Joey Wong Gives First Interview in 22 Years, Finally Addresses Her Retirement

After more than two decades away from the spotlight, Hong Kong cinema iconJoey Wonghas made a rare return to the public eye.

The 59-year-old former actress has accepted an interview with Sina News' programMutual Following(Hu Xiang Guan Zhu), marking herfirst interview in 22 yearssince she stepped away from the entertainment industry. A preview released on September 21 quickly attracted widespread attention among Chinese-speaking audiences and longtime fans of the actress.

Wong, best known internationally for her role as Nie Xiaoqian in the classic 1987 filmA Chinese Ghost Story, spoke openly about her acting career, her decision to leave show business and some of the people who played important roles during her years in cinema.

Breaking Her Silence on Retirement

One of the biggest talking points from the interview was Wong's response to the long-running speculation surrounding her retirement.

For years, media reports and public discussion have linked her decision to leave the entertainment industry to relationship difficulties. Wong directly rejected that explanation during the interview, saying that the decision wasnot because of emotional heartbreak.

Instead, she explained that she had never particularly enjoyed the irregular lifestyle associated with the entertainment industry. She recalled that filming often meant disrupted sleeping schedules and a life that was very different from that of an ordinary person.

Wong also revealed that she had already begun considering retirement when she was around 28 years old. AfterGreen Snake, she gradually reduced the number of films she accepted before ultimately leaving the industry in 2004.

She described her years away from acting as a long period of rest and reflection. Rather than presenting her departure as a dramatic event, Wong spoke about it in terms of accepting the changes and circumstances that life brings.

RememberingA Chinese Ghost Story

The interview also brought Wong back to one of the most important chapters of her career.

InA Chinese Ghost Story, Wong played Nie Xiaoqian opposite the late Hong Kong star Leslie Cheung. The film became one of the defining supernatural romances of Hong Kong cinema and established Wong as one of the most recognizable actresses in Asian popular culture.

Interestingly, Wong revealed that she had actively sought the opportunity to play the role. She recalled that producer Nansun Shi gave her a chance to audition and ultimately helped make the collaboration possible.

Wong also remembered Cheung warmly, saying that he took care of her on set. She recalled him reassuring her with words to the effect of telling her not to be afraid, a memory she has apparently retained for decades.

A Different Life After Fame

Wong's withdrawal from the entertainment industry has long been a subject of public curiosity. After completingShanghai Storyin 2004, she moved to Canada and largely stayed away from the film and television industry.

Her recent appearances have been extremely limited. In recent years, however, she has gradually reappeared in public discussions and has been involved in traditional wellness-related activities in Vancouver.

Earlier in 2026, Wong also spoke publicly about her life after leaving show business, including the difficulties she experienced while adapting to life away from the entertainment industry.

Her latest interview offers audiences a rare opportunity to hear her reflect on that period directly rather than through years of media speculation.

"A Story About Life"

Looking back on her decision to leave the industry, Wong appeared notably calm and philosophical.

She suggested that life does not always need to be changed or forced in a particular direction. Instead, people can learn to understand and accept what happens to them.

That attitude appears to characterize her approach to the past 22 years. Rather than returning to acting or attempting to recreate the fame of her younger years, Wong has chosen a quieter life away from the entertainment industry.

The interview itself came about in an unusual way. According to the program, comedian Li Dan once jokingly wondered whether the production team could invite Wong onto the show. The seemingly casual wish eventually became reality.

The full episode ofMutual Followingfeaturing Joey Wong is scheduled to be released onSeptember 23 at noon.

For fans who grew up watching Hong Kong cinema in the 1980s and 1990s, Wong's appearance represents more than simply a celebrity interview. It provides a rare glimpse into the thoughts of an actress who chose to leave the screen at the height of her fame—and remained largely absent for more than two decades.

After 22 years away, Joey Wong has finally chosen to tell her own story in her own words.