Born in Hong Kong of Welsh, Chinese and Persian descent, Karen Mok is an actress and singer-songwriter who has enjoyed phenomenal success in Asia since making her debut in 1993.

 

A winner of the Hong Kong Outstanding Students Award, Karen, who speaks five languages (English, Cantonese, Mandarin, French and Italian), also won a two-year scholarship to complete her secondary studies at the United World College in Italy. She then went on to read Italian Literature at London University before returning to Hong Kong to embark on a career in entertainment.

 

 

Internationally recognized, the award-winning actress has appeared in over 40 films including SHAOLIN SOCCER, one of the highest-grossing films in Hong Kong’s history, Wong Kar-Wai’s FALLEN ANGELS, for which she was honored with a Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress, Disney’s AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS with Jackie Chan and Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut MAN OF TAI CHI, due for global release in 2013. Mok recently starred in THE GREAT HYPNOTIST, a Chinese thriller-drama-mystery film, and it scored ¥200 million in less than 2 weeks.

 

 

In the field of music, Karen has a habit of making history: she was the first female artist from Hong Kong ever to win Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Melody Award (equivalent to the Grammy Award in the Mandarin music market) and the first Asian star to take the lead role in a Broadway production, when she was invited to perform in the hit musical “RENT” on its 10th Anniversary World Tour. Mok has 16 albums released to date. She was the first major recording artist in Greater China to release a digital album, the award-winning RELISH, on China Mobile, setting the trend for others to follow. Karen is now poised to bring her music to a global audience with the international launch of her debut English jazz album SOMEWHERE I BELONG. She is the first Chinese artist to attain a worldwide release on iTunes.

 

 

Her unique style, chameleon looks and signature long legs have made her one of Asia’s most sought-after fashion icons in advertising. She is also the first Asian superstar to launch her own fragrance and lingerie line. Throughout her busy schedule, however, Karen has always found the time to lend her high international profile to numerous charitable causes, especially those concerned with children’s welfare and animal rights. She currently serves as ambassador for UNICEF, SPCA, Animals Asia Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and Enlighten-Action for Epilepsy.

 

Karen was a torch-bearer and performer at the Beijing Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies in 2008. She is the NO.1 female singer on Chinese microblog service WEIBO – with over 36 million followers and counting.