Li Youyi (host)

Benjamin Lee Yau Ngai (born (1959-11-14) November 14, 1959) is a former Hong Kong television host. He is best known for co-hosting the TVB morning programme *Hong Kong Morning*, where he worked alongside co-hosts including Yvonne Yu, Wilson Yeung, Fiona Poon, Chan Sheung Lai, and Poon Chung Ming. He withdrew from the entertainment industry in the mid-1990s and later pursued a career in advertising. In the 2020s, he re-emerged on social media.

Early Life

Lee was born at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital in Happy Valley and grew up in an old tenement in the Central and Western District. During holidays, he stayed at his grandfather's village house in Ha Wo Che Village, Sha Tin, where his grandfather operated an antique shop. He has one older sister, one elder brother, and two younger brothers. His academic performance was average.

He graduated from S.K.H. Kei Yan Primary School in 1971, attended Yuk Wah Secondary School and Hon Wah Middle School, where he joined the school dance team and participated in several dance festivals. In 1974, he repeated Form 3 at St. Stephen’s English School’s Sai Wan branch to prepare for further overseas studies. After completing Form 5 in 1977, he studied Form 6 at Kiangsu-Chekiang College, graduating in 1978.

Although admitted to the Chinese University of Hong Kong, he opted to study abroad in Vancouver, Canada, with support from his parents. There, he first completed a one-year transfer programme at Vancouver Community College, then studied Computer Science (major) and Business (minor) at Simon Fraser University. During this time, he also became involved in Christian fellowship and worked part-time as a waiter and gas station attendant.

His performance in a cultural dance led to his introduction to broadcaster Joseph Ho of Overseas Chinese Voice, who recruited him as a programme host. He co-hosted the music show *Sky Breakthrough* with his future wife Hedy and created radio dramas. He later earned an MBA before returning to Hong Kong.

Career

In 1984, Lee returned to Hong Kong intending to stay three years and then settle back in Vancouver, but he ultimately remained to develop his career. He initially worked as a programmer for Hang Wai Computer Company, then as a software sales representative, eventually becoming marketing manager.

In 1985, his company sent him on *Hong Kong Morning* to promote a voice-processing software. This led to an on-air appearance on *Enjoy Yourself Tonight*, where he met producer Choi Kam Yuen, who encouraged him to audition as a host. Lee signed a part-time contract with TVB, co-hosting *Hong Kong Morning* while also founding the advertising agency Kar Yee Lung Tang in 1987.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, he was also a regular host of direct-marketing TV commercials. In 1993, after eight years, he left TVB to focus on his growing advertising business, which had secured real estate contracts through his connections, including Stephen Shiu. He continued appearing in property advertisements after leaving television.

From 1993 onward, he expanded Kar Yee Lung Tang to develop and promote real estate projects in Guangzhou, such as Agile Property. In 1997, the company focused on market planning and launched the *Kar Yee Lung Tang Advertising Magazine* and Hong Kong’s first direct-sale shopping channel. He later partnered with Centaline Property to market mainland Chinese properties such as Shenzhen's Exhibition Court and Shunde’s Country Garden.

By the mid-2000s, the company had expanded to cities like Guangzhou (registered Kar Yee Real Estate Agency in 2005), Shanghai, Beijing, Qingdao, Chongqing, and even New York’s Fifth Avenue. However, overexpansion led to financial strain and internal disputes. He closed his mainland branches in 2005 and moved to Zhengzhou to regroup, eventually rebuilding a provincial network and founding Jiangmen Kar Yee Real Estate Agency in 2014.

Later Life

Lee has been semi-retired since 2009. In 2016, he studied theology at China Graduate School of Theology. He also took guitar lessons and learned lyric-writing from musician Ai Yuen for advertising jingles and personal compositions. He has served as a guest lecturer at Evangel Seminary and China Graduate School of Theology and participates in Christian ministries for the elderly. More recently, he has sold sanitation products.

Personal Life

In 1985, Lee married former Canadian radio host Lung Siu Lun (Hedy). Their son, Benson Lee Kwok Wai, born on December 24, 1988, later participated in *King Maker II* as a singer.

After the age of sixty, Lee remained active in life, obtaining a motorcycle driving license. He also launched a YouTube channel titled "BEN哥同你四圍行" to document his daily life, sharing personal experiences and travel insights. In interviews, he mentioned that he values family and regards music, faith, and teaching as the core of his life.。

See also

• Hong Kong Morning
• Benson Lee (singer)
• Commercial broadcasting in Hong Kong