‘Unexpected challenge’: Actor Jet Li in hospital for operation

Action movie star Jet Li has reassured his fans that he is doing fine after an operation in hospital.

There were concerns over the 62-year-old’s health when he shared on Douyin – the Chinese version of TikTok – on Aug 17 morning a video of himself lying in bed in hospital with his eyes closed.

“I’ve recently faced another unexpected challenge,” he wrote in English.

The China-born Singapore actor then posted that night another video of himself being wheeled into the operating theatre.

“A few days ago, my hardware broke down, so I sent it back to the manufacturer for repair,” he wrote, without mentioning what his condition was.

The following morning, he posted a video of himself completing the surgery, with a wound seen on his right neck.

“My team called me to a meeting while I was still in bed,” he said in the video, where he was seen sitting up in bed while using a tablet.

He was seen later in the clip standing up and using a mobile phone, as he said: “I feel much better now. Let’s tell the others that I’m fine.”

The actor also posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Aug 18 a photo of himself eating a bowl of knife-cut noodles.

“I have left the ‘factory’ and am eating something delicious,” he wrote in Chinese, thanking fans for their concern and blessings. “Wishing everyone good health and happiness.”

Hong Kong film producer Tiffany Chen, who is a close friend of Li’s, told Taiwanese newspaper China Times that the surgery was to remove a small benign tumour.

Li had previously disclosed that he was diagnosed in 2010 with hyperthyroidism, a condition that can cause fatigue and weight loss. He keeps it under control with medication.

Separately, the actor revealed on Weibo on Aug 8 that he had ordered a Luxeed R7 sport utility vehicle for his eldest daughter Li Si as her wedding gift.

Li Si, 37, is his daughter from his first marriage to former actress Huang Qiuyan, 64. Jet Li and Huang have another daughter, Li Taimi, 36.

Jet Li has been married to former actress Nina Li Chi, 63, since 1999. They have two daughters – Jane, 25, and Jada, 22. 

CelebritiesHealth and well-beingSurgeryHospitalsSocial media