Taiwanese former actress Joey Wong recently spoke about her struggles with depression after leaving the entertainment industry. She shared her story during a forum on traditional Chinese medicine at the University of California, Silicon Valley, on January 4, 2026. Joey, now 58, explained why she retired from showbiz at the peak of her career in 2004.
Joey Wong Reveals Depression After Leaving Showbiz
Joey started her acting career in 1983 with the Taiwanese film It Will Be Cold by the Lakeside This Year. She became widely popular with the 1987 Hong Kong film A Chinese Ghost Story, where she played the ghost Nip Siu Sin. Over the years, she acted in many films, often playing supernatural characters. Despite her success, Joey said she was not passionate about her work when she started acting at a young age. She felt that she had to take opportunities even if she did not truly want to.
She left the industry after filming Shanghai Story and moved to Canada. Joey revealed that life in showbiz affected her health. She could not sleep or eat properly, and her busy schedule caused her stress. She reflected on her life and asked herself, “I have worked hard for so long, why do so many people know me, but I don’t know them at all?” This confusion and pressure led to depression, and she felt lost for some time.
Joey said she later found peace through religion and traditional Chinese medicine treatment. She also clarified rumors that her retirement was due to relationship problems. In the past, Joey had a long on-and-off relationship with Taiwanese singer Chyi Chin and was involved with Hong Kong businessman Peter Lam, but these were not the reasons for her career break. Her decision to leave was personal and based on wanting to preserve her well-being and leave showbiz on a high note.
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Today, Joey runs a moxibustion therapy center in Vancouver. She continues to focus on her mental and physical health and shares her story to inspire others who face challenges in their careers or personal lives. Joey’s experience highlights that even successful people can struggle with mental health and that taking care of oneself is important.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
