Former actress and “The most beautiful Shanghai” star, Ruby Wong, who announced her retirement after filming the movie in 2004, recently made a rare appearance on mainland China’s comedian Li Dan’s podcast program “Mutual Concern.” When asked about the last time she was in a relationship, Ruby Wong candidly stated, “It was the one that everyone knows about.” She admitted that since ending her 15-year romance with Chyi Chin in 2002, she has not been in any relationship and described that past relationship as “settling the emotional debt.”
Ruby Wong and Chyi Chin’s relationship blossomed when they starred in the movie “Grass Green and Skies Blue.” Despite experiencing ups and downs and even discussing marriage at one point, the relationship eventually ended in a breakup. Reflecting on this intensely public romance, Ruby Wong now expresses a sense of calm, revealing that she has come to terms with many aspects of destiny, saying, “That love was a debt, and I feel like I’ve paid it off.”
Since parting ways with Chyi Chin, Ruby Wong has not embarked on any new relationships and stated that the word “marriage” is not in her dictionary. She believes that pure love is beautiful, but the word “emotion” carries elements of possession and jealousy. She now sees things with a broader perspective, with “only love in her heart, devoid of emotion.” Seeing that Chyi Chin has started a family, she can only offer her blessings.
During the interview, Ruby Wong for the first time denied the long-standing rumor of “quitting the entertainment industry due to emotional distress.” She admitted that she never enjoyed the spotlight and the hectic rhythms of film production, stating that retiring was a natural progression in her life, attributing it to the ebb and flow of fate.
Recalling her iconic roles, Ruby Wong shared the experience of actively persuading the producer, Tsui Hark, for the role of “Nie Xiaoqian” in the film “A Chinese Ghost Story.” She also mentioned how Leslie Cheung encouraged her on set, saying “Don’t be afraid,” among other heartwarming details.
When filming “A Chinese Ghost Story” in 1987, Leslie Cheung, who was already a superstar, provided meticulous care to Ruby Wong, who was only 19 years old and new to filming in Hong Kong. Coming from Taiwan, she did not speak Cantonese, and the crew communicated solely in Cantonese, making her feel isolated and afraid. Leslie Cheung, proficient in Mandarin, actively communicated with her and even translated the Cantonese dialogues for her, helping her overcome the language barrier.
In a scene in the sequel “A Chinese Ghost Story II: A Fateful Ending,” which required the special effect of “fire-swallowing,” Ruby Wong was afraid and failed multiple times. Seeing this, Leslie Cheung did not rush her but demonstrated the techniques personally, practiced with her patiently, and comforted her until she gathered the courage to successfully complete the filming.
In scenes involving risky martial arts actions or wire stunts, Leslie Cheung would often try them first to ensure safety before allowing Ruby Wong to perform.
It was this brotherly care and warmth that Ruby Wong experienced on set that led her to sincerely call Leslie Cheung “brother” in private. This affectionate title soon spread among the crew and eventually became the classic nickname for Leslie Cheung in the Chinese entertainment circle.
After stepping back from the entertainment industry, Ruby Wong settled in Canada and opened an acupuncture clinic called “Acupuncture Sensation,” dedicated to promoting traditional Chinese medicine. In the podcast, she jokingly remarked that Li Dan had a “heavy dampness,” revealing a carefree aspect of her current life.
As for why Ruby Wong agreed to be interviewed by Li Dan, according to Chinese media Sina, Ruby Wong revealed that hearing people’s descriptions of Li Dan gave her a strong intuition. She compared Li Dan to talk show hosts she had interacted with before, such as Tsai Kang-yung, Wong Jim, Ni Kuang, and Tsai Lan, believing that he was someone she could resonate with in this third stage of her life. She found her conversation with Li Dan very comfortable, explaining the intriguing connection between them.
In an interesting turn of events during the program’s planning stage, Li Dan had jokingly wished to interview Ruby Wong, who had been away from the limelight for 22 years. Unexpectedly, the program team traveled to Canada to facilitate this exclusive interview, marking Ruby Wong’s first public appearance after fading from the public eye.