Chan became interested in storytelling after reading the novels of Hong Kong fantasy writer Christopher Woo [zh].

[2][3] He began to write commercial screenplays after graduation and co-wrote romance film Funeral March [zh] with filmmaker Joe Ma in 2001.

[1][6] In 2006, Ma decided to pursue a career in mainland China, while Chan, who had just gotten married and preferred a more stable life, chose not to join him.

[6] In 2018, Chan was invited to join the production of fantasy comedy film Monster Hunt 2 by his APA classmate Jack Ng, as Ng found himself rather inexperienced in comedy writing, while Chan was well-versed in the field.

[2][8] Chan also made his directorial debut with drama film Men On The Dragon [zh] in the same year,[9] and received nominations for Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best New Director in the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards.