Yang Mi (, born 12 September 1986) is a Chinese actress and singer. She made her acting debut in historical television series '' Tang Ming Huang'', and later received recognition for her leading roles in various television series such as ''Wang Zhaojun'' (2007), ''
Chinese Paladin 3
''The Legend of Sword and Fairy 3'' ( zh, t=仙劍奇俠傳三, s=仙剑奇侠传三, p=Xiānjiàn Qíxiá Zhuàn Sān), also known as ''Sword and Fairy 3'' () or ''Chinese Paladin 3'',Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...
The Interpreter
''The Interpreter'' is a 2005 political thriller film directed by Sydney Pollack, starring Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, and Jesper Christensen. It was the first film shot inside the United Nations Headquarters, as well as the fin ...
Legend of Fuyao
''Legend of Fuyao'' () is a 2018 Chinese television series based on the novel ''Empress Fuyao'' () by Tianxia Guiyuan. It stars Yang Mi and Ethan Juan
Ethan Juan (, born 8 November 1982) is a Taiwanese actor and model. He rose to prominence wi ...
'' (2018); as well as films ''
Mysterious Island
''The Mysterious Island'' (french: L'Île mystérieuse) is a novel by Jules Verne, published in 1875. The original edition, published by Hetzel, contains a number of illustrations by Jules Férat. The novel is a crossover sequel to Verne's fam ...
'' (2011), ''
Tiny Times
''Tiny Times'' (), also known as ''Tiny Times 1.0'' is the first installment of the film series written and directed by Guo Jingming and based on the best-selling novel of the same name also by Guo.
Plot
The four young women are classmates in hig ...
Southern Metropolis Daily
Southern Metropolis Daily (SMD) is a for-profit tabloid newspaper located in Guangzhou city, China,Wang, Xiaotong. 2012. "The Comparison Between Newspapers In Hong Kong And Mainland And Its Enlightenment – A Case Study On Apple Daily And Sout ...
Xuanwu District, Beijing
Xuanwu District () was a district of the Municipality of Beijing, China. It was located southwest to the city center, outside of Xuanwu Gate. The district was merged into Xicheng District in July 2010.
Located outside the Imperial Inner City an ...
to a police officer and a housewife. She was given the name "" (exponentiation) because her parents both have the same surname Yang. She graduated from the now-defunct Beijing Xuanwu Experimental Primary School. Yang is also a graduate of
Beijing Film Academy
Beijing Film Academy (BFA; ) is a coeducational state-run higher education institution in Beijing, China. The film school is the largest institution specializing in the tertiary education for film and television production in Asia. The academy ...
's Performance Institute.
Career
Beginnings
In 1990, at the age of four, Yang made her acting debut in the historical television series '' Tang Ming Huang'' directed by Chen Jialin, playing the role of young Princess Xianning. She also had a minor role as Beggar So's daughter in ''
King of Beggars
''King of Beggars'' is a 1992 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Gordon Chan, starring Stephen Chow, Sharla Cheung, Ng Man-tat and Norman Chui. The story is loosely based on legends about the martial artist So Chan (better known as ...
'' (1992), which starred Stephen Chow as the titular character. Two years later, she starred in the television series ''Hou Wa'', where her acting left a deep impression on the producer.
In 2001, Yang resumed her career in entertainment business by working as an advertisement model. In 2002, Yang signed a contract with
Li Shaohong
Li Shaohong (born 7 July 1955) is a Chinese film and television director and producer. She is considered a member of the Fifth Generation movement, and China's top woman director. Her films have won multiple awards in China and abroad, includin ...
's agency, Rosat Entertainment.
In 2003, Yang received her first script and made her official acting debut in ''The Story of a Noble Family''.
