Exploring the Career and Controversies of Martial Arts Icon Xu Shao-qiang

On September 15th, HK01 reported the tragic news that renowned actor Xu Shao-qiang has passed away in Beijing after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. His wife, only 43 years old, also succumbed to a heart attack, which was attributed to the overwhelming grief and exhaustion she faced while organizing her husband’s funeral. This shocking news has left many of Xu Shao-qiang’s colleagues and fans from the golden era of Hong Kong cinema in the 1970s and 1980s deeply saddened.

The information was confirmed by Xu Shao-qiang’s daughter, Xu Ying-kun. “Thank you for everyone’s concern. I hope the audience will give our family some space to deal with this loss,” she stated.

Xu Shao-qiang enrolled in Shaw Brothers’ third training class in 1972, quickly transitioning into a successful acting career. During the booming era of martial arts films in the 1970s, he became a household name, starring in acclaimed productions such as “Bastard Swordsman” , “Heroes of Sui and Tang” , “The Steward” , “Legend of the Fist: Chen Zhen” , “Wudang II” , “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1977)” , “The Return of the Condor Heroes (1998)” , and “King of Beggars” . His role as Yun Fei-yang in “Bastard Swordsman” remains one of his most iconic performances, forever linked to his legacy.

In the realm of martial arts cinema, Xu Shao-qiang often found himself in intense showdowns with notable stars including Wu Jing, Jacky Cheung, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and especially Andy Lau, solidifying his reputation as one of the leading martial arts stars of his time.

Over his prolific early career, Xu Shao-qiang appeared in more than 100 films and television productions, predominantly portraying heroic characters or unforgettable villains. One of his most celebrated roles was in Stephen Chow’s “King of Beggars” (1992). Alongside acting, he ventured into film production with friends until the Hong Kong film industry faced challenging times. In recent years, he worked less frequently in Hong Kong, opting to settle in Beijing and focus on the mainland market, while occasionally contributing to film and television projects.

Recent works featuring Xu Shao-qiang include “The Twin Flower Legend” , “New Strange Tales from Liaozhai” , “The Wind and Cloud of Ban Na” , “Detective Chen (2022)” , “Nine Continents Dragon” , “The Spirit Hunt” , “Injustice Chronicles: The Iron Gate of Western Xia” , and “The Ghost Case of Xiangxi” . Notably, he has six unreleased films that have already been filmed.

As reported by “Mirror Media” , despite Xu Shao-qiang’s successful career, his personal life frequently drew public scrutiny. His most publicized relationship was a seven-year affair with actress Yuet Lei, famously known as “Li Mochou” , which began when she was just 15.

His first marriage was to a 25-year-old named Zhang Xiao-feng, who was not involved in the entertainment industry, though it only lasted four years. In 1980, he married He Shu-kuan, with whom he had a son, Xu Yi-dong. However, less than two years later, Xu Shao-qiang secretly began an affair with Yuet Lei, then still a minor.

During the filming of “Ghost Nursing” , for which Xu was an investor, Yuet Lei developed feelings for him after a party. Despite her family’s objections, she was deeply invested in the relationship. According to reports from Ifeng, she only learned of Xu’s marriage when she became pregnant, yet she chose to keep the child out of love.

Eventually, Xu Shao-qiang divorced his wife to start a life with Yuet Lei. Three years after the birth of their first son, Snow gave birth to a daughter, Xu Ying-kun. Despite Yuet Lei’s hopes for a faithful partnership, Xu Shao-qiang continued to seek affairs, leaving Snow and their children behind.

The couple planned to marry in 1986, but on the day of registration, Xu forgot his divorce certificate. This mishap created tension between them, and by 1988, they parted ways, with Yuet Lei accepting her life as a single mother.

Reflecting on her tumultuous life, Yuet Lei said: “Even though I encountered a bad man, I was blessed with two wonderful children. They are the greatest gifts from the heavens. I’ve always taken responsibility for my actions and never cared about what others think. If I hadn’t decided to be a single mother, maybe my life would have been different. But who can guarantee that would have been better?”

After Xu’s passing, Yuet Lei shared her condolences on social media: “Rest in peace, Xu Shao-qiang.”

In 2005, the martial arts star wed a woman 30 years his junior, with whom he had a son and a daughter. Nevertheless, his flirtatious behavior persisted, with photos surfacing of him being close with actress Luo Wenqi, 23 years old. Reports from Chinese media alleged their involvement since 2016, with Xu referring to Luo as his “adopted sister” to deflect gossip.

His explanation failed to gain substantial sympathy from the public. The actor contended that his family was intact and that his wife was untroubled by the online rumors. Following this scandal, Xu Shao-qiang adopted a lower profile, with paparazzi occasionally spotting him casually shopping with his wife and children.

Source