HONG KONG – Hong Kong actor Will Or has revealed that he is battling Stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma, a type of lung cancer.

The 33-year-old broke the news on Instagram on July 30, sharing that his symptoms began in late May with a lingering cough that did not improve after two rounds of antibiotics.

He then consulted a respiratory specialist and underwent a CT scan, which revealed an abnormality.

He wrote in Chinese: “I was referred to another specialist. When the doctor saw my report, his expression changed, so I joked, ‘The doctor looks so grim. Is it cancer?’

“I thought it would be tuberculosis, but I was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma two to three days after further testing at the hospital.”

Or is best known for his breakout role in Hong Kong movie Drifting (2021), which also starred Hong Kong actors Francis Ng, Loletta Lee and Tse Kwan Ho.

Or played a youth suffering from aphasia in the drama-thriller, and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards in 2021 and Best Supporting Actor and Best New Performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2022.

He admitted that the diagnosis dealt a heavy blow, and he felt as if he was “walking into emptiness” upon hearing the news.

“I just wanted to sleep and escape. I wanted a break, but I love my work too much. Even when it’s exhausting, I enjoy giving my all,” he said.

Following his discharge, he went home to shower before heading straight to rehearsals for the stage show, Let Me Entertain You.

Despite his resolve to keep working, he ultimately decided to take a temporary break from the theatre production after consulting his doctor.

“I hope I can still perform. That tiny hope, that tiny desire, those little thoughts and the little bits of support from everyone around me are what I’m holding on to,” he said.