Breaking the News:
90’s mainland Chinese actress Yang Zi, who recently won the “Magnolia Award,” announced in a recent interview that after wrapping up filming and promotion for her current drama project, she plans to take a short break to recharge. She shared that whenever she faces obstacles or feels low, her father always quietly tells her, “If you’re tired, just come home.” Netizens were touched by Yang’s father’s words, calling them “heartfelt” and “warm.”
Born in 1992, Yang Zi gained fame for her role as “Xia Xue” in the sitcom “Ode to Joy.” After studying at the Beijing Film Academy, she rose to stardom with idol dramas like “Go Go Squid!” and “My Mowgli Boy.” Known as the “guarantee of mainland dramas,” her recent works like “Eternal Love of Dream” and “Love and Destiny” have been praised. Her latest acclaimed work, “The Tree of Life,” marks her first foray into serious drama and has garnered attention.
Following the entertainment industry’s upheaval after Fan Bingbing’s tax evasion scandal in 2018, a survey by Tencent in the same year crowned Yang Zi as the most popular actress of 2019. Since then, she seems to have the Midas touch, as whatever project she takes on turns to gold. With dramas like “Eternal Love of Dream,” she quickly ascended from a leading actress to a top-tier star, distancing herself from fellow ’90s actress Dilraba Dilmurat, earning her the title of “Queen of Dramas.”
As a former child star, Yang Zi shares a close bond with her father. She described her dad as seamlessly switching between being a “friend” and a “stern father.” They enjoy watching dramas together and sharing funny moments. Whenever she feels stuck or down, her father, like a rock behind her, always comforts her with the words, “If you’re tired, just come home,” providing her with stability and warmth.
Yang Zi’s latest historical drama “Family Business,” in which she stars alongside Han Dongjun, is currently airing. Set in mid-Ming Dynasty Huizhou, the series revolves around the making of Huizhou ink, showcasing the rise and fall of the Li and Luo families amidst power struggles and financial intrigues, along with a love story breaking free of family constraints.
To portray the ink-making heiress Li Zhen authentically, Yang Zi learned traditional intangible cultural heritage ink-making techniques. She added realistic touches to her character, such as habitually wiping her nose with the back of her hand while making ink, accidentally staining her nose. These subtle details brought out the essence of a young Huizhou girl in her portrayal.
Fans praise Yang Zi for her precise delivery of lines and emotional depth in her performance. Whether shedding tears upon learning of her grandfather’s misfortune or exuding vivacity while selling ink, she displays unwavering conviction. In a key scene of the drama’s climax, the “Ink Contest,” Yang Zi flawlessly recites several passages of classical text, incorporating the Huizhou accent, showcasing her exceptional acting skills.
Yang Zi has been dubbed the “iron lady” of Chinese entertainment. Over the past two years, she has maintained a grueling work schedule almost non-stop, seamlessly transitioning between projects and international commitments. Her packed schedule not only includes intense filming but also numerous promotional activities, endorsements, and international fashion engagements.
In 2023, following the completion of “Eternal Love of Dream,” Yang Zi immediately joined the cast of “The Willow,” filming back-to-back for six months. In 2024, she filmed both seasons of “Love and Destiny” consecutively for 180 days, moving between three different filming locations and even working through the Chinese New Year. At the beginning of 2025, she endured freezing conditions while shooting “Family Business,” enduring a record-breaking 6-hour rain scene on a chilly night.
Within less than 10 days of wrapping “Family Business,” Yang Zi embarked on the set of “The Tree of Life.” The drama was shot on location in the remote Three Rivers Source Nature Reserve in Qinghai, reaching altitudes of up to 4800 meters. Despite suffering from severe altitude sickness, she persisted through the shoot without makeup daily, resulting in a dramatic weight loss of 15 kilograms, pushing her body to its limits.
In between filming or after completing projects, Yang Zi fulfills numerous commercial commitments. In June 2026, after a busy round of drama promotions and charity events, she immediately flew to Milan and Paris for a luxury jewelry event as the global ambassador for Pomellato, then swiftly returned to attend the Magnolia Awards in China without any time for rest, earning her the nickname of “flying without touching the ground.” To ensure her parents’ peace of mind, she set up a real-time “itinerary notification group” for them to track her movements.
Recently honored with the “Best Actress” award at the 31st Magnolia Awards, Yang Zi became the first post-90s actress to win the “Magnolia Award.” Due to her prolonged periods of high-intensity work requiring meticulous scheduling, Yang Zi has decided to take a temporary break after completing all her commitments by October 2026 to recharge.
While fans shower Yang Zi with support, urging her to heed her father’s advice and take a well-deserved break, some express concern about not seeing her for a while. To reassure her fans, Yang Zi promises to periodically share glimpses of her daily life on social media platforms like Weibo, encouraging them to stay updated with her latest endeavors.
Yang Zi’s skyrocketing success is often attributed to her personality shaping her destiny. Renowned for her stellar acting skills, Yang Zi exudes optimism and a cheerful demeanor, always appearing lively and carefree. She once appeared on a show without high heels, and on another occasion, she wore heels and playfully performed a floor dance after tripping. Actress Liu Tao once praised her, saying, “Where there’s Yang Zi, there’s always joy.”