Tony Leung Chiu-Wai: Acting Sexy in Hong Kong and China

Gallagher, Mark

Abstract

To account for the complex performative and cultural phenomenon of cinematic sex appeal, this article investigates Chinese actor Tony Leung Chiu-Wai Leung as a regional and global star, focusing on attributes of his acting that convey sex appeal or have been received as sexy. Leung appears as a popular star in a regional Asian context but as a more rarefied, art-cinema performer internationally. Despite this bifurcated reputation, his sex appeal provides a powerful symbolic currency bankable in local as well as global contexts. Through attention to the elusive category of sex appeal, I identify features of Leung’s acting and stardom that inform his overall career activity.

Citation

Gallagher, M. (2016). Tony Leung Chiu-Wai: Acting Sexy in Hong Kong and China. Asian Cinema, 27(1), 43-58. doi:10.1386/ac.27.1.43_1

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 1, 2016
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Sep 17, 2018
• Print ISSN: 1059-440X
• Publisher: Intellect
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 43-58
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1386/ac.27.1.43_1
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1112759
• Publisher URL: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/intellect/ac/2016/00000027/00000001/art00005;jsessionid=emllq0cjbc6at.x-ic-live-03