I.
In 2007, the release of “Lust, Caution” meticulously crafted by Tony Leung and Tang Wei caused a sensation with its boldness…
To appreciate the unadulterated essence of the film, many even traveled to Hong Kong to watch the “uncut version.”
Actually, this wasn’t about watching the story at all, it was purely about observing the “positions,” putting in the effort to learn a few moves, aiming to improve one’s skills in playing “Tetris” or “Reciting Swan.”
During the filming of this movie, director Ang Lee placed all his bets on Tang Wei, spending most of his time and effort capturing her on camera. Sure enough, those brilliant scenes propelled her to fame overnight, but the cost was unexpected.
The goddess Tang Wei could navigate mountains and rivers to enter Ang Lee’s lens, and several men were indispensable to her success.
The first one, named Zhu Yuchen.
It was in 1995, on a misty morning, when 16-year-old Tang Wei encountered Zhu Yuchen while jogging. Their eyes met, hormones surged instantly, and just as it seemed fate was about to pass them by, Tang Wei stopped him.
After a conversation, Tang Wei learned that the boy’s name was Zhu Yuchen, and he was the same age as her. Interestingly, Zhu Yuchen turned out to be her classmate at the same level and was also in his second year of high school at Hangzhou No. 54 Vocational High School.
Thinking that there was still time ahead, Tang Wei became reserved, but Zhu Yuchen seemed to see through the goddess’s tactic of playing hard to get. He took the initiative and with a bold move, effortlessly tore down the veil between them.
And so, a campus romance, dubbed “first love” by Zhu Yuchen, began in the form of an “underground battle” and lasted for two years.
This youthful period, mixed with hormones, hit a reef during the college entrance examination. Tang Wei and Zhu Yuchen both failed the exam, but it also stirred up beautiful waves. The two “weakly joined hands,” their friendship deepened, and they decided to face the college entrance examination together, agreeing to meet at the Beijing Film Academy.
Tang Wei was born in 1979, and her childhood dream was never to become an actress; she had always wanted to be a painter, following in her father’s footsteps. However, love ended up bending her ideals.
At the age of 18, Tang Wei, full of youthful vigor, showed the typical dreams, pursuits, and unwavering determination of a young girl.
Since love was still there, the dream of attending the Beijing Film Academy couldn’t be extinguished. At that time, her parents were completely unaware of her early love affair, urging her daughter to focus on her studies and not to fall in love.
Tang Wei loudly agreed, then turned around and reviewed her lessons with Zhu Yuchen in the small rented house next to the Beijing Film Academy, also taking the opportunity to study Tang poetry. They were busy and happy. After a year of such busyness, something unexpected happened.
II.
In 1998, at the age of 19, Tang Wei and Zhu Yuchen challenged the Beijing Film Academy again. Fate rescued Zhu Yuchen, but left Tang Wei behind; her academic scores were low, and she failed again.
However, this slap from fate didn’t wake Tang Wei up. It wasn’t until 1999, when the curse struck again and she failed for the second time, that she touched her hot cheek, began to focus on her studies, and took on part-time jobs as an advertising model.
At the same time, Zhu Yuchen was leisurely strolling through the campus of the Beijing Film Academy, where beautiful women abounded. After some twists and turns, he returned to the rented house and saw Tang Wei immersed in her studies. Physically and mentally, a mountain had been added between them.
Under the sunlight, dust rolled, emotions mixed with future anxieties, and with the temptation and distractions of reality, the distance between them widened. After repeated arguments, they eventually parted ways.
In 2000, at the age of 21, Tang Wei finally, on her fourth attempt, used a “roundabout tactic” to enter the gates of the Beijing Film Academy’s directing department, despite the humiliation of being seen as “not a good seed for an actor” by the examiners.
Tang Wei naturally exuded an artistic temperament, with delicate features, long flowing hair, a height of 1.72 meters, and a pair of beautifully proportioned long legs, captivating countless hearts. However, when she first entered the advertising industry, she only took on low-quality advertisements, and as for film and television roles, she had no chance.
