Yang Yang (actor)

Yang Yang 杨洋
Yang Yang in Paris, June 2016
Background information
Chinese name	杨洋 (simplified)
Pinyin	Yáng Yáng (Mandarin)
Ethnicity	Han
Born	(1991-09-09) September 9, 1991 Shanghai, China
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2009–present
Ancestry	Hefei, Anhui, China
Alma mater	People's Liberation Army Academy of Art

Yang Yang (simplified Chinese: 杨洋; traditional Chinese: 楊洋; pinyin: Yáng Yáng), born on September 9, 1991 in Shanghai, China, is a Chinese actor.

Early life

Yang Yang graduated from the Department of Dance in People's Liberation Army Arts College in China.^[1]

Career

2007–2014: Beginning and Moderate fame

In December 2007, he was personally handpicked to play the lead role Jia Baoyu by the director Li Shaohong in The Dream of Red Mansions.^[2] One of the most expensive Chinese TV series ever made at RMB118 million (US$17.55 million), the 50 episode drama made its debut on July 6, 2010 on 9 terrestrial networks across China.^[3] Yang won Best New Actor at the BQ Celebrity Score Awards for his performance in the drama.^[4][5][6]

In February 2011, he starred in the youth inspirational idol drama Melody of Youth and participated in its soundtrack.^[7] In June, together with other artists in China, Yang participated in the film The Founding of a Party, a patriotic tribute detailing the process of establishing the Communist Party of China.^[8] This also marks his big screen debut. In August 2011, he participated in another youth drama The Angel of E-age.^[9]

In March 2012, Yang starred in the romance film Joyful Reunion. He then participated in the "water cube" version of The Dream of Red Mansions, performed at the Beijing National Aquatics Center. After a lapse of three years, he once again portrayed Jia Baoyu in the form of a dance interpretation.^[10][11] In September of the same year, he starred in the war drama The War Doesn't Believe in Tears, which was well received by the audience.^[12][13] In October, he starred in the nano-movie Refresh 3+7.^[14]

In July 2013, he starred in war melodrama Ultimate Conquest, in which he performed action scenes and difficult stunts without a double.^[15][16] The drama series was especially popular with the younger audiences due to its cast of popular idols, and thus was launched as a "youth war" title by many young audience.^[17] The same month, Legend of Goddess Luo starring Yang premiered on Jiangsu Television, and gained high viewership ratings. It was also re-telecasted on other television stations in mainland China and other countries.

In November 2013, he starred in the youth romance drama Flowers of Pinellia Ternata based on Jiu Yehui's novel of the same name, portrayed a genius pianist.^[18] The same month, he participated in China's first large scale military affairs reality show Star Soldier.^[19] In December 2013, he was cast in The Chronicles of Town Called Jian also known as Cocoon Town Romance, a drama based on the "Tarot Goddess Sleuths" series, alongside Victoria Song. It is his third collaboration with director Li Shaohong after The Dream of Red Mansions and Flowers of Pinellia Ternata.^[20][21]

In March 23, 2014, Yang for the first time challenged the role of villain, played a radical patriotic in the film noir The Unbearable Lightness of Inspector Fan and received acclaim for his performance.^[22]

On April 29, 2014, Yang ended his contract of 7 years with his company.^[23] In July, he starred in the drama adaption of the hugely successful film series Tiny Times. He plays Neil, the younger cousin of Gu Li.^[24][25] He then starred in the republic-era drama Lanterns, based on the novel Wives and Concubines, which has also been adapted into Raise the Red Lantern by acclaimed film director Zhang Yimou.^[26]

2015–present: Rise to fame and Mainstream Popularity

In 2015, Yang starred in a series of successful dramas and movies, launching him into one of the most popular young actors in mainland China.

First, he starred in wuxia detective series The Four, based on the novel Si Da Ming Pu by Woon Swee Oan, portraying the character "Wu Qing (Emotionless)".^[27][28] The drama series was especially popular with the younger audiences due to its main cast of flower boys.^[29] He started to gain more recognition after the premiere of The Left Ear. In the film, Yang plays the school's "campus prince", who harbors dual personalities.^[30] The coming-of-age film was a huge commercial success, grossing US$78 million from its initial budget of U$10 million.

