TVB star Niklas Lam sleeps just 3 hours a day to make ends meet

Hong Kong actor Niklas Lam. Photo from Lam's Instagram

According to The Star, despite his rising popularity following his role in the 2023 TVB drama "Queen of News," the 31-year-old has spoken openly about the financial challenges of working in the city’s entertainment industry, where pay often falls short of public expectations.

In a vlog posted on Xiaohongshu, Lam offered viewers a glimpse into his grueling routine, which saw him work three jobs over the course of 15 hours.

"How hard do Hong Kong artists hustle just to survive? Three part-time jobs a day without stopping," he said.

Lam’s day began at 7:30 a.m., after only a few hours of rest. Following a quick breakfast of two boiled eggs, he emceed a social work programme from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. He then rushed to a gym to teach a fitness class before returning home for a brief shower and dinner. His final task was translating Chinese academic papers into English, a job he continued until 11 p.m. He ended the day with earnings of HK$493 (US$63).

Netizens praised his discipline and determination.

"You can do so much in a day, and still edit videos. It’s amazing," one wrote.

Another added: "Please post a vlog to teach us how to find part-time jobs."

Lam, 31, made his acting debut in the 2018 drama "Rescue in the Dark" but rose to prominence with "Queen of News," in which he starred alongside Charmaine Sheh. A graduate of the University of Hong Kong, he earned a degree in Social Work and Social Administration in 2017.