Actress Joey Wong has shared a heartfelt tribute to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of Leslie Cheung’s passing.
On her personal page, Joey Wong posted a video revisiting the iconic characters of Nie Xiaoqian and Ning Caichen, roles played by her and Leslie Cheung in A Chinese Ghost Story, inspired by Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio.
The video blends present-day footage of Wong sitting by the sea in Vancouver with images of Leslie Cheung, creating a deeply emotional atmosphere. She captioned the clip in Chinese: “Although there are many things I never had the chance to tell you, your memories will always fill my heart.”
April 1 marks the 23rd anniversary of Leslie Cheung’s passing. Fans around the world have honored the late star in various ways. Singer Leo Ku shared a midnight tribute, using the song Dear Leslie to express lasting admiration and longing. Actress Anita Yuen also posted a pink emoji along with old photos, conveying her deep affection and memory of her dear friend.
In addition to other artists, major media outlets in Hong Kong and mainland China also paid tribute through commemorative posts. One publication wrote: “Twenty-three years have passed, the wind still blows and the desire never fades. This April we remember Leslie Cheung.” Another quoted the lyrics from Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter: “Spring would be so beautiful if you were still here,” capturing the lasting pain felt by many.
Born on September 12, 1956, Leslie Cheung was a legendary figure in both music and film, often hailed as “the Elvis of Hong Kong” for his influence on Cantopop in the 1980s. However, his path to success was not easy, as he faced initial setbacks, including poor album sales and lukewarm reception from the public.
Beyond music, his acting career has left an indelible mark. He has starred in numerous acclaimed films such as A Better Tomorrow II, Rouge, A Chinese Ghost Story, Days of Being Wild, Ashes of Time and Farewell My Concubine. Her performance in Farewell My Concubine helped the film win the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival, the only time a Hong Kong film has received this honor.
Over the 26 years of his career, from 1977 until his passing, Leslie Cheung released over 40 albums and appeared in 56 films, building a legacy of immense artistic value.
He died on April 1, 2003, after falling from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. It was widely reported that he had struggled with depression. The tragic April Fool’s Day moment initially led some to believe it was a hoax, with rumors even suggesting he was hiding out in Europe.
Sources: Ngoisao