He then starred in action-adventure web-drama The Lost Tomb as the one of the two main leads Zhang Qiling, based on the novel of the same name.^[31] The series became an internet sensation upon its premiere on iQiyi, attaining 100 million views within 22 hours. Throughout its run, the internet drama drew huge traffic and triggered much discussions online and offline, attaining a cult following.

Following The Lost Tomb, Yang then played the male lead Ruo Bai in idol sports drama The Whirlwind Girl.^[32] His character became popular with the audiences, who affectionately called him "Ruo Bai Ba Ba (father)". The drama captured first-place spot among TV show ratings, and quickly gained one of the highest viewership ratings of the year.

Yang also became a cast member in travel reality show Divas Hit the Road (II). The show, which features trendy and upcoming actors Jing Boran, Hans Zhang and Zheng Shuang, was extremely well received by the audience and gained him more fans. Along with his outstanding performance, he topped the "2015 Chinese Reality Show Star Ranking".^[33][34]

At the end of the year, Yang won several major awards, testifying to his popularity and establishing his status as one of the most popular and sought-after young actors (also known as "Little Fresh Meat"). He was awarded the Most Influential TV Actor together with actor Deng Chao at the BAZAAR Men's Style Awards Night,^[35] and Favourite TV Actor of the Year award at the iQiyi All-Star Carnival Night 2016.^[36] Yang was recognized as the actor that Generated the most Concern/Interest and actor with the Most Media Influence at the Anhui TV Drama Awards.^[37]

In March 2016, Yang was named the endorser for Guerlain, becoming the first male endorser for the French brand LVMH Group. He also became the endorser for OPPO and game of A Chinese Ghost Story.^[38][39] On March 18, Yang was announce by Powerstar to be the Most Popular Actor in the mainland region. He was then invited by Dior to attend the Dior Homme Winter 2016/2017 show, becoming the only Chinese actor to be officially invited. He also was invited as celeb torch-bearers in Athens to start the Olympic flame’s journey around the world.^[40] In May, Yang released a single "Summer's Smooth Hair Dance (夏日顺发舞)" in collaboration with Rejoice Shampoo. The single topped the V Charts upon release and broke records to become the fastest single to achieve ten million plays in a week.

In May 2016, Yang was cast in the romance film I Belonged to You.^[41] The film was released on September 29, 2016 which topped box office charts and broke box office sales record for mainland-produced romance films. It eventually grossed over US$100 million to become one of the highest-grossing films in China.

Yang then paired up with fellow Divas Hit The Road cast member Zheng Shuang in the youth idol drama Just One Smile Is Very Alluring, based on the popular college age romance novel of the same name by Gu Man.^[42][43] Upon release, it became a hot-issued topic, gaining a large number of views in a short time and attention from media outlets. Yang experienced a surge in popularity, allowing him to top the Vlinkage Celebrity List for 13 times in 6 months.^[44]

In August 2016, Yang was cast in the drama adaption of popular xianxia novel Wu Dong Qian Kun (武动乾坤), titled Martial Universe. He plays Lin Dong, a young boy who later transforms into a revered hero.^[45][46][47]

Yang will be starring alongside Liu Yifei in Once Upon a Time, the movie adaption of popular fantasy period romance novel Three Lives of Peach Blossom.^[48][49] In September 2016, Liu made a surprise appearance at Yang's birthday party.

In October 2016, Yang was named the endorser for Baidu Maps. On November 29, Yang was announce by Baidu to be the most valuable artist of the year. Yang become public welfare ambassador Kering Foundation "Be Her Voice" spoken for Women rights and elimination of violance against women. Yang also joined with other artists recording song "Sunshine in the Eyes" for Red Ribbon World AIDS day.^[50][51][52]

Filmography

Television

Film

Theatre

• 2009 The Dream of Red Mansions 红楼梦水景秀^[10]

Discography

Singles

Soundtracks

Awards

References

External links

• (Chinese) Yang Yang's personal weibo on Sina.com
• (Chinese) Yang Yang on Baidu Baike