Tang Wei, in the eyes of the public, was not a mainstream beauty that could captivate at first sight. But as a “second-glance beauty,” there were definitely more people appreciating her than just Zhu Yuchen.
So, soon enough, the second man who would change her destiny eagerly made his appearance.
III.
In 2002, Yuan Hong, a well-known theater producer at the age of 28, organized a university drama festival at the Central Academy of Drama. Tang Wei, a 23-year-old “good student,” volunteered for the event, and her enthusiasm impressed Yuan Hong greatly. Yuan Hong had a very good impression of her.
At that time, Tang Wei was still a sophomore who couldn’t land any acting gigs. No one paid attention to her relationship with Yuan Hong’s career path, but they noticed that their relationship was getting closer day by day, so much so that Yuan Hong decided to personally change Tang Wei’s destiny.
In Yuan Hong’s circle of friends, there was a senior who was 20 years older than him, the renowned Taiwanese playwright and director Lai Shengchuan, who was then preparing a large-scale play called “Dream of Dreams.” Yuan Hong invited him to give a lecture at the Central Academy of Drama and arranged a play, with Tang Wei as one of the performers.
At that time, Lai Shengchuan didn’t know Tang Wei, but he saw on stage a girl whose aura and charm resembled Wu Qianlian. This kind of literary and artistic beauty was exactly his type.
So he immediately invited Tang Wei to participate in the play “Dream of Dreams,” letting her play the role of “the wife of Patient No. 5,” adding a vivid touch to her theatrical career.
In 2004, at the age of 25, Tang Wei graduated from the Central Academy of Drama. At her age, not having acted in any roles meant she certainly didn’t belong to the circle of “getting famous early.”
Tang Wei, who was eager to break into the scene, set her sights on another path. She wanted to take a shortcut, elevate her status, so she took graceful steps onto the stage of the “2004 Miss International” beauty pageant.
In the beauty contest, she returned empty-handed, stopping at fifth place in the Beijing division. She didn’t even make it to the top in Beijing, let alone on the global stage.
With such a result, naturally, she received very little attention, and the roles she could get were quite ordinary.
In the same year, Tang Wei had cameo roles in the TV dramas “Before and After the Sea” and “Brothers Are Brothers,” playing very ordinary characters. From appearance to acting skills, there was nothing remarkable.
But a passionate love affair suddenly happened to her.
IV.
In 2006, at the age of 27, Tang Wei had three strokes of good luck. The first stroke was landing the lead role in the film “Golden Swallow,” where she portrayed the righteous female traffic police officer, Tian Yan.
The second stroke was winning the “Outstanding Actress” award at the 6th Digital Film Hundred Flowers Awards, sharing it with the veteran actress Tao Hong.
The third stroke was about love. The male lead in the film, Beijing actor Tian Yu, who was two years older than her, used his tender affection to moisten Tang Wei’s parched heart, giving her a sense of warmth and security.
Tian Yu was genuinely good to Tang Wei, making her feel she wasn’t insignificant in love. So, not long after they fell in love, they publicly announced their relationship, and Yuan Hong slowly faded out of Tang Wei’s social circle.
In 2006, at the age of 27, Zhu Yuchen shot to fame for his role as “Hua Zi” in the youth drama “Struggle” written by Shi Kang and directed by Zhao Baogang. Meanwhile, Tang Wei was still immersed in the love affair with Tian Yu, unaware that the ship of fate was about to turn.
That same year, Ang Lee, fresh from winning an Oscar for “Brokeback Mountain,” was enthusiastically casting for his new film “Lust, Caution,” especially pinning his hopes on the lead actress, “Wong Chia-chi.”
For a moment, big names like Zhang Ziyi, Shu Qi, Zhou Xun, Zhang Jingchu, and Barbie Hsu were all considered for the role.
At that time, Tang Wei, who was still dreaming of marriage, helped her boyfriend Tian Yu send his materials to the set of “Lust, Caution,” never considering trying out for the role herself, especially not for the lead.
However, fate has its ways. If luck is on your side, you can’t avoid it.
