Chinese Actor Zhang Yi, aged 47, recently won the prestigious “Huabiao Award” for Outstanding Male Actor for the second time for his performance in the film “The Third Squad,” a production recognized by the Chinese Communist Party. During an interview on April 27, he announced his temporary withdrawal from the entertainment industry. Having appeared in numerous patriotic works, Zhang Yi joked about feeling tired of his own performances, saying he had acted to the point of boredom. This news sparked wide discussions among fans and the public.
Zhang Yi, who has been in the film industry for 18 years, has achieved critical acclaim, having received accolades like the Golden Rooster Award, the Hundred Flowers Award, and now two Huabiao Awards for Best Actor, making him a highly sought-after star in the recent Chinese entertainment scene.
On April 27, Zhang Yi was honored with the Huabiao Award for Outstanding Male Actor for his role as Detective Cheng Bing in the movie “The Third Squad.” During a group interview, he confessed that the tight filming schedule, especially shooting almost 10 film and television projects consecutively from 2023 to 2024, had left him physically and mentally exhausted. He also expressed concerns about audience fatigue due to the saturation of his performances. Therefore, he has decided to take a break from the entertainment industry, focusing on recuperation and introspection until he feels ready to return to acting.
Zhang Yi shared that he now enjoys a quiet life, spending time with his cat at home, strolling through the streets, and even joking that his “skill of blending into the crowd is improving.”
According to reports from mainland Chinese media, rumors of a rift between Zhang Yi and a drama production team emerged after the broadcast of “Furious.” Speculations suggest that one reason for the discord was his uncredited role as the artistic director in “Furious.” Another reason was a disagreement over casting, as the team initially wanted Zhang Yi to play the antagonist alongside Yang Yang. However, Yang Yang declined the offer, leading the director to believe that Zhang Songwen was more suitable for the role, resulting in the final cast composition.
Zhang Yi’s decision to take a break from acting has stirred debates among fans and netizens. Some lamented, “We are losing another big name!” while others humorously speculated, “Is Zhang Yi going to ‘lying flat’ and ‘indulge’ now?”