"I'm Already 60": Joey Wong On Why She Wishes People Would Stop Scrutinising Her Appearance

Former Taiwanese actress Joey Wong has been regarded as one of Asia’s most iconic screen beauties for decades.

Best known for her iconic role as Nie Xiaoqian in 1987 classic, A Chinese Ghost Story, she walked away from fame in 2004 at the height of her career.

And even after being out of the spotlight for more than two decades, Joey still regularly makes headlines for her looks.

While she has often been praised for looking youthful, other appearances have sparked comments that she's aged, as well as speculation about whether she's had aesthetic procedures.  

Joey recently addressed all that attention on her appearance on Chinese talk show Follow Each Other.

During the show, Joey was shown an old photo of herself dressed as Nie Xiaoqian.

“That was when I was 19. I was 19 when I filmed A Chinese Ghost Story, so I became famous quite young,” she said.

Host Li Dan pointed out that because Joey became famous so young, there is something of a disconnect in people's perception of time when it comes to her.

Joey agreed, saying many viewers still have trouble reconciling the Joey they remember with the person she is today.

“Their impression of me is still stuck at that time. They don't even realise Joey Wong is already 60, yet they're still discussing my appearance,” she said.

Joey, who turns 60 next January, explained that she had been away from the public eye for so long that audiences never really got to see her gradually grow older.

“So when I finally reappeared, they still thought I was 19,” she said.

“They can't connect [the past me] with how I am now.”

Joey has been living in Vancouver since leaving showbiz and has largely stayed away from the public eye.

In recent years, however, fans have been seeing more of the former actress.

She opened a moxibustion wellness clinic in Vancouver in 2025, and has since made occasional public appearances and shared glimpses of her life there.