2006–2010: Rising popularity
In the late 2000s, Yang started to gain increased attention and popularity with her roles as
Nie Xiaoqian
Nie Xiaoqian or Nieh Hsiao-chien is the lead female character in "The Magic Sword", a fantasy story in Pu Songling's short story collection ''Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio''. Pu describes her appearance as "gorgeous; girl in paintings" ...
in legendary drama ''Strange Tales of Liaozhai'' (2005), and
Guo Xiang
Guo Xiang (; born 252 AD – died 312 AD) is credited with the first and most important revision of the text known as the ''Zhuangzi'' which, along with the ''Tao Te Ching'', forms the textual and philosophical basis of the Taoist school of ...
in wuxia drama ''
The Return of the Condor Heroes
''The Return of the Condor Heroes'', also called ''The Giant Eagle and Its Companion'', is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It is the second part of the '' Condor Trilogy'' and was preceded by '' The Legend of the Condor Heroes'' and foll ...
'' (2006), In 2007, Yang played the titular role of
Wang Zhaojun
Wang Qiang (Wang Ch'iang; 王牆, also 王檣 and 王嬙), commonly known by her courtesy name Wang Zhaojun () was known as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Born in Baoping Village, Zigui County (in current Hubei Province) in the Western ...
in the eypnomous television series, which was broadcast on CCTV. She received positive reviews for her performance, and was nominated for the Best Actress award at the China TV Golden Eagle Award.
In 2009, Yang starred in the fantasy action drama ''
Chinese Paladin 3
''The Legend of Sword and Fairy 3'' ( zh, t=仙劍奇俠傳三, s=仙剑奇侠传三, p=Xiānjiàn Qíxiá Zhuàn Sān), also known as ''Sword and Fairy 3'' () or ''Chinese Paladin 3'',Tang Xuejian and Xiyao. The series was a major hit in China and Yang experienced a rise in popularity.
In 2010, Yang starred in
Li Shaohong
Li Shaohong (born 7 July 1955) is a Chinese film and television director and producer. She is considered a member of the Fifth Generation movement, and China's top woman director. Her films have won multiple awards in China and abroad, includin ...
's ''
adaptation
In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness. Secondly, it is a state reached by the po ...
'' of the classic novel '' The Dream of Red Mansions'', and received positive reviews for her portrayal of Qingwen. The same year, she starred in big-budget historical series ''
Beauty's Rival in Palace
''Beauty's Rival in Palace'' ( Chinese: 美人心計, pinyin: Měirén Xīnjì, lit. ''Schemes of a Beauty'') is a 2010 Chinese television series adapted from Xiao Qiying's short story ''Turbulence in the Empress' Chamber'' (). It was first broadc ...
'', winning acclaim for her role as a cold assassin.
2011–2016: Breakthrough and Mainstream success
In 2011, Yang achieved widespread fame with her role as the time-traveling protagonist in the hit historical romance drama, ''
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...
'' (2011). She was voted the Most Popular Actress at the 17th Shanghai Television Festival. The theme song of the drama sung by Yang, titled "In Support of the Love", was also a hit and won Best Theme Song (OST) at the 6th
Huading Awards
The Huading Awards are a set of entertainment awards in China. The awards were set up by Tianxia Yingcai Cultural Media Co., LTD () in 2007 in Beijing and are held more than once each year across multiple entertainment media from Chinese televis ...
. The same year, she starred in horror film ''
Mysterious Island
''The Mysterious Island'' (french: L'Île mystérieuse) is a novel by Jules Verne, published in 1875. The original edition, published by Hetzel, contains a number of illustrations by Jules Férat. The novel is a crossover sequel to Verne's fam ...
'', which raked in more than 70 million yuan at the box office and became the most successful horror film in China.
Mei Ah Entertainment
Mei Ah Entertainment Group Co., Ltd. () () is a major media distribution company in Hong Kong.
History
The company was established in 1984 in Kowloon Bay by Mr. Li Kuo Hsing, Hong Kong. During the 1980s, the Group's principal activities were t ...
announced that it will be producing four tailored-made films ('' Wu Dang'', ''Chinese Princess Turandot'', ''Windseeker'', and ''Butterfly Cemetery'') for Yang with a total investment of 300 million yuan for the four films due to the box office success of ''Mysterious Island''. However, the films failed to live up to the success of ''Mysterious Island'', and Yang was named Most Disappointing Actress at the Golden Broom Awards for her performance in ''Wu Dang''.