On the set, Tang Wei coincidentally met a friend who happened to take her to meet Ang Lee. After a brief exchange, Ang Lee saw this girl exuding an aura akin to that of a “Chinese literature and history teacher” and envisioned her as “Wong Chia-chi.”
But Ang Lee didn’t immediately extend an offer. Being experienced, he wanted to consider his options. It was at this moment that another man, who would alter Tang Wei’s destiny, came to her aid.
V.
Lai Shengchuan had already added color to Tang Wei’s theatrical career, but his influence extended further.
After learning about Tang Wei’s situation, he made a transoceanic phone call to his friend, Ang Lee. As soon as Ang Lee heard even Lai Shengchuan praising Tang Wei, he was intrigued.
Perhaps to avoid suspicion, Lai Shengchuan also recommended another talent of his, but Ang Lee ultimately chose Tang Wei.
For Ang Lee, who was adept at nurturing new talent, Tang Wei, who wasn’t well-received in the Chinese film industry, had an uncommonly sophisticated appearance.
In the end, Tang Wei played the lead role in “Lust, Caution,” while Tian Yu missed out on any role. Tang Wei’s co-star in the film was the “Emperor of Acting,” Tony Leung, whom Ang Lee referred to as the “god of acting.” Meanwhile, Tian Yu thought they were just shooting ordinary passionate scenes…
Later, “Lust, Caution” took a total of 118 days to shoot, with Tang Wei being filmed for 114 days. Ang Lee put all his chips on Tang Wei, publicly stating, “I’ve never spent so much time cultivating an actor!”
During their “intense exchanges,” they stirred up a sensation with the infamous “zipper incident,” which was akin to the scene where someone feeds Jackie Chan grapes in a certain film.
In reality, during one rehearsal, Tang Wei noticed Ang Lee’s coat was open, so she casually zipped it up for him. Unfortunately, this moment was captured by journalists covering the set, and from their angle, Tang Wei’s hand seemed too close to Ang Lee, sparking a storm of rumors…
During the filming of “Lust, Caution,” Tian Yu also visited Tang Wei on set in Shanghai, and their relationship remained affectionate, planning to marry after finishing the film.
Tang Wei thought she was about to embark on a life of marital bliss, but the unpredictability of life dashed her hopes. In November 2007, “Lust, Caution” premiered. Filled with passion on screen, the 28-year-old Tang Wei stunned audiences under Ang Lee’s direction, engaging in three steamy bed scenes with the 45-year-old Tony Leung.
A wave of sensuality quickly became the focus of public opinion, and Tang Wei successfully became the leading actress, dubbed the “hard disk goddess.”
In various press conferences, the media eagerly asked Tang Wei if there was any real passion behind the scenes
, but Tang Wei, Tony Leung, and Ang Lee… all parties either avoided the question or responded skillfully, leaving blanks like those in Chinese landscape paintings, fueling endless speculation.
A series of erotic photoshoots with Tang Wei and her on-screen “love interest” Wang Leehom also sparked intense discussions among netizens, turning rumors into hot topics.
During a press conference, the two didn’t shy away from each other, and Wang Leehom lavished attention on Tang Wei, even publicly declaring, “I have feelings of love for Tang Wei both in and out of character.”
As public opinion stormed, Tang Wei’s fame skyrocketed, and her beauty was widely accepted by the public. She was quickly awarded the “Best Newcomer” at the Golden Horse Awards and swiftly secured a high-paying endorsement deal with a skincare brand.
However, this film marked the end of her relationship with Tian Yu.
Had it not been for a rumor that during the filming of “Lust, Caution,” Tang Wei and Tony Leung got too carried away while practicing “Tang Dynasty poetry” and even engaged in real intimate acts, the 28-year-old Tang Wei would have long been Tian Yu’s wife, living a peaceful life of marriage and family.
However, from loss, she gained. The sacrifice of a relationship led to the climax of her acting career, with her name resounding loudly, unmatched in popularity.
But unexpectedly, a man who had no connection to Tang Wei inadvertently caused an even more sensational “erotic incident,” changing the course of public opinion.
