I wanted to escape so badly. But of course I knew I couldn't just give up and leave school. It was only when I heard my mom's voice that I came out of my hiding place.

There's nothing in Chinese culture that is an equivalent of the geisha. It's so different, so special to Japan.

I always think it's really hard if you are Asian or Chinese to be really in Hollywood. There are not so many really great characters for you.

Whatever you see - any good results - are all from the pressure.

When two people first meet, they can only have a very ordinary kind of friendship. But when you begin to understand each other, when you get close to them, you discover that you're suddenly eager to know him or her even better.

I really want to do something in Europe. With a small movie, it can be an interesting challenge. But I have to get the right project. I don't think it's so important to go to Hollywood. All that trash that comes out of there! I don't want to do that.

I was really interested in geishas' work, and wanted to meet real geishas.