HONG KONG, Oct 4 — When it comes to viral moments, sometimes a snapshot doesn’t tell the full story.
Hong Kong icon Jackie Chan, 71, recently found himself at the centre of online controversy after a brief moment with Cantopop star Joey Yung at The Greater Bay Area Film Concert 2025 in Macau went viral on Xiaohongshu.
In the now widely circulated clip, Chan can be seen gently patting Yung, 45, on the back while she was seated beside him in a bare-back evening gown.
Some social media users were quick to accuse the martial arts legend of inappropriate behaviour, even alleging that Emperor Group chairman Albert Yeung — whose company manages Yung — “rushed to her rescue.”
The online backlash was swift, with some netizens calling Chan a “salty pig’s hand,” a Cantonese insult used to describe men who grope women.
But according to Yung’s manager, Mani Fok, the moment was blown completely out of proportion.
Speaking to Hong Kong outlet HK01, Fok clarified that the stars — including Chan, Yung, Yeung, Taiwanese singer Wang Leehom and Chinese actor Xiao Zhan — were simply rearranging seats to take a group photo.
“Jackie was only tapping Joey’s shoulder to remind her to move back to her original seat,” Fok explained, adding that the veteran actor has always treated Yung with respect.
“He watched Joey grow up and is a very gentlemanly person.”
Fok also pointed out that Albert Yeung stood up before Chan even reached out, debunking the claim that he was stepping in to “protect” the singer.
So, for those quick to jump to conclusions — it looks like this viral moment was nothing more than a friendly tap between longtime friends.