In 2012, Yang starred in '' Beijing Love Story'', a modern romance drama directed by
Chen Sicheng
Chen Sicheng (born February 22, 1978 in Shenyang) is a Chinese actor, director and screenwriter. He graduated from the Central Academy of Drama, and is known for his leading roles in the films ''A Young Prisoner's Revenge'' and ''Spring Fever''; ...
Gordon Chan
Gordon Chan Kar-Seung (), born in 1960, is a Hong Kong film director, writer and producer. His most notable works include ''Beast Cops'', ''Fist of Legend'', ''Painted Skin'', '' 2000 AD'' and '' Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen''. I ...
's 2008 hit fantasy film ''
Painted Skin Painted Skin may refer to:
* "Painted Skin" (short story), short story from Pu Songling's ''Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio''
* ''Painted Skin'' (1992 film), Hong Kong film directed by King Hu
* ''Painted Skin'' (2008 film), Chinese film dir ...
''.
Yang was then announced to play the leading protagonist Lin Xiao in the ''Tiny Times'' film series, based on
Guo Jingming
Guo Jingming (; born June 6, 1983), also known as Edward Guo, is a Chinese young adult writer. In addition to being an author and businessperson, Guo is also a teen pop idol and popular celebrity figure. On the other hand, Guo is a polarizing ...
's best-selling novel of the same name. The first two installments of the film were released in 2013, with the subsequent installments released in 2014 and 2015. Despite receiving negative reviews, ''Tiny Times'' was an overwhelming success at the box office. Also in 2013, Yang took on the role of a television producer for the first time with web series ''V Love''.
In 2014, Yang starred in the comedy film '' The Breakup Guru'' directed by
Deng Chao
Deng Chao (, born 8 February 1979) is a Chinese actor, comedian, director and singer. His recent films, '' The Breakup Guru'' (2014), '' The Mermaid'' (2016) and ''Duckweed'' (2017) are among the highest-grossing Chinese films of all time in ...
. The film grossed 180 million yuan in its opening week and ended up as one of the highest-grossing films in China that year. She then starred in fantasy action drama '' Swords of Legends'' as the female lead Feng Qingxue.
The drama was a commercial success, topping television ratings and becoming the most watched Chinese drama online at that time.
In 2015, Yang starred in romance films ''
You Are My Sunshine
"You Are My Sunshine" is a song published by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell on January 30, 1940. According to Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the song has been recorded by over 350 artists and translated into 30 languages.
In 1977, the Louisi ...
'' with
Huang Xiaoming
Huang Xiaoming or Mark Huang (, born 13 November 1977) is a Chinese actor, singer, and model. He graduated from the Performance Institute of the Beijing Film Academy in 2000. Huang first rose to prominence in 2001 for playing Emperor Wu of Han i ...
Li Yifeng
Li Yifeng (born Li He, 4 May 1987) also known as Evan Li, is a Chinese actor and singer, who rose to fame after participating in the 2007 ''My Hero'' contest. He debuted as a singer in the same year, with the album ''Four Leaf Clover''. Since 20 ...
. She also challenged the role of a blind girl in '' The Witness'', adapted from the South Korean thriller '' Blind''.
In 2016, Yang starred in the modern drama ''
The Interpreter
''The Interpreter'' is a 2005 political thriller film directed by Sydney Pollack, starring Nicole Kidman, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, and Jesper Christensen. It was the first film shot inside the United Nations Headquarters, as well as the fin ...
'', which premiered on
Hunan TV
Hunan Television or Hunan TV () is a provincial satellite TV station officially launched on 29 September 1970 and is currently China's second-most-watched channel, second only to CCTV-1, owned by China Central Television, although Hunan STV occasi ...
. The series was a huge success, and became the highest-rated drama of 2016. She also featured in fantasy animated film '' L.O.R.D: Legend of Ravaging Dynasties'', directed by ''Tiny Times'' director
Guo Jingming
Guo Jingming (; born June 6, 1983), also known as Edward Guo, is a Chinese young adult writer. In addition to being an author and businessperson, Guo is also a teen pop idol and popular celebrity figure. On the other hand, Guo is a polarizing ...
.
2017–present: Critical acclaim
In 2017, Yang starred in '' Eternal Love'', adapted from the
xianxia novel
''Xianxia'' ( zh, s=, t=仙俠), directly translated to 'immortal heroes', is a genre of Chinese fantasy heavily inspired by Taoism and influenced by Chinese mythology, Chan Buddhism, Chinese martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine, Chines ...
