She starred in director Wong Kar-wai's award-winning movie, Fallen Angels, in 1996, which won her Best Supporting Actress award at the Hong Kong Film Award. Since then, she has been creating her "Mok factor".

In 2013, she released her first English-language jazz album, Somewhere I Belong, which fulfilled a longtime dream to sing her original jazz tunes while plucking guzheng, the traditional Chinese instrument she learned as a child.

"I always feel lucky to have my biggest hobby as a lifelong career and I follow my intuition when performing. But now I want to spend more time with my family and to rejuvenate," said Mok.

What's on her agenda next is touring around the country with the new album. She also plans to do an original musical for Chinese audiences.

She performed in the international tour of the hit Broadway musical Rent, starring as Mimi, during the Asian stops of the musical in 2005 and 2006.

"It was a special experience for me. I took a very short training in New York then, which I learned a lot about musical," recalled Mok, who studied in Italy and majored in Italian literature.

She is a big a fan of opera and musicals.

"I believe the word 'evergreen' comes from the performer's passion and energy. I am obsessed about the feeling before stepping onto the stage. There is nervousness, excitement, anxiety and expectations. Every emotion mixes together, which functions like a magic power, pushing me forward," she said.