Jet Li's ambitions at age 63
Apr 04, 2026
Seoul [South Korea], April 4: According to HK01 , Jet Li recently entered the short film market and participated in a Chinese martial arts film titled " The Power of the Jianghu ." In a recent interview, the martial arts star revealed that he doesn't aim for leading roles but hopes to build a "kungfu short film universe," creating a platform for young people who love martial arts to showcase their talents. Through this, the artist wants to contribute to preserving and transmitting the essence of Chinese martial arts. He said this is a long-held dream, and his participation in the short film market is a way to realize that dream.
Jet Li believes that compared to large-scale film projects, short films have a lower threshold of accessibility, thus providing more opportunities for young martial arts enthusiasts to showcase their talent and gain public recognition. The star of the Once Upon a Time in China films declared that he is willing to take on supporting roles in new projects, stepping back to support the younger generation of actors, wholeheartedly assisting and creating opportunities for young actors to develop and fulfill their dreams.
Since January 2026, Jet Li has been in Chongqing to attend the filming of the martial arts short film project " The Power of the Jianghu ." He shared that although he only plays a supporting role, he has high expectations for the work and the cultural significance it brings.
In recent years, the short film market has boomed in China, with its size projected to exceed 100 billion yuan by 2027. More and more big stars in the Chinese entertainment industry are expanding their activities in this promising market. Before Jet Li, many artists such as Liu Xiaqing , Li Ruotong , and Ye Xuan had already entered this field and achieved their own success.
Jet Li was born in 1963 in Beijing but later changed his citizenship from Chinese to American and then Singaporean . He is one of the most valuable martial arts stars in Chinese cinema, famous for films such as: Shaolin Temple, Once Upon a Time in China, Fong Sai Yuk, Hero, Fist of Legend, King of Kung Fu, Fearless, The Lone Swordsman, and Ultimate Weapon . The actor was previously married before marrying Miss Asia Li Zhi in 1999. They have two beautiful and highly educated daughters, Jane and Jada.
Over the years, Jet Li has experienced numerous health setbacks. He has repeatedly denied rumors of his death and undergone a heart transplant to prolong his life. The artist took a break from acting to focus on his health, dedicate himself to spiritual practice, and support his daughter in overcoming depression. After his near-death experiences, he cherishes life and calmly accepts impermanence. The veteran actor shared: "Knowing that I will die, should I worry about it every day until it happens, or knowing that it will happen someday, should I cherish how I live each day? I think living well each day is more important."
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper