Pictured above: Moon Lee with her unlikely teenage lover-boy Zong Tianyi, 2004
The more I study the Moon Lee sexual misconduct that lead to her divorce and downfall, the more I am fascinated by all the interpretations and implications, especially among the Chinese. Even though Moon makes the “top-ten” list of sexual improprieties in most writings by Chinese pundits, her ranking can vary remarkably depending on the observer. Yet Moon’s illicit affair was so bizarre and absurd that it should have guaranteed her the number one spot if only the other sinners were not more famous as entertainers. She has been out of the celebrity limelight for so long: that is why her spectacular “closet affair” would be often eclipsed by lesser transgressions of other more famous stars.
Most of the sexual misconduct attributable to Chinese celebrities was easily understandable based on actions arising out of normal sexual appetites. But Moon Lee’s actions and choices were emphatically incomprehensible: a) she was sexually attracted to a boy who was still a teenager and twenty-two years younger; b) the boy also became her adopted son which added an incestuous component; c) the boy was unattractive by standards of his contemporaries, as well as impoverished and uneducated; d) Moon was de facto this boy’s employer thereby constituting “sexual abuse” in the workplace; e) the affair was not an impulsive “one night stand” but rather a determined choice, lasting two years before it was interrupted by accidental discovery.
Can there be any salvation from the above notorious bad choices? How did the beloved “angel” of Hong Kong action films reach so low while being married and mother to two children? Since her divorce, this once darling of kung fu films has revealed absolutely nothing except for blog articles about her hobbies involving cooking and travel. As I studied her past successes and her more recent failures as a third party observer, even though I am inclined to hate her for extraordinary foolishness, I cannot avoid feeling sorry for her. American celebrities have lost their lives over foolishness with serious drugs, but that finality of death avoids the transgressor facing indefinite shame and mockery. Regardless of very public denials, poor Moon Lee knows exactly what happened to her life. She can hide the truth from certain fans, but she cannot hide from herself. I believe this will gnaw at her in the worst way for the rest of her life. And for this heartache, there is no cure! Indeed, this is real tragedy!
Natalia Khan Daniel
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