Yong Mei (; born 14 February 1970) is a Chinese actress. In 2019, she won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival for her performance in the film So Long, My Son directed by Wang Xiaoshuai.
Early life and education An ethnic Mongol, Yong Mei was born on 14 February 1970 in Hohhot, the capital of China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Her original name in Mongolian is Sunjidma (, , , ), meaning "fairy", which has given rise to her nickname "Sister Fairy" (). She studied business administration at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, where she was active in performing arts.
Career After graduation from university, she initially worked in foreign trade, and later in the studio of the influential television hostess Xu Gehui (许戈辉). On the recommendation of Xu, Yong Mei starred in the 1997 television drama The Man Who Herds the Clouds (牧云的男人) and began her acting career. She had her breakout role in the 2004 television drama A Chinese-style Divorce (中国式离婚), which made her wildly popular. She was also praised for her performances in the TV series Cell Phone (手机), Ocean Paradise (海洋天堂), You Are My Lover (你是我爱人), and Cliff (悬崖, 2012).
In 2015, Yong Mei appeared in Hou Hsiao-hsien's film The Assassin (or Assassin Nie Yinniang), in which she plays the mother of the title character, Nie Yinniang. The production lasted from 2012 to 2014; she thoroughly enjoyed the experience and held the film in high regard. She did not accept a major role for the next few years for lack of a suitable script that met her standard for quality.
The next major film she appeared in was So Long, My Son, directed by Wang Xiaoshuai, in which she portrays a mother who has lost her only son. To prepare for the role, she interviewed a real-life mother who had lost her only child. She originally scheduled two hours for the interview, but it was eventually extended to seven hours and gave her deep insight into a mother's sorrow. The film premiered at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2019, Yong Mei's 49th birthday. For their performance, Yong Mei and Wang Jingchun, who plays her husband in the film, were awarded the Silver Bear for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively. She was the first actress from mainland China to win the award.
Personal life Yong Mei is married to Luan Shu, the former lead singer of the Beijing rock band Black Panther. She became a fan of the band after being introduced to its music by a friend, and starred in the music video for its song "Don't Break My Heart".
Filmography
Film Year English title Chinese title RoleNotes 2000 A Lingering Face 非常夏日 Foreman 2000 Piao zai haishang de xue 飘在海上的雪 Liang Xiaoling 2002 Longtao 龙套 Song Xing 2003 Cell Phone 手机Xiao Su 2010 Ocean Heaven 海洋天堂 Principal Tan 2010 Aftershock 唐山大地震Fang twins' aunt 2011 Wo de xiatian 我的夏天Liao Chenxue 2013 Young Style 青春派 Mother 2014 One Day 有一天 Mother of left-behind children Segment Present 2015 The Assassin 刺客聂隐娘Lady Nie Tian Nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Chinese Film Media Awards 2017 Secret Fruit 秘果Mother Yu 2018 Genghis Khan 战神纪 Hoelun 2019 So Long, My Son 地久天长Wang Liyun Won the Silver Bear for Best Actress and the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actress 2021 Schemes in Antiques 古董局中局 Shen 2024 Like a Rolling Stone 出走的决心 Li Hong Based on the true story of Su Min
Television Year English title Chinese title RoleNotes 1995 Mu Yun's Man 牧云的男人 Mu Yun 1996 Rizhao nuren xin 日照女人心 1997 Beijing Love Story 北京爱情故事 Mo Huan 1998 Silk Street 秀水街Qimei 1999 Feng die yu ren 疯蝶雨人Roland Supreme Honor 至高荣誉Xia Jie The Place Where Dreams Start 梦开始的地方 Xin Pingping 2000 Wenzhou Woman 温州女人 Ami Secretary of the Party Committee 县委书记 Shen Lihong 2001 Mantra 真言Anyang Bangkok Rainy Season 曼谷雨季Bu Yilan Stacking Emotions 堆积情感Liu Li Langji tianya 浪迹天涯 Qinfang Past and Present 前世今生 Xianglan/ Duan Xiaoyu 2002 Not Far Away 相邻不远 Mu Yun Qianlong Dynasty 乾隆王朝 Su Qinglian Loyal Guard 忠诚卫士 Ouyang Yurong Don't Come Near Me 不要靠近我Meng Yue 2003 Walk Through Happiness 走过幸福Fang Fang Blue Bird Sky 青鸟的天空Lin Ping Chinese Divorce 中国式离婚 Xiao Li 2004 When Marriage Comes to an End 当婚姻走到尽头 Shan Lingling 2005 Student Abroad 小留学生 Mrs. Ye 2006 Yi hei zhi hei 以黑治黑Shen Lihong Dutiful Son 孝子Xie Yan Suochun 锁春记Chawandan 2007 Where is My Home 何处是我家Han Rusu Half of Heaven 一半天堂 Chen Xiaoning 2008 Ruguo hai you mingtian 如果还有明天 Leng Wei Newcomers to the Middle-Aged 人到中年Jiang Ning 2009 Shan bei hanzi 陕北汉子 Ulanzhu 2010 Zhongdiangongmen 钟点工们 Liu Li Zong you qingkong 总有晴空Chawandan 2011 Cliff 悬崖Sun Yuejian Ni shi wo airen 你是我爱人 Chen Xiaoning Ernu de zhanzheng 儿女的战争 Leng Wei 2012 Luanshi shuxiang 乱世书香Jiang Ning 2016 Xiao bieli 小别离 Ulanzhu 2019 A Little Reunion 小欢喜 Liu Jing Nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series at the Shanghai Television Festival2021LouYang风起洛阳The Emperor
Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryProjectResultRef. 2004China TV Golden Eagle AwardsAudience's Choice for Actress Loyal Guardian 2006 Chinese Style Divorce 2016 Chinese Film Media AwardsBest Supporting Actress The Assassin 2019Berlin International Film FestivalSilver Bear for Best ActressSo Long, My Son 2019 Golden Rooster AwardsBest Actress 2020 Asian Film AwardsBest Actress 2019Chinese Film Media AwