On 21/9, Sina introduced a program trailer about actress Joey Wang, filmed in Canada where she resides. Wang, who had been out of the public eye for 22 years, broke her silence for the first time, discussing her reasons for leaving the entertainment industry at the peak of her career and her life after retirement.

Joey Wang in her youth. Photo: HK01

The actress denied that she "hid due to heartbreak", stating those were merely fabricated stories. Nearing age 30, Wang grew tired of the disrupted work-rest rhythm in showbiz. She felt she knew little about the world outside film sets and often felt uneasy that many people knew her, yet she knew nothing about the lives of those around her.

Joey Wang often questioned "who she was". Gradually, she found the spotlight "frivolous and empty". The actress sold many assets in Hong Kong and moved to Vancouver to settle.

Over the past two decades, Wang did not participate in any entertainment programs. Since last year, however, she has begun to open up more, creating an account on Douyin and posting videos about her daily life and work. Currently, Joey Wang manages a traditional Chinese medicine shop and plans to open a branch.

Actress Joey Wang, age 59. Photo: Sina

Joey Wang’s appearance upon her return attracted significant audience attention. Thousands of comments stated they "did not recognize" the actress, suggesting she underwent cosmetic surgery. Some sources claimed her face changed due to a past accident. Joey Wang has not responded to these claims.

Wang joined the film industry at age 17, quickly earning the moniker "Jade Girl" for her innocent beauty and classic demeanor. She achieved fame across many Asian countries with films such as "A Chinese Ghost Story", "Green Snake", "The Eagle Shooting Heroes", "The Reincarnation of Golden Lotus", and "God of Gamblers". In the 1980s and 1990s, the actress dominated the entertainment industry with her beauty and hit films, often becoming the focus of attention due to her relationships.

Joey Wang once dated singer Chyi Chin, planning a wedding in Tibet. However, she called off the engagement after discovering Chyi Chin had a child with his ex-girlfriend, who subsequently sued him for child support. In the 1990s, Wang's "Jade Girl" image was tarnished when her relationship with Lim Kin Nhat, a wealthy, married businessman, became public. According to Appledaily, the businessman at the time pampered Wang, gifting her a villa on Kotewall Road worth 13 million HKD (38,5 billion VND). The relationship ended in 1996, with Lim reportedly falling for another actress.

Nhu Anh