‘I’m a big hugger’: Myolie Wu’s husband reacts to report of him hugging women at a pub

Hong Kong-based businessman Philip Lee, the husband of actress Myolie Wu, has hit back at a media report of him hugging several women at a pub.

Hong Kong magazine Eastweek reported on March 18 that Mr Lee, who turned 52 over the weekend, went to a pub to celebrate with friends on the eve of his birthday.

He turned up without his wife at the party, which was attended by more than 20 guests, including several young women.

The report said Mr Lee drank two big glasses of wine, toasted many people along the way and interacted in an intimate way with some of the women.

According to footage and photos run by Eastweek, Mr Lee hugged two women tightly and took a close-up wefie with one of them with his hand on her shoulder. The magazine said Mr Lee left the pub at about midnight.

The businessman took to Instagram on March 19 to address the report.

“Just woke up to a beautiful sunny day. Hug all your family, friends and colleagues,” he wrote in English. “Long sincere hugs. Both men and women, boyfriends and girlfriends. Husbands and wives.

“Just like I did for my birthday in a lounge bar because that’s where many people have birthday drinks with a few of their close family, friends and colleagues. And I would do it all over again, because anyone who knows me well also knows I’m a big hugger.”

Mr Lee said it would be great to see everyone getting a hug that day, adding pointedly that they include “unkind people who may need it the most”.

Likely referring to the Eastweek report, he said: “Photo angles are very misleading. Might even make you look like you’re doing something you’re not.”

Mr Lee also attached a cartoon of a rabbit hugging a big carrot, with the words: “A hug a day could keep the doctor away. Research says hugging boosts oxytocin, the cuddle hormone that reduces inflammation, stress and pain. Squeeze a loved one a little tighter today.”

Wu, 45, has not reacted publicly to the Eastweek report.

Her good friend, Hong Kong actress Elaine Yiu, commented on Mr Lee’s post: “Everyone needs a hug. All of us know that you are a kind and loving person. My dear bro, we will also give you a warm hug next time.”

Wu, the second runner-up of the Miss Hong Kong beauty pageant in 1999, tied the knot with Mr Lee in December 2015. They have three sons, aged between three and seven.

The actress is known for her roles in TVB dramas such as Wars Of In-Laws (2005), To Grow With Love (2006) and Curse Of The Royal Harem (2011).

She left the Hong Kong broadcaster in 2015 and has been focusing on her career in China in recent years. She has appeared in Chinese TV series such as Nothing Gold Can Stay (2017) and For The First Time In My Life (2023).

She also took part in the second season of Chinese acting reality series Everybody Stand By in 2020 and emerged the winner.