King of Comedy

King of Comedy

Year: 1999

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Lee Lik-Chi

RomanceComedyDrama

Wan Tin‑Sau is an actor whose career stalls at the level of movie extra, never landing a starring role. While chasing his dream, he simultaneously serves as the head of his village’s community centre, juggling the demands of his modest acting work with his leadership duties.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen King of Comedy yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – King of Comedy (1999)

Explore the full timeline and setting of King of Comedy (1999). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

late 1990s

Set in the late 1990s, the film follows a working-class dreamer trying to break into the movie industry. The era's fast-paced celebrity culture and industry dynamics provide the backdrop for Wan's ambitions. The storyline tracks how quickly fortunes can swing in this contemporary entertainment landscape.

Location

Wan Tin-sau's village community centre, film studio

The story centers on Wan Tin-sau's village community centre where he runs acting lessons and hosts plays, creating a tight-knit space for aspiring performers. The action shifts to a busy film studio environment where he moonlights as an extra and where the pressures and routines of cinema shape the characters. These two settings highlight the contrast between small-town dreams and the glamorous, demanding world of movie production.

🎭 Community hub 🎬 Film studio

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:40

Main Characters – King of Comedy (1999)

Meet the key characters of King of Comedy (1999), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Wan Tin-sau (Stephen Chow)

Wan Tin-sau is the head of his village community centre who teaches acting and hosts plays, but he moonlights as an aspiring actor and movie extra. He takes his craft seriously and pursues fame despite limited roles, often clashing with reality. His optimism is tested when he believes a romantic encounter with Lau Piu-piu was transactional, prompting a quest for money that he eventually resolves as he steps into a leading role.

🎭 Ambition 💰 Money-minded 🧭 Determined

Sister Cuckoo (Karen Mok)

Sister Cuckoo is a legendary actress who Wan eventually acts beside as a leading star. She embodies the glamour and aloof presence of cinema’s big names, serving as both a benchmark and catalyst for Wan’s growth. Her interactions with Wan reflect the mixture of mentorship, vanity, and professional distance that characterizes the film industry.

🎬 Fame 👩‍🎤 Mentor 💃 Glamour

Lau Piu Piu (Cecilia Cheung)

Lau Piu-piu starts as skeptical club girl who Wan mentors into becoming a better actress. Through his guidance, she grows in craft and ends up falling in love with him, complicating their professional relationship with personal feelings. Her transformation highlights vulnerability, desire, and the risky entanglements of pursuing fame.

🎭 Transformation 💘 Love 💬 Skepticism turned belief

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:40

Major Themes – King of Comedy (1999)

Explore the central themes of King of Comedy (1999), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Ambition

The film centers on Wan Tin-sau’s relentless drive to rise from extra to star, revealing the persistence and ego that fuel show business dreams. It explores the cost of chasing fame, including financial pressures and moral compromises. Wan’s self-image shifts as opportunities loom, only to be challenged by the practical realities of the industry.

🎬 Industry satire

The movie skewers the film industry’s vanity and commerce, including a blatant product plug that blurs entertainment and advertising. It juxtaposes glamorous on-screen moments with the backstage chaos of auditions, stunts, and marketing demands. The inclusion of a C.I.B. sting adds a playful critique of authority within a corporate entertainment setting.

🕵️ Underworld and duty

Wan becomes unwittingly entangled in a covert operation, testing his loyalties and courage under pressure. The mission blends danger with humor, showing how ordinary people can step into unexpected roles within a staged world. The experience shapes his character as he navigates deception, risk, and redemption.

💘 Love and trust

Lau Piu-piu’s evolving relationship with Wan injects warmth and vulnerability into the comedy. Their dynamic moves from skepticism to affection as Wan balances ambition with personal commitments. The romance humanizes the pursuit of stardom, highlighting how love can both motivate and complicate a rising career.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:40

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of King of Comedy

Don't stop at just watching — explore King of Comedy in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what King of Comedy is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

King of Comedy Summary

Read a complete plot summary of King of Comedy, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

King of Comedy Summary

King of Comedy Timeline

Track the full timeline of King of Comedy with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

King of Comedy Timeline

King of Comedy Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of King of Comedy that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

King of Comedy Spoiler-Free Summary

More About King of Comedy

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about King of Comedy: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About King of Comedy

Explore More About Movie King of Comedy

King of Comedy (1999) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

King of Comedy (1999) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

King of Comedy (1999) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow