Derek Tsang Kwok-Cheung (曾國祥), born on November 8, 1979, is a prominent film director and actor hailing from Hong Kong. As the son of renowned actor Eric Tsang, Derek ventured into the film industry after earning his degree from the University of Toronto Scarborough in 2001. He initially gained experience working under acclaimed director Peter Chan Ho-Sun, where he developed connections with producer Jojo Hui and director Jimmy Wan Chi-man, who would later become close collaborators.
Tsang made his acting debut in the comedy film Men Suddenly in Black (2003), where he played a younger version of his father's character. In 2010, he co-directed Lover's Discourse with Jimmy Wan, earning a nomination for Best New Director at the Golden Horse Awards. His solo directorial debut, Soul Mate (2016), received critical acclaim and garnered a nomination for Best Film at the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards.
His subsequent film, Better Days (2019), became a significant milestone, winning eight out of twelve categories at the 39th Hong Kong Film Awards, including Best Film and Best Director. The film was also the first submission by a native Hong Kong director for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards, although it ultimately did not win.
Influenced by art-house cinema, particularly the works of Wong Kar-wai and the French New Wave, Tsang has carved out a distinctive style, diverging from the mainstream comedies associated with his father's legacy. Married to actress Venus Wong in 2019, Tsang has expressed a cautious approach toward casting her due to concerns about nepotism.
