Taiwanese actress Joey Wong gains attention with rare public appearance in Taiwan

According to Next Apple, on Sept. 16, a vegetarian restaurant in Taichung shared a group photo on social media with Wong, expressing their honor in hosting her. Wong was seen smiling and posing with the staff and fans. This marked a rare sighting of Wong, who has lived in Canada and remained absent from the entertainment industry for over two decades.

Taiwanese actress Joey Wong appeared in a vegetarian restaurant in Taichung, Taiwan on Sept. 16, 2024. Photo from Weibo

Wong’s appearance quickly became one of the most-viewed topics on Weibo, with fans expressing excitement, saying, "It's wonderful to see my idol during the Mid-Autumn Festival," and, "I remember when Joey Wong was a screen icon."

However, some noted changes in her appearance, reigniting rumors that she had been "disfigured in a car accident 10 years ago." Wong had previously denied such rumors, stating, "I am healthy and have never been in any accidents. I just want to lead a simple and peaceful life, as simplicity brings the greatest happiness."

Born in 1967 in Taipei, Wong initially pursued basketball and modeling before rising to fame in the Hong Kong film industry during the 1980s and 90s. Her breakout role came in 1987 with the film "A Chinese Ghost Story," which earned her a place among the "Four Flowers" of Hong Kong cinema, alongside Maggie Cheung, Cherie Chung, and Rosamund Kwan, according to SCMP.

Taiwanese actress Joey Wong in the 90s. Photo from Facebook

Wong had a 16-year on-off relationship with Taiwanese actor-singer Chyi Chin, which started in 1985 and ended in 2002. The couple had planned to marry in Tibet, but the wedding was called off when it was revealed that Chyi had fathered a child with a former girlfriend and was sued for neglecting his son.

During a break with Chyi in the 1990s, Wong briefly dated Hong Kong tycoon Peter Lam, who was married at the time. Lam reportedly gifted her a mansion worth HK$13 million (US$1.7 million), according to 8 Days.

The controversy surrounding her relationship with Lam significantly affected Wong's career. Following the scandal, she reduced her acting roles and gradually distanced herself from the entertainment industry. In 2004, she officially retired, sold her properties in Hong Kong, and moved to Vancouver, where she continues to reside.