in 2008, tong appeared as a guest judge on the china beijing tv station reality television series "the disciple", which aired in mainland china and was produced by, and features, jackie chan. the purpose of the program was to find a new star, skilled in acting and martial arts, to become chan's "successor", the champion being awarded the lead role in a film. it concluded on june 7, 2008, with the series winner being announced in beijing.