Hong Kong movie star Chow Yun-fat, who loves running, has been warmly embracing fans who recognize him and ask for photos in recent years. However, a video recently shared by a netizen shows a different side of Chow Yun-fat’s encounter with fans in Shanghai, where he was reportedly not too happy to pose for a photo when approached by a fan while jogging along the Bund.
In the video posted on social media by a netizen, Chow Yun-fat can be seen jogging alone on the Bund in Shanghai. Many fans surrounded him asking for photos, and despite being a bit overwhelmed, he still took the time to pose with each one individually. As usual, he took the fans’ phones, pressed the shutter for a selfie, flashed a slight smile, handed back the phone, and continued his run.
During the encounter, a young girl in a white shirt and wearing a white mask excitedly approached Chow Yun-fat. When she handed him her phone for a photo, Chow Yun-fat paused, gazed at her with a slightly displeased expression. The girl then realized and quickly took off her mask to face the camera. It was only then that Chow Yun-fat snapped the photo.
After seeing the clip, some netizens speculated that Chow Yun-fat might not have been in a good mood that day, noting his quick change in demeanor after taking photos, which led to comments labeling him as “fake smiling,” “having a dark expression,” or as a “master of changing faces.”
However, other netizens defended Chow Yun-fat, empathizing with the pressures of constant photo requests. They mentioned the challenges of always having to wear a smile and the normalcy of feeling impatient at times when constantly approached for photos.
Chow Yun-fat, well-known for his numerous classic movies, remains down-to-earth despite his fame and stardom. He is often spotted enjoying street food, using public transportation like the subway or bus, and at almost seventy years old, maintains his habit of hiking and running. Even when promoting movies abroad, he never misses a day of running. Fans often have chance encounters with him, and he always personally takes photos with them, joking that if he wasn’t an actor, he would be a sportsman.