VI.
In early 2008, several explicit photos of Edison Chen were leaked online, shocking the Chinese community and causing a frenzy of gossip and hormones.
Subsequently, Edison Chen was blacklisted, policies tightened, and films with explicit content like “Lust, Caution” became targets. Tang Wei, the much-anticipated “mainland newcomer,” also suffered; her endorsements were banned, talk show appearances canceled, and all job offers revoked…
The fast lane to becoming a top-tier actress was suddenly blocked, but the “culprit” Ang Lee didn’t just stand by. At his request, a prominent figure in the Hong Kong entertainment industry took Tang Wei under his wing amidst the storm.
This person was none other than Jiang Zhiqiang, dubbed by Hollywood magazines as the “most successful producer in Asia.” With a vast network and long-term vision, he planned Tang Wei’s comeback within two years.
At this point, Tang Wei was nearing her thirties and sought growth. Attitude mattered greatly. She accepted the company’s arrangements, went to study in the UK, and embraced the motto “silence is golden” with a reset mindset.
After “Lust, Caution,” Tang Wei disappeared from the public eye. Reflecting on her situation later, she described it as: “I was like… the A-share market, soaring to its highest point in a frenzy and then crashing instantly.”
A person’s fate is like a floating duckweed; with different winds, the ending can vary greatly. Especially after experiencing great ups and downs, if one’s mindset isn’t positive, if they can’t remain optimistic, then after a fall, it’s really difficult to get back up.
For two years in the UK, Tang Wei quietly studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, took up part-time modeling and badminton coaching, and even busked on the streets…
In 2010, at the age of 31, Tang Wei returned home after completing her studies, ready to start anew amidst the skepticism.
At the company’s arrangement, Tang Wei shunned the image of the “goddess of desire” from “Lust, Caution” and, with the support of a highly acclaimed “king of the Hong Kong entertainment industry,” embarked on the path of revival as the “goddess of culture and arts.”
VII.
In 2010, the Hong Kong romance film “Full Moon in Paris” was released in mainland China, and audiences were pleasantly surprised to find that the one falling in love with Jacky Cheung in the movie was Tang Wei, who had already been out of the entertainment industry for two years.
Tang Wei portrayed a girl-next-door image in the film, which was quite different from her role in “Lust, Caution.” Despite being a romance film, there weren’t even any kissing scenes, and there was no sensational news during the promotional period.
This film, from the script to the roles to the director, including the co-star Jacky Cheung, were all carefully selected by the Jiang Zhiqiang team, escorting Tang Wei’s comeback journey.
With this film, Tang Wei was nominated for both the Golden Horse Award and the Golden Statue Award for Best Actress, and she won the Best Actress award at the Chinese Film Media Awards, dispelling the shadow of the past “blacklisting.”
As the darkness faded away, Tang Wei successfully returned to the mainland film industry. People breathed a sigh of relief, accelerated their pace forward, and secured a role in a film with a red theme, just as Tang Wei’s own family saying goes: “When you take big steps, it’s easy to stumble.”
The highly anticipated tribute film “The Founding of a Party” gathered 178 stars to appear, with celebrities from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Tang Wei was arranged to play the role of the great man’s first love, the talented woman from Jiangnan, “Tao Yi.”
However, the glory of the role did not continue into reality. Before the release, all of Tang Wei’s scenes were cut, and the reasons behind it were self-evident.
At this time, South Korean director Kim Tae-young’s keen eye brought a ray of light to Tang Wei’s comeback journey.
Kim Tae-young admired Tang Wei since she was 10 years old. When he first met her, he was deeply attracted to her. He invited her to star in his new film “Late Autumn.” After Tang Wei confirmed her role, Kim Tae-young put her photo on the wall and completed the final script.
However, it was the male lead, Hyun Bin, who was three years younger than Tang Wei, who was first rumored to be involved with her. Their on-screen “intertwined kissing scene,” dubbed as the longest kiss in Korean film history, pushed their “brother-sister romance” to its climax.
