Jackie Chan: Why the Action Star is Hated in Hong Kong

To many in the West, Jackie Chan is a martial arts star and action hero. But back in his birthplace of Hong Kong, he remains deeply unpopular—particularly among the embattled city’s pro-democracy movement. This is the story of a complex Chinese actor.

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[RandomBlackGamer]

To make a long story short he's paid and bought for like any other celebrity.

[EastAsianCinemaHistory]

Hong Kongers disliked Jackie Chan long before he expressed his political beliefs. His reputation died after his extramarital affairs and ill treatment of his illegitimate daughter.

[timbotook]

You skipped over the part of his life where his parents took him back to China to be raised in the Chinese Opera Academy. He grew up under some of the most harshly disciplined Chinese rule. He did not have the freedoms of most raised in Hong Kong, so it makes sense he doesn't sympathize as much as people would expect.

[SAMZIRRA]

Fun Fact: Jackie has made more money as a music recording artist than a movie star. Easy to wrap your head around when you realize that a musician that is popular in China compared to the USA can easily become a billionaire if only 1% of the population buys their music because there are so many people.

[F_Buck]

People seem to forget about one VERY important fact: Jackie Chan is the last person on earth you should ask about political agendas! Remember, he spend his entire childhood in the Peking Opera where he was trained in Martial Arts. There has no education provided to him, he couldn't even read after leaving the school. In his biography he even says that to this day he is struggling with writing autographs for fans. Everything he learned in live came from the film industry, he was never taught on any political subject. So when mainland China opened his hands and welcomed him after 1998 to support his movie making, it seems natural to me that he is not interested in Communism or Democracy, as long as he can continue to do what he does best. He is no traitor to anyone, he is just saying stuff that from his point of view isn't even a political statement - he's just never grown up to be able to give political statements.

[celestialgoddess]

Well, a Chinese celebrity is always expected to agree to their government because if they don't, it will be the end of their career. People and major brands and networks will boycott them.

[mariohall]

When Bruce Lee was alive Hong Kong was a British Colony, so he never had to answer to the Chinese Government.

[dankonishi]

I remember when Jackie Chan was on Late Night With David Letterman. He talked about when Hong Kong was transferred from the UK to China meeting the Queen of England. He said that Taiwan is next. I wish it was on YouTube. But it was aired in 1997. So he’s been devoted to China for a long time.

[davidcomito]

I feel like Jackie will always make the decision that benefits him the most professionally. If going against mainland China will hurt him professionally, he won't do that.

[johnbarron]

*"You Either Die A Hero, Or You Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become The Villain"*

[ducktail]

i will always love jackie chan's movies and the characters he plays in his movies. That does not mean I have to love his personal life or support his opinions and ideologies.

[stevoxyzstevoxyz]

Jackie's movies get less popular among the HK audience when he passed his prime in stunt act. Jackie did not change his movie style, every subsequent movie features a similar storyline but lighter stunt acts, I think that's why he went to Hollywood because his stunt act is still unique over there at the time. His private life sinks his image in HK, nowadays people around his generation remember him for his marital affair.

[cricuts]

Many watch him for his martial arts skills and not for political alignment.

[elmalifico]

Man I remember when son got busted for weed and had to go to jail. Initially I was disappointed that Jackie let his didn’t help his son, then realized that unlike other spoiled kids he let his son face the consequences like an adult big ups to Jackie for that.

[screenapple]

Hong Kong idolizes BRUCE LEE more than Jackie Chan. lol.

[Goofiest-Gooberh]

"The 5star red Chinese flag us respected around the world" I see he still has that comedy in him lmao

[azure]

Exactly why I don't idolize celebrities or musicians, I can be a huge fan of someone's work, but not necessarily the individual themselves.

[MrKeel]

Jackie Chan cartoon was my favorite thing to watch as a kid

[feels.like.coffee]

Most people in Hong Kong who are a bit older, with stable jobs and families to take care of are against the protests. Jackie falls squarely in that demographic. So it's to be expected that he would be against it too.

[ChenLinYu]

It's funny af I saw many ppl in west saying that he's the only celebrity with zero hate from ppl, everyone loves him, even apart from politics he was criticized a lot because of his sex scandals, illegitimate daughter, his attitude on cheating on wife, his spoiled son got caught in beijing relating to drugs, what a mess.