At 49, award-winning actress and now film director Shu Qi is enjoying a new era in her career. Her directorial debut Girl recently earned her the Best Director Award at the Busan International Film Festival, cementing her evolution from a controversial past to artistic acclaim.
But as Shu Qi celebrates her latest success, an explosive revelation from Hong Kong producer and filmmaker Huang Wenquan has reignited discussions about her early years — particularly, the 18+ film contract that almost derailed her life.
In a new video uploaded to his personal YouTube channel, Huang Wenquan revisited the tumultuous story of how he “rescued” Shu Qi from a predatory deal with Taiwanese film mogul Hsia Chun Hung during the 1990s.
According to Huang, the saga began in 1995, when Hong Kong director Wong Jing spotted Shu Qi on the cover of Taiwan’s Easy Finder magazine. Captivated by her striking beauty, Wong sought to bring her to Hong Kong for a series of Category III (adult-rated) films and enlisted Huang Wenquan to broker the deal.
At the time, Shu Qi — then an aspiring model in Taichung, Taiwan — was already known for posing in Penthouse and appearing in the erotic drama Unexpected Challenges. Her manager, the late Tai Cheng Liang, son of veteran filmmaker Tai Yang Ming, facilitated the meeting.
“She showed up hours late,” Huang recalled. “She looked tired and detached — but her full lips were unforgettable. That’s what caught everyone’s attention.”
Negotiations went smoothly, and a contract for three films was signed. But soon after, Wong Jing discovered that Shu Qi’s manager had already signed a six-film deal with Hsia Chun Hung — a notorious Taiwanese producer — under which only one film (Unexpected Challenges) had been shot.
When Huang Wenquan attempted to buy out the contract, Hsia Chun Hung refused.
“He told me, ‘If I want her to film Category III, she will. Even Category IV if I say so. You’ll never buy her out,’” Huang alleged.
Upon reviewing the original contract, Huang discovered that Shu Qi had signed it while underage. Seizing the opportunity, he filed a legal complaint in Taiwan to nullify the agreement — and won, both in the initial trial and on appeal.
According to Huang, Hsia’s associates later confronted him in person, demanding “hush money” and threatening to leak private materials involving Shu Qi. He refused to pay, claiming he “had ways to silence the problem legally.”
Eventually, Huang succeeded in bringing Shu Qi safely to Hong Kong, marking the beginning of her transformation from scandal to stardom.
In Hong Kong, Shu Qi began her career appearing in Category III films such as Viva Erotica and Sex & Zen II. However, Viva Erotica became the turning point. Directed by Derek Yee and co-starring Leslie Cheung, the semi-autobiographical film blurred the lines between commercial and artistic cinema, turning Shu Qi’s once-stigmatized background into a commentary on the industry itself.
Her performance earned her Best New Performer and Best Supporting Actress at the 16th Hong Kong Film Awards, firmly establishing her as a legitimate artist.
But Huang Wenquan’s revelations didn’t stop there. He alleged that Shu Qi’s former manager, Tai Cheng Liang, treated her like a “money machine.” When Tai later requested a blank film contract, Huang refused, suspecting it would be used to exploit her further.
“Shu Qi came to Hong Kong alone, working hard and putting her body on the line,” Huang said. “And he still wanted to profit off her suffering. I couldn’t allow that.”
Though Shu Qi has not commented publicly on Huang’s statements, the story reignites long-buried questions about exploitation, consent, and the vulnerability of young women in Asia’s entertainment industry.
Today, Shu Qi stands as one of the most respected actresses in Chinese-language cinema — an artist who not only survived but redefined her narrative. Her journey from Category III actress to Cannes Film Festival red carpet icon remains one of the most compelling transformations in modern Asian film history.
Sources: Netizenbuzz