Shortly after, Hyun Bin and his girlfriend of one year, Song Hye-kyo, parted ways, and Tang Wei became the “third party” in the eyes of the South Korean media, although she vehemently denied it.
In 2011, “Late Autumn” was released in South Korea. At the age of 32, Tang Wei won the Best Actress award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for her role as “Anna,” becoming the first foreign actress to win the Best Actress award in South Korean history.
This film made Tang Wei win ten “Best Actress” awards in the South Korean film industry, making her a national idol in Korea and even attracting Edison Chen to openly express his love for her on Weibo.
In April of the same year, South Korean media captured photos of Tang Wei and Kim Tae-young strolling together at night. By the end of the year, Kim Tae-young announced his divorce, and rumors about the two of them spread like wildfire.
However, Tang Wei’s next love interest was neither Kim Tae-young nor Hyun Bin.
It was Chen Yuli, a musical prodigy born four years younger than her, from a musical family. He had worked as the sound engineer and production supervisor for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, recording the theme song “You and Me.”
However, their happiness was short-lived. An “accident” abruptly ended their “brother-sister romance.”
In September 2012, Chen Yuli, aged 29, passed away in a car accident in Switzerland. When the news reached Tang Wei, she emotionally broke down but still managed to host the memorial service.
But this wasn’t just the end of a tragic love story; it was also the beginning of another. Ironically, Tang Wei’s next boyfriend was also connected to this memorial service.
VIII.
Known as “Little Beard,” Hu Jing was one year younger than Tang Wei. He was a good friend of Chen Yuli and the organizer of the memorial service, having participated in the 2004 and 2007 seasons of “Super Boy” (later renamed “Happy Boy”), but without success.
However, in the course of events, he became the romantic lead in Tang Wei’s life. Perhaps it was because Chen Yuli couldn’t bear to see Tang Wei in too much pain, so he entrusted Cupid to carefully arrange this love story.
In 2013, the movie “Finding Mr. Right” was released, and it was a huge success at the box office. At the age of 34, Tang Wei was nominated for the Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards, winning numerous awards domestically and rapidly increasing her popularity.
In the same year, Tang Wei overshadowed her peers and was crowned the “Goddess of Geeky Men.” Her bold performances had been diluted by the passage of time, making her the “C-position Goddess” in the hearts of the masses.
However, her relationship with Hu Jing eventually ended due to distance, and they parted ways.
In the same year, Tang Wei bid farewell to her old love and welcomed a “new love,” but it wasn’t the “married man” Wu Xiubo, who was rumored to be involved with her, but rather the “divorced man” Kim Tae-young, who had been linked to her before.
It’s evident that prolonged rumors can turn false drama into real feelings. In 2014, at the age of 35, Tang Wei married 45-year-old Kim Tae-young. Two years later, at the age of 37, Tang Wei gave birth to a daughter in Hong Kong.
While her personal and family life went smoothly, her career in the entertainment industry took a downturn.
The popular films and TV series Tang Wei starred in earlier, such as “Wuxia,” “The Golden Era,” and “Three Cities,” were all criticized. Her postpartum comeback in “The Great Ming Dynasty” was heavily criticized for its abrupt change in style, with her bulky appearance described as a walking “salted egg.”
The goddess on the pedestal had her feathers plucked off one by one. Faced with criticism, Tang Wei declared in an interview, “I don’t have acting skills, I can only merge with the character’s inner world.”
Nevertheless, with the assistance of South Korean actor Park Chan-wook, Tang Wei won awards at film festivals in Korea and Cannes for “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do,” receiving accolades beyond measure…
Perhaps seeing Tang Wei’s influence in Korea, she recently became the latest spokesperson for Alibaba’s global marketplace, AliExpress, in the Korean market.
Every step in life counts for something. As for the future path, perhaps a few lines of poetry from Tang Wei’s fellow Zhejiang native, Yu Dafu, can resonate from afar:
“It’s not easy to cherish oneself in front of the wine jar, pretending to be crazy is hard to avoid becoming real.
Once drunk, even a whip can’t control fine horses, afraid of too much emotion burdening the beautiful woman…”