7 Things About Chinese Actress And C-Drama Superstar Yang Zi
Here's why this child star turned C-drama superstar should be on your radar
So you're exploring the world of Chinese dramas, a.k.a. C-dramas, as your new thing for 2021.
Well, you've come to the right place for your crash course on the pop culture phenomenon that's gaining traction among Filipino audiences, and what better way to get your first taste of it than with Chinese actress Yang Zi, a massively popular actress and one of China's most bankable stars!
The luxury label ambassador, child star-turned-onscreen icon, and C-drama staple is a fan favorite of those well-acquainted with Chinese films and series, and for good reason; she's talented and a dedicated philanthropist and boy oh boy does she have a face that only gets prettier with time.
Get to know Yang Zi in the gallery below:
About Chinese Star Yang Zi
About Chinese Star Yang Zi
She's been acting for more than two decades.
Yang Zi has been in the business of acting for years. She was a child star that started her acting career when she was just seven years old in 1999, and this year, she celebrates her 22nd year in the business! She started out with bit roles and small parts, but just four years after her acting debut, she began landing leading roles in films and TV. Many consider her youth-focused film "Girl's Diary" from 2003 her breakout role, so if you'd like to see Yang Zi's beginnings as a sought-after actress, that's the title for you.
She's had projects every year since debuting as a child actress.
In 2005, Yang Zi starred in her first ever C-drama. She was a main character in the first two seasons of the hit series "Home With Kids," the show that made her a household name and a mainstream star. The rest of the 00s had Yang Zi grow up in front of an audience of millions; she successfully transitioned to projects targeted towards teens, and proved her versatility while she was at it. By 2009, when she turned 17, she was booked for yearly projects both on TV and in films and nominations for her acting were pouring in left and right. As a teenager, she starred in anything and everything from romantic comedies to medical dramas, period series and war epics, making her a highly popular actress who easily adapted to roles and was capable of bringing a myriad of stories to life, be they light and heartwarming or soul-wrenching and deeply moving. Some of her critically acclaimed work from this time include "Battle of Changsha," "Yangko Dance" and "Angel Heart."
She's a C-drama star with almost 40 titles in her filmography.
By the time Yang Zi was in her 20s, she was breaking records and gaining international attention. Once just a locally loved star, Yang Zi successfully crossed international borders, so much so that she was recognized by Forbes Asia and included in its 30 Under 30 Asia 2017 list. Her 2016 series, "Ode to Joy," has been viewed at least 23 billion times since being made available to online audiences, earning it the tile of most viewed Chinese drama. She eventually focused her career on C-Dramas over films, and to date, she's starred in almost 50 series since beginning her acting career.
She's gearing up for a big small screen comeback this 2021.
Yang Zi's current work and most awarded series include titles "Ashes of Love" (a TV adaptation of romance novel "Heavy Sweetness, Ash-Like Frost"), "Go Go Squid!" (an adaptation of novel "Honey Stewed Squid") and "My Mowgli Boy," a romantic comedy, as well as "Noble Aspirations," a period drama. She took a year-long break from C-Dramas in 2020 but is returning to the small screen in full force this year. She'll have three new projects: "The Oath of Love," "The Golden Hairpin," and "The Psychologist."
She's a favorite fashion muse.
It doesn't surprise us that Yang Zi's popularity has also translated to numerous endorsement deals with beauty brands and luxury labels. She's worked with Michael Kors, Valentino, Furla, Louis Vuitton, and cosmetics brand Benefit as well as casual apparel label Fossil. Outside of her work in fashion, she's a pretty lowkey gal! She's an outdoorsy person that values her privacy, which means her social media is sparsely populated and when she does update her fans, it's almost always just with shots from official work engagements or quiet times during her days off.
She's a philanthropist.
Yang Zi has a totally other side to her that makes her so loved by many, though. She's primarily actress, that's true, but she also spends an above average amount of her time doing charitable work. She began her ambassadorship in non-profits as a teenager and has grown to be a known philanthropist with varied advocacies. She's participated in initiatives that support environmentalism and wildlife protection, children and adolescents, women's development, education, arts and culture, and even raising awareness of medical conditions. Interestingly enough, Yang Zi was scrutinized last year when it was discovered that she donated almost $100,000 to COVID-19 relief efforts in China. The amount, which was more than double than what many other Chinese celebrities donated, was perceived as "too much money" and an attempt to upstage other stars. The issue died down eventually.
She sings and raps, too!
Yang Zi also sings from time to time, but usually saves the performances for her dramas' soundtracks. Singing, though not what she's known for, is just a hobby she's passionate about, and she even prefers rapping over it! All in all, she's a pretty down-to-earth person for someone so famous. She's a self-proclaimed home buddy who likes alone time when she's on a work break (you'll find her buried in a history book too, most likely). And, if and when she gets the chance to, her eyes on skydiving and deep sea diving as the next activities on her big adventures list.
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Photos from @yangzi_official
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