Hong Kong director Wong Jing recently started a YouTube channel Wong Jing World where he shares many interesting anecdotes and unknown secrets of the entertainment industry.
In the latest episode released last weekend, the 69-year-old revealed a lesser-known side of martial arts legend Jet Li, 61.
Wong Jing said that his past collaborations with Jet were always pleasant, and, in his opinion, the star, whom he described as “very refined, very quiet, and emotionally very stable”, is the most knowledgeable martial artist.
However, when asked how Jet is like in private, Wong Jing couldn’t help but remark: “He has a similar characteristics as Stephen Chow — Jet Li also clearly distinguishes between personal interests and friendships. Director Corey Yuen even told me, ‘Don’t think you can take advantage of Jet Li, but he won’t take advantage of you either.'”
Wong Jing candidly admitted that although Jet prioritises his own interests, it’s understandable.
Unlike Stephen, who “values money more than friendship”, Jet is a friend worth keeping and has good character — a man who treats his family and wife well can’t be too bad, noted Wong Jing.
He added that even when Jet declines work offers or if collaborations don’t work out, his attitude is always very good.
Though Jet is widely regarded as one of the most renowned martial arts stars of his generation, he has never trained at Shaolin Temple.
“Except for [Chinese actors] Wang Baoqiang and Shi Xingyu, who genuinely came from Shaolin Temple, the others have not been there,” revealed Wong Jing.
It turns out that Jet, who grew up in poverty, started learning martial arts in a wushu team from a young age so he could have three meals a day.
He participated in competitive wushu and was a five-time Chinese wushu champion in the mid ’70s.
“When Jet picks up any weapon and practices any martial art style, even if he hasn’t learned it before, he quickly masters it, and it always has the right feel,” said Wong Jing.
To him, apart from Jackie Chan, Jet is the most successful Chinese martial arts star in Hollywood.