Hold on, did the Stock Market Just Take a Dive Because of Adam Cheng?
August 30, 2025 – Anyone who kept an eye on Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index that day will remember the sudden 193‑point drop that happened just after Adam Cheng’s brand‑new show, Psycho Detective 2, aired its first episode on ViuTV.
What Went Wrong?
- The market fell more than 1 % in a single trading day.
- It coincided with the debut of Adam Cheng’s latest drama.
- Many Hong Kong viewers started joking that the drop was “the Adam Cheng effect.”
How the “Adam Cheng Effect” Gained Momentum
It all boils down to a classic character, Ting Hai, that Adam famously portrayed back in the 1992 TV series The Greed of Man.
In the drama, Ting Hai is a savvy trader who, along with his four sons, amasses a fortune during a bear market. The twist? They are eventually wiped out, and the family ends up taking their own lives by jumping off a stock‑exchange building.
The dramatic irony of that storyline is fresh in the minds of many fans, so when the Index suddenly sank, the coincidence couldn’t be ignored.
What’s the Reality?
No statistical data proves a direct link between Adam Cheng’s television slot and the market movement. However, human psychology loves patterns, especially when they involve a beloved old‑school hero’s fateful turn.
Investors may have simply felt uneasy, and the market reacted, but it’s also possible everyone’s over‑dramatic and each day brings something new.
Bottom Line
So, is it a mere coincidence or is there a genuine “Adam Cheng effect”? Let’s keep asking: It’s probably just a tiny splash in an otherwise vast sea of market forces. Keep your cool, stay curious, and maybe check your stocks after you catch an episode—you never know what twists the market will plot next!

The Wild Stock‑Market Roller‑Coaster of Adam Cheng
Last week, when the 72‑year‑old Hong Kong movie star Adam Cheng opened up to Apple Daily about the market’s fickle moods, he made a bold statement: “As soon as Donald Trump flips his hat, the stocks have been on a wild ride ever since.” He even tipped his hat to the future, predicting a rebound in prices.
Where Did the Magic Come From?
- Co‑star Michael Tao shot the market mystery out of his head, insisting “It’s never been Adam Cheng’s doing.”
- Adam, ever the clever one, quipped, “If stock prices drop whenever I’m on air, I’ll skip acting and sing and dig into the bear market instead. I’ll be a full‑time stock‑seller!”
- When you scan past decades of market data, something odd pops up: any time a new Adam‑anchored film or TV series drops, the bonds in Hong Kong dip.
Global Buzz Among Brokers
It’s turned into a buzzword in the trading world—think of it as the “Cheng Curse.” The French giant Credit Lyonnais even penned a formal report on this curious phenomenon, telling investors, “Watch closely; Adam’s spotlight might just siphon off a few bucks.”
Key Takeaways for the Curious Investor
- Share prices fall oddly often when Adam appears on screen.
- Stocks keep sliding on his release dates, prompting analysts to file strange reports.
- He’s humorously recognizing the potential dollar‑dimming effect, offering a laugh over a sell‑season strategy.
So next time you stare at a stock chart and see a sudden dip, just ask: Did Adam Cheng make an appearance? If so, grab your popcorn and invest wisely—because he never knows if he’s on a winning or losing streak!
