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Chien-Lien Wu

Chien-Lien Wu

Actor · Born July 3, 1968 (58) · Taipei, Taiwan

Jacklyn Wu Chien-Lien, 吳倩蓮, sometimes also spelt Jacqueline Wu Chien-Lien (born July 3, 1968), is a Taiwanese actress and singer. She is best remembered by Western audiences for her role in Ang Lee's Eat Drink Man Woman (1994), where she played the second of three sisters. She started her acting career when Johnnie To cast her opposite Andy Lau in A Moment of Romance (1990). Her most acclaimed role to date is in Ann Hui's Eighteen Springs (1997), for which she received a Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress nomination and won the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Best Actress Award. Wu has also acted in TV serials in Taiwan, China and Singapore. Since the turn of the millennium her output has dwindled. Her last film appearance was in 2004's Hong Kong movie Jiang Hu.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 3, 1968 (58)
From
Taipei, Taiwan
Works as
Actor
Titles
13 on MovieCove · 60 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 20% in 30 days

What are Chien-Lien Wu's films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
38%
Bonds
31%
Power
13%
Self
9%
Survival
4%
Society
3%
Ideas
3%
Romantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 4 · Dark 4

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 3 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 5 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 2

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 7 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 6 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 6
Threshold guardian
1 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Melancholic
7
Romantic
5
Warm
3
Absurd
2
Other
7

How their films linger

Bittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Chien-Lien Wu's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 5 of their 13 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (4).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Chien-Lien Wu's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

60 credits, 13 with a MovieCove page.

  • Romantic Heroes of the Tang Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 38 episodes · as Ye Tianlian/Shu Qing

  • 缘海情天 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 20 episodes · as 洪威

  • 大汉风4：英雄美人 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • 大汉风18：霸王别姬 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Empress Feng of the Northern Wei Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 42 episodes · as Empress Dowager Feng

  • Center Stage: Ruan Ling Yu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 30 episodes · as 阮玲玉

  • 大汉风9：谋士范增 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • 大汉风19：四面楚歌 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • 大汉风1：群雄并起 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • 大汉风5：破釜沉舟 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • 大汉风16：荥阳对峙 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • No Retreat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • The Story of Han Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 50 episodes · as Lü Zhi

  • Banquet at Hongmen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • 大汉风20：大风起兮 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • 大汉风14：楚营为虏 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as 吕雉

  • 大汉风15：韩信点兵 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • 大汉风11：运筹帷幄 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Triad Underworld(2004)

    as Mrs. Hung

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Game of Killing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Jingwen

  • Autumn Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • The Stories of Han Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Zen Master (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 42 episodes · Actor

  • 情牵日月星 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 20 episodes · as 桑若岚

  • Four Chefs and a Feast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Sorry Baby(1999)

    as Liu Xiao Yun

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Return of the Condor Heroes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 47 episodes · as Hsiao Lung Nu

  • Ninth Happiness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Chi Wan

  • Intruder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Yieh Siu-Yan

  • Dragon Town Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Eighteen Springs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Gu Manjing

  • Walk In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Li Yee Wah

  • All's Well, Ends Well 1997(1997)

    as Shenny

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Beijing Hong Kong Love Connection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 20 episodes · as Fang Ming

  • Beyond Hypothermia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Shu Li Han

  • A Moment of Romance III(1996)

    as Ting Siu Wo

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Only Fools Fall in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Dee

  • The Adventurers(1995)

    as Crystal Lui

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Phantom Lover(1995)

    as Du Yunyan

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Dream Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Kitty

  • Mean Street Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Sue/Elaine/Siu Suen

  • Peace Hotel(1995)

    as Ping's Wife

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Return of the God of Gamblers(1994)

    as Little Guitar

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Oh! My Three Guys.... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Foh Mei / Fok May

  • How Deep Is Your Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Beginner's Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as May

  • To Live and Die in Tsimshatsui (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Bo

  • Eat Drink Man Woman(1994)

    as Jia-Chien

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Returning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Elaine / Siu Lau

  • Love and the City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as JoJo

  • Treasure Hunt(1994)

    as Mei Xiao Qing

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • In Between (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Icy

  • A Moment of Romance II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Celia

  • The Bare-Footed Kid(1993)

    as Hua Huang Lien

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Top Cool (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Three Summers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • The Modern Love Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Casino Raiders II(1991)

    as Lin

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Royal Scoundrel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Yuk

  • A Moment of Romance(1990)

    as Jo Jo

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 60 titles from 1990 to 2013; peak year 1995.

Biggest box office

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)

$7.3M worldwide

Highest rated

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

The Phantom Lover (1995)

Film career

19902013

Peak 1995 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1990Screen debut· A Moment of Romance
  • 1996First top-billed film· Beyond Hypothermia

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting60 of 60: 60 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score55th

By decade

1990s37 · acting2000s20 · acting2010s3 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 10% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Chien-Lien Wu's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 13; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 59th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 13 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th4

Shape of the crowd

5 of their 13 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

The Phantom Lover (1995)

65th percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)

Midcredits 98th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 83, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Chien-Lien Wu work with?

People who share at least 2 of Chien-Lien Wu's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Andy Lau shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles