Joey Wong Cho-yee, also known as Joey Wong Cho-yin and Joey Wang, is one of the most iconic actresses of the 1980s and 90s Hong Kong entertainment scene. Born in 1967 in Taipei, Wong initially pursued a career in basketball and modeling before transitioning to acting. She gained early attention with a role in the Taiwanese film It’ll Be Cold by the Lakeside This Year (1983), which led to her discovery by Shaw Brothers producer Mona Fong Yat-wah. This opportunity prompted Wong to move to Hong Kong, where she quickly rose to prominence.
Wong’s breakthrough came in 1987 with her role in A Chinese Ghost Story. Directed by Ching Siu-tung and produced by Tsui Hark, the film was a critical and commercial success, establishing Wong as a leading actress in the genre of fantasy and supernatural films. A Chinese Ghost Story tells the tale of a debt collector who falls in love with a ghost, a role that Wong initially had to audition for despite being passed over initially due to her height. Her persistence paid off, and she was ultimately cast in the iconic role.
The film achieved cult status across Asia and won several awards, including five categories at the 24th Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan. Wong received a Best Actress nomination at the 7th Hong Kong Film Awards, solidifying her status as a major star. She continued to appear in sequels such as A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990) and A Chinese Ghost Story III (1991), as well as other notable films like The Reincarnation of Golden Lotus (1989) and Demoness from Thousand Years (1990).
Wong collaborated frequently with directors Wong Jing and Tsui Hark. Notable films include God of Gamblers (1989), Casino Tycoon (1992), City Hunter (1993), and Green Snake (1993), where she played the White Snake opposite Maggie Cheung’s Green Snake.
Beyond acting, Wong also ventured into music, releasing singles and an album. She retired from the entertainment industry in 1994 but made brief returns with the Japanese film Peking Genjin (1997) and the television series Seikimatsu no Uta (1998). Her final film appearances were in Peony Pavilion (2001) and Shanghai Story (2004).
Wong had a long-term, on-off relationship with Taiwanese actor and singer Chyi Chin, which ended in 2002. Despite discussing marriage in interviews, she
never married, emphasizing the importance of a deep spiritual connection in a lifelong partnership.
Today, Joey Wong lives a quiet life in Canada, away from the public eye. She occasionally reappears briefly, reminding fans of her enduring legacy. Reflecting on her career, Wong once said, “In life, performing is just one particular stage. If you change the stage, you can still enjoy it. Life is a whole play.”
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