Director Wong Jing Says Personality Clash, Not Scandal, Drove Cecilia Cheung and Nicholas Tse’s Divorce
Veteran Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Jing stunned netizens this week when, during a televised interview, he offered a candid assessment of why his former collaborators Cecilia Cheung and Nicholas Tse ended their marriage. The director, who worked with the pair on the 2018 drama “Wujia Zhishang,” said the divorce was not the result of external meddling or financial strain – as tabloids have long suggested – but rather an inexorable clash of personalities that became evident on set.
17 August 2025
Wong recalled Cheung, who was cooking for the child actors during a break, “constantly berating” Tse in front of the crew. He described how she would “scold him about everything, from his attitude to his work ethic,” while simultaneously demonstrating maternal devotion – applying medicine to the actor’s injured finger each night and preparing meals for the children. “I could see how much she loved him,” Wong said, “but the way she expressed her dissatisfaction made it clear that their marriage was hard to sustain.”
The director’s remarks arrive amid renewed speculation about Cheung’s secret 2018 child. In a separate interview, Cheung confirmed she gave birth that year but denied that Tse was the father, adding another layer to the public’s fascination with the couple’s private lives. Tse, who has long kept his personal affairs out of the spotlight, has not publicly commented on the paternity question.
Since Cheung and Tse announced their separation in 2011, their relationship has been a staple of Hong Kong’s entertainment gossip. The “y‑photo” scandal involving Edison Chen in 2008 – a cache of intimate images that implicated both Cheung and then‑boyfriend Daniel Wu – was widely blamed for destabilising the marriage. Yet Wong’s inside perspective shifts the focus from that external scandal to the day‑to‑day dynamics that, according to him, made the union untenable.
Social media in mainland China and Hong Kong erupted with reactions to Wong’s disclosure. Many users reminisced about the couple’s early years, posting nostalgic comments such as “They were so sweet on variety shows, his eyes were always on Cecilia.” Others expressed sympathy, lamenting “what a pity” that a marriage built on genuine affection could dissolve. The specific anecdote of Cheung “scolding him while cooking” resonated, with some netizens noting that the image of a loving partner who also frequently vents frustration painted a more nuanced portrait of marital strain.
A recurring theme in the commentary was the lingering impact of the Edison Chen photo scandal. Several users mused that, “If not for the photo scandal, they might have grown old together,” suggesting that the public humiliation may have amplified existing incompatibilities. Yet many also praised the former spouses for their post‑divorce conduct, noting that “even after separating, they never slandered each other,” a rarity in the region’s celebrity culture.
Beyond the personal drama, Wong’s comments have ignited broader conversations about narrative control in the entertainment industry. By revealing intimate details years after the fact, a senior director can reshape public memory and influence how future projects and endorsements are received. The episode underscores a delicate balance that Hong Kong celebrities must strike between protecting privacy and satisfying a media ecosystem that thrives on behind‑the‑scenes stories.
The incident also revives debate over media ethics and freedom of expression. While Hong Kong enjoys relative press freedom, the practice of divulging private anecdotes—especially those that could affect a celebrity’s reputation—raises questions about the line between legitimate insider insight and voyeuristic gossip. In societies with tighter media regulation, such disclosures might encounter legal challenges or stricter privacy safeguards.
For the public, Wong’s revelation aligns with a growing cynicism about the permanence of romantic vows. Comments echoing sentiments like “wedding vows cannot guarantee everlasting true feelings” reflect a shift toward realistic, even philosophical, views of love. The story of Cheung and Tse, once portrayed as a fairy‑tale pairing, now serves as a cautionary tale about how personal incompatibility, amplified by public scrutiny, can erode even the most passionate relationships.
In sum, Wong Jing’s candid account adds a fresh layer to the long‑standing narrative of Cecilia Cheung and Nicholas Tse’s divorce. By foregrounding personality clashes and everyday grievances over sensational scandals, the director invites audiences to reconsider the complex, often unseen pressures that shape celebrity marriages. The episode not only deepens our understanding of two of Hong Kong’s most beloved stars but also highlights the evolving dynamics of celebrity culture, public empathy, and the ethics of storytelling in the digital age.
