Actress Joey Wong (Wang Zuxian) has made her comeback after 22 years in the AI-powered short film "Qian Ying," and her nostalgic appearance has sparked mixed reactions online.

Known for her roles in films such as the "A Chinese Ghost Story" series and immensely popular in the 80s and 90s, Joey Wong stepped away from the entertainment industry after her last film, "Shanghai Story," in 2004 and moved to Canada. Recently, an online game advertisement short film "Qian Ying," produced using AI with Joey Wong's authorized portraits from her prime in her 20s and 30s, was released.

In "Qian Ying," classic characters such as Nie Xiaoqian, the beautiful ghost from "A Chinese Ghost Story," are recreated. While this evoked memories for many fans, numerous voices questioned whether "a comeback via AI" was truly appropriate, with opinions like "unacceptable" being prominent online. Harsh comments followed, such as "Her features are well-defined, but her eyes lack vitality," "Joey Wong's radiance has disappeared," and "It's just an appearance without a soul. Her lively eyes were her greatest charm."

Regarding these concerns and discussions about AI technology, Joey Wong commented, "We are using AI; AI is not using us." She explained that her decision was driven by a desire to revive classic characters on screen with the help of technology and allow fans to feel nostalgic once more. She also clarified that she has no intention of making a full return as an actress.

According to Joey Wong, she accepted the offer without much hesitation because she has loved games since she was young. She stated that the most important thing is maintaining her own agency and expressed a positive attitude towards connecting with the younger generation through new media, saying, "It's not a bad thing." (Mathilda)