Stephen Chow’s ‘Kung Fu Women’s Soccer’ Called “Awful” — Jay Chou & Stefanie Sun Stand by Him Against the Odds

Hong Kong’s king of comedy Stephen Chow (Sing Yeh) returns to directing after many years with the movie ‘Kung Fu Women’s Soccer’. Its release has sparked highly polarized reviews, but superstar Jay Chou (Jay) and diva Stefanie Sun both took to social media to show their support and cheer for Sing Yeh’s new work.

Jay shared the movie poster for ‘Kung Fu Women’s Soccer’ in his IG story, tagging Stephen Chow’s account, and wrote: “Sing Yeh’s film will be a hit — everyone, remember to go watch!” showing his support for the new movie in just one line. After Jay’s ‘Carnival’ tour ended its Hong Kong stop in July last year, he shared photos on social media of playing football and drinking together with Chow, writing: “His feet stamp on Shaolin soccer, his hands hold a jug of dreams. The two Saus, together we wash away the bitterness of reality and brew the sweetness of life!”

Stefanie Sun posted a photo with Stephen Chow, where Chow is holding a banana and Sun is hugging a football, cleverly echoing the movie’s elements. She joked: “Who else wants to join the ‘Supreme Invincibility Cup’?” and sent her wishes: “Wishing Sing Yeh and the strongest female soccer players of ‘Kung Fu Women’s Soccer’ to kick the ball beyond the sky, sell out every show, and make tickets hard to get!”

Since its release on the 11th, ‘Kung Fu Women’s Soccer’ has raked in a cumulative box office of over 500 million RMB (about RM 300 million), showcasing Chow’s box-office appeal over the years. However, reviews of the film are extremely polarized. Some fans say the movie brings fresh elements while retaining Chow’s signature nonsensical style, is packed with laughs, and is thoroughly entertaining; others find the special effects rough, complain of a heavy AI feel, obvious green screen marks, and even question whether the story’s core is too similar to previous works and lacks innovation.

Suspected Tribute to Ng Man Tat by Leaving an Empty Seat

Additionally, in a post-credits scene, Chow specifically leaves an empty seat, which many interpret as a tribute to his longtime partner Ng Man Tat. In the scene, ‘Shaolin Soccer’s Fourth Brother’ Chen Guokun and ‘Sixth Junior’ Lam Tsz Chung appear in the audience as a surprise. In a touching moment, when Lam Tsz Chung walks over to Chow, a deliberately empty seat has been left beside him, which many viewers interpret as a gesture honoring Ng Man Tat, the golden partner who passed away in 2021.

Liu Jialing, who plays “Shitai,” the coach of the Emei team in the film, has known Chow for 38 years and shares a deep bond with him. Recently, the ‘Kung Fu Women’s Soccer’ team released footage from a year ago, after Liu Jialing finished shooting her scenes. The clip shows the two sharing a lingering, emotional hug, showcasing their deep friendship.

In the video, the usually introverted Chow is completely relaxed in front of his old friend Liu Jialing, returning to his lively, energetic younger self. The two chat happily, and when the mood is high, Chow even dances in front of Liu, making her burst out laughing and infecting the whole set with joy.