''Three Lives Three Worlds, Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms'' by TangQi GongZi. The fantasy-romance drama was a massive hit both locally and internationally and Yang received acclaim for her acting performance in the drama. She then starred in science fiction thriller '' Reset'' produced by
Jackie Chan
Fang Shilong (born 7 April 1954), known professionally in English as Jackie Chan and in Chinese as Cheng Long ( zh, c=成龍, j=Sing4 Lung4; "becoming the dragon"), is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and stuntman known for ...
Chang Chen
Chang Chen (born 14 October 1976) is a Taiwanese actor. He was born in Taipei, Taiwan. His father Chang Kuo-chu and his brother Hans Chang are also actors.
Career
Chang started his film career at a very young age. He was then selected by a ...
as a painter. She ranked third on ''
Forbes
''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family. Published eight times a year, it features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. ''Forbes'' also re ...
''
China Celebrity 100
The ''Forbes'' China Celebrity 100 is a list published annually by ''Forbes'' that ranks the influence of Chinese celebrities. First published in 2004, it is similar to Celebrity 100 also published by ''Forbes''. Factors that are taken into acco ...
list for the year, her highest ranking yet.
In 2018, Yang starred in '' Negotiator'', a modern workplace drama which deals with the profession of negotiators. Yang then headlined the fantasy adventure drama ''
Legend of Fuyao
''Legend of Fuyao'' () is a 2018 Chinese television series based on the novel ''Empress Fuyao'' () by Tianxia Guiyuan. It stars Yang Mi and Ethan Juan
Ethan Juan (, born 8 November 1982) is a Taiwanese actor and model. He rose to prominence wi ...
''. Yang returned to the big screen with ''Baby'' directed by Liu Jie, a film which tells the story of a woman who was abandoned by her parents due to severe birth defects, and her battle as an adult to try and save a baby in the same situation. She received positive reviews for her portrayal of a brittle, harried working-class woman prematurely aged by ill health and poverty. The same year, she was cast in the fantasy suspense film Assassin in Red directed by
Lu Yang
Lu Yang (; born 1979) is a Chinese film director and screenwriter best known for his works '' My Spectacular Theatre'', ''Brotherhood of Blades'' and '' Brotherhood of Blades II: The Infernal Battlefield''.
Early life and education
A native ...
; where she would play the role of an antagonist.
In 2019, Yang starred in the period drama ''The Great Craftsman''.
Yang was cast in the cyber-security drama ''Storm Eye'' as a police officer; and medical drama ''Thank You Doctor'' as a surgeon.
In 2020, Yang was cast in the historical fantasy drama '' Novoland: Pearl Eclipse''.
Other activities
Since 2014, Yang Mi has established her own agency, Jay Walk Studio in collaboration with H&R Century Pictures.
Personal life
In early 2012, Yang Mi revealed her relationship with an Hong Kong actor-singer
Hawick Lau
Hawick Lau Hoi-wai (; born 13 October 1974) is a Chinese actor and singer from Hong Kong. He was named as one of the "Five Fresh Tigers of TVB" and is best known for his performances in the series ''A Kindred Spirit'' (1995), ''Virtues of Harmony' ...
through her Weibo. In November 2013, she announced their engagement. Yang Mi and Hawick Lau were married in
Bali
Bali () is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nu ...
,
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
on 8 January 2014.
On 1 June 2014, she gave birth to their daughter Noemie Lau at the Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, Hong Kong.
On 22 December 2018, Yang Mi and Hawick Lau announced their divorce in a joint-statement released by Chinese entertainment and media company Jiaxing Media.
Politics
On 25 March 2021, Yang Mi cut ties with Adidas, after several companies including the brand announced its decision to not use cotton sourced from the Xinjiang region due to concerns of Uyghur forced labour. This action was echoed by most other Chinese celebrities.
Social media
As of June 2021, Yang Mi has more than 110 million followers on Weibo, making her one of the most widely followed celebrities on the Chinese microblogging platform.
Internet Movie Database
IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...