Hongkong bombshell Irene Wan Bik-ha, 53, made her showbiz debut at the tender age of 17 and even though she has always been widely regarded as an actress — just watch her in 1984 classic Everlasting Love for proof — she hasn't had any luck when it comes to awards.

Well, until this year.

Irene was named Best Actress at the Silk Road International Film Festival for her role in the thriller The Fallen and star admitted the win was a pleasant surprise .

Irene, who was holidaying in Bali with her friends and family when she received the news, declared that the award is the “best New Year present [she] could ever receive.

I was unable to make it for the award show but I had a celebratory dinner with my loved ones after hearing the news. Everyone is very happy for me, she added.

She also thanked the entire team that worked on the movie with her, sharing that the chemistry between the actors and crew was great and that she never felt like she was at work.

On her thank you list, too, was her husband, businessman Kenneth Ho. “He has given me the most support throughout the years. He has been very supportive of my showbiz career, and has always praised me when he watched the projects that I’ve worked on. He’s truly my pillar of strength.”

Congratulatory messages have poured in for Irene, with many netizens saying that they have been rooting for her throughout her 37-year career.

The actress has also been praised for her youthful looks after she posted snaps of herself on holiday, with one netizen hilariously remarking, “I’m half her age but I think I’m double her weight. After checking out these photos, I’ve got all the motivation I need to go on a diet!”