Joey Wong, 58, Reveals Why She Quit Showbiz at the Peak of Her Career

After retiring from showbiz two decades ago, ‘80s screen goddess Joey Wong, best known for her iconic role as Nie Xiaoqian in 1987 classic, A Chinese Ghost Story, has been living a quiet life in Vancouver, where she devotes herself to Buddhist practice. In 2025, she also opened a traditional Chinese medicine moxibustion clinic in the city.

Now 58, Joey recently made a rare appearance as a guest speaker at a Traditional Chinese Medicine forum in Silicon Valley. During the event, she revealed for the first time why she chose to retire at the height of her career.

After starring in the Chinese film Shanghai Story in 2004, Joey, then 37, suddenly announced her retirement.

She withdrew entirely from the entertainment industry, choosing to live a low-key life in Canada.

She revealed that she had entered the industry passively when she was young, and never truly enjoyed it, particularly disliking the entertainment world’s “day-and-night reversal and chaotic schedule.”

Describing herself as an ordinary person, Joey shared that after retiring, she struggled with depression stemming from identity issues and a desire to rediscover her own sense of worth. She later found peace through Buddhist practice and TCM.

“Leaving everyone with a beautiful memory is enough,” she said, stressing that her retirement was a personal, voluntary decision unrelated to romance.

For years, there had been speculation that she "left the industry due to heartbreak" after learning that her then-boyfriend, Taiwanese rocker Chyi Chin, whom she was reportedly planning to marry, had a son with his ex-partner.

Having stayed out of the spotlight for many years, Joey has since focused her life on personal wellness and growth.

At her Silicon Valley appearance, she wore her signature long hair and a black mask.

Netizens noted that her eyes appeared noticeably puffy, and she seemed to have difficulty opening her left eye.

Speculation ranged from aging, lack of sleep, or allergic inflammation, to possible aftereffects from a 2013 car accident or traces of cosmetic procedures.

The Weibo topic “What’s wrong with Joey Wong’s eyes?” quickly became a trending discussion.

Many fans, however, urged the public not to overanalyse her appearance and instead left messages wishing her good health.