In recent news, mainland Chinese actress Yang Mi has been enjoying a string of good fortune. Her starring role in the film “Litchi in the Tang Dynasty” has received both critical acclaim and box office success, and her acting in the new drama “Life of All Things” has won numerous fans. Known for her good relationships with others, she recently showed her support for veteran actress Hui Yinghong by sending coffee to the set of Hui Yinghong’s new drama “Irrelevant to the Moon and Beauty,” referring to herself as Hui Yinghong’s “treasure,” demonstrating the deep friendship between the two.
Despite never formally collaborating on a project, reports from Chinese media indicate that Yang Mi and Hui Yinghong share a close personal bond despite their age difference. Whenever they attend events together, they display a warm and familiar closeness, appearing like old friends. During the premiere of Yang Mi’s film “Litchi in the Tang Dynasty,” Hui Yinghong presented her with a flower basket and sweetly exclaimed, “Wishing my dearest little Mi Mi great success at the box office! The litchis have arrived, may everyone enjoy them sweetly!”
Last year, Yang Mi starred in “Harbin 1944” and “The Enchanting Phantom,” both of which received disappointing reviews and ratings. Eager to transition her career, she appeared without makeup in the role of a farmer named Ning Xiuxiu in “Life of All Things.” To better portray her character, she spent four months in a rural village in Shandong, gaining 5 kilograms to perform intense farm work scenes, and diligently practiced the local dialect, achieving a significant breakthrough in her performing image.
Entertainment blogger “Detao Entertainment Observation” praised Yang Mi’s acting prowess on Weibo, stating, “Through her role as ‘Ning Xiuxiu,’ Yang Mi once again proves her ability as a top-tier actress with significant performance and market influence.”
Of interest to the industry is the parallel paths of Yang Mi and Zhao Liying, both born in ’85. Although both rose to fame with hits like “Eternal Love” and “The Journey of Flower,” they also made headlines by getting married and having children during their peak popularity, followed by divorces. However, their post-pregnancy career paths have diverged significantly, with Zhao Liying successfully transitioning into the drama “The Story of Ming Lan,” while Yang Mi, constrained by her former management company “Jaywalk Studio,” could only star in idol dramas like “Love Equation,” facing setbacks in her comeback. After leaving her previous agency, she finally landed the lead role in “Life of All Things,” receiving critical acclaim for her performance.
Recently, “Life of All Things” has received praise and topped the ratings charts. Many netizens believe that Yang Mi’s breakthrough in acting is commendable.
On August 15th, renowned mainland producer Yu Zheng passionately commented on Yang Mi’s new drama “Life of All Things” on Weibo, highlighting a scene where Ning Xiuxiu (played by Yang Mi) is kidnapped and unjustly criticized by public opinion for her innocence without the ability to defend herself, calling out the chaotic state of the Chinese internet: “Without seeing the full picture, I won’t comment (except for the water army), the rest are all a mob.”
Yu Zheng also endorsed “Life of All Things,” saying, “The drama is great! I love it!” and directly tagged Yang Mi. Yang Mi replied in the Shandong dialect of her character, “Thank you, Teacher Yu, let’s chat sometime when there’s free time.” This response not only aligns with her character but also skillfully redirected the conversation back to the work itself. Netizens praised her for her “immersive business” and “genius promotion,” with the keyword “Yang Mi replied to Yu Zheng” trending on Weibo.
Yu Zheng’s praise of Yang Mi received positive reactions from netizens, with many acknowledging her strong performance this time not relying on her popularity but on her talent. While some felt Yu Zheng was trying to capitalize on the buzz, more viewers appreciated Yang Mi’s humorous and tactful response for shifting the focus back to the drama.