
Career and contributions
Wong participated in a variety of media fields including advertising, movies and music. Nicknamed a "genius" (Chinese: 鬼才; Jyutping: gwai2 coi4; Cantonese Yale: gwái chòih; lit. 'ghost talent') for his prodigious abilities, he was best known for his achievements as a lyricist of Cantonese songs in Hong Kong. Beginning from the 1960s, he was the lyricist for over 2,000 songs, collaborating with composer Joseph Koo (a.k.a. Gu Gaa-fai) on many popular TVB TV drama theme songs, many of which have become classics of the genre. His works pushed the development of Cantopop to unprecedented popularity.
While well known and praised for his creative works in the entertainment and advertisement fields, Wong was also famous for his vulgar and indelicate jokes. He had a series of best-selling joke books. He was regarded as responsible for breaking the barrier to many cultural taboos in Hong Kong during the conservative environment in the 1970s. He is best remembered as the person who came up with the slogan "Two kids are good enough" for The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong.
Wong hosted several TV programs, mostly interviews or talk shows oriented towards adults, on both TVB and ATV. One of the talk shows called "Off-guard Tonight" (今夜不設防), co-hosted by Wong and his close friends Chua Lam and Ni Kuang on ATV, is particularly remembered. James Wong also famously interviewed Chow Yun-fat and noted that Chow was initially discovered and supported exclusively by Goldig Films and Alex Gouw with generous salaries. But Wong questioned if Chow did honour his contractual obligation with Goldig during TVB and ATV shows leading to a clarification made by Goldig in 2001. Goldig Investment bacame a property and invetsment enterprise after the early-1980s.
As a singer, he is a tenor with 2.5 octaves in chest voice due to him being a heavy smoker. Due to his narrow vocal range, he only released one album despite being a keen singer.
In the 1990s, Wong's creative works became less popular, and many entertainment companies featured fewer of Wong's songs. Some TV shows hosted by Wong were also unpopular. Wong decided to return to Hong Kong University to get a doctorate degree in Hong Kong popular culture. His dissertation essay is now in the library of Hong Kong University.
Personal life
Wong was officially married twice, but had three notable relationships. He had three children with his first wife, singer Wah Wa. Their sons were Wong Yue-hon (黃宇瀚) and Wong Yue-man (黃宇文). Their marriage ended while Hua Wa was pregnant with their only daughter, Ursule Wong (黃宇詩).
Wong once said the most important love of his life was Eunice Lam, a writer whom he lived with from 1976 to 1990, but did not marry. Lam was also a radio host, and was the sister of Richard Lam, a Cantopop lyricist. Lam died from cancer in 2018.
Wong's second marriage was to his long-time assistant, Winnie Chan, until his death, but she was never seen with him in public.
Important works in lyrics
It's a Small World (世界真細小) Chinese adaptation
Below the Lion Rock (獅子山下)
The Bund of Shanghai (上海灘), theme song from TV series The Bund (1980)
All Kind Sentiments (萬般情), theme song from TV series The Bund II (1980)
Shanghai Beach of the Dragon Tiger Battle (上海灘龍虎鬥), theme song from TV series The Bund III (1980)
When I'm Asked (問我)
Both are forgetten in the mist (兩忘煙水裡)
Tao (道), theme to the Tsui Hark-produced A Chinese Ghost Story
A laugh in blue sea (滄海一聲笑), theme to Tsui Hark's The Swordsman
A Man Should Stand Strong (男兒當自強), theme song to Tsui Hark's Once Upon a Time in China series about Wong Fei Hung; set to the traditional Chinese tune On the General's Orders (將軍令)
No need to remember old dreams (舊夢不須記)
Childhood(童年)
Work Hard (奮鬥)
The Legend of the Book and Sword (書劍恩仇錄), theme song from TV series The Legend of the Book and Sword (1976)
Hotel (狂潮), theme song from TV series Hotel (1976)
The Legend of the Heroic Knights (近代豪俠傳) (1976)
A House Is Not a Home (家變), theme song from TV series A House Is Not a Home (1977)
Awards
Wong received numerous awards for his works.
– Music Awards
1981 忘記他, The best cantopop, 4th Top Ten Chinese Golden Pop Music, RTHK
1982 兩忘煙水里, The best cantopop, 4th Top Ten Chinese Golden Pop Music, RTHK
1989 Best Lyricist, 2nd Hong Kong Artist Awards (香港藝術家年獎)
1990 Golden Pin, 13th, Top Ten Chinese Golden Pop Music, RTHK
1991 Hall of Fame, RTHK (Radio and Television Hong Kong)
2000 Hall of Fame Award, CASH (Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong).
2002 Hall of Fame Award for 25th Anniversary, 25th Top Ten Chinese Golden Pop Music, RTHK
– Film Awards
1987 倩女幽魂, A Chinese Ghost Story: Best Original Score and Best Film Song ("Lai Ming But Yiu Loi"), 7th Hong Kong Film Awards
1990 The Terracotta Warrior: Best Original Film Score; and The Swordsman: Best Original Film Song, 10th Hong Kong Film Awards
1991 黃飛鴻, 11th Hong Kong Film Awards
1992 黃飛鴻 之II 男兒當自強, 29th Taiwan's Golden Horse Award
1994 梁祝, Best Original Film Score, 14th Hong Kong Film Awards
Filmography as actor
In-Laws, Out-Laws (2004)
Visible Secret (2001) – Lo Kit
Funny Business (2000)
Love Paradox (2000) – Security guard
Bishonen (1998) – J.P.
A Chinese Ghost Story: The Tsui Hark Animation (1997) – Red Beard (voice, Cantonese version)
Screwball '94 (1994) – Tong Shi Yi
It's a Wonderful Life (1994) – George
Best of Best (1994)
I Will Wait for You (1994) – Thief
Return to a Better Tomorrow (1994) – Wong
I Have a Date with Spring (1994) – Triad
Iron Monkey (1993) – Governor Cheng
Flirting Scholar (1993) – Mr. Wah
All's Well, Ends Well Too (1993) – Magistrate
Summer Lovers (1992) – Uncle Wah
Fight Back to School II (1992) – Minister Wong
Stooges in Hong Kong (1992)
Rich Man (1992) – Peter Chow
Once Upon a Time a Hero in China (1992)
All's Well, Ends Well (1992)