Hou Yao wrote, directed and starred in A Poet from the Sea (1927). It was shot in Stanley, Hong Kong. The surviving copy was only 23-minute long, but Hou Yao's romantic side was obvious through the scenic location and beautiful set-up. The love story between Poet (Hou Yao) and his lover (Lee Dan-dan) was pure and lyrical, a gem from China Sun Motion Picture Company (Shanghai) in the 1920s.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Hou YaoIh Bing | Ih Bing |
 Cho-cho LamYin Meizhen | Yin Meizhen |
 Li DandanLiu Tsan Ying | Liu Tsan Ying |
 Wang XieyanMeng Shi | Meng Shi |
| GGe LijiangNot listed | Not listed |
| YYinqiao YiYin Xifu | Yin Xifu |
| YYansheng FangQin Yun | Qin Yun |
| BBuping DaiShi Shaoqiu | Shi Shaoqiu |
| QQichen ZhangWen Yuyuan | Wen Yuyuan |
| XXizhang OuJin Dayou | Jin Dayou |
| YYiting FeiGuo Yongnian | Guo Yongnian |
| NNeng HeTian Baqi | Tian Baqi |
| GGuanqun HuangYang Yi | Yang Yi |
| ZZhong MiDing Ben | Ding Ben |
 Shaomei XingQian Er | Qian Er |
| SShutao ZhuLiu Yong | Liu Yong |
| HHanwen XinZhang Tianba | Zhang Tianba |
| BBanmei XingMs. Yang | Ms. Yang |