Taiwanese actress Shu Qi relocates every 2 years to stave off boredom

Taiwanese actress Shu Qi. Photo from Shu Qi's Instagram

During a photoshoot for Marie Claire China’s October issue, the actress discussed her upbringing in a family that frequently moved, which cultivated her habit of continual relocation.

Describing herself as a wanderer, Shu Qi views her life as a series of journeys that began when she entered the film industry at 19.

"The feeling of security comes from oneself," she quoted a line from her 2004 film, which she believes accurately captures her mindset.

The actress recounted that around the release of "The Foliage," she was acting in more than 10 films annually, often sleeping merely three to four hours a night, and frequently waking up disoriented about her location. She then gradually mastered scheduling to allow for rest and the exploration of new places, finding stability in her transient lifestyle and a curiosity about future uncertainties.

She also shared that although she considered retiring from acting a few years ago, she continued, motivated by the prospect of new and exciting opportunities in her career.

Starting her career in entertainment as a teenager, initially in softcore adult films, Shu Qi, 48, caught the attention of leading directors in Hong Kong and Taiwan in the mid-1990s, eventually achieving fame with significant roles in "Viva Erotica" and "Bishonen."

Her international acclaim was established with roles in "The Transporter" and "So Close" in 2002, "Three Times" in 2005, "My Wife Is a Gangster 3" in 2006, and "Love" in 2012.

In 2023, she served on the main competition jury at the Venice International Film Festival, marking her as one of three female artists of Chinese descent to have served on the juries of Europe’s major film festivals, including previous jury roles in Berlin in 2008 and Cannes in 2009, alongside actresses Gong Li and Maggie Cheung.

She recently completed her directorial debut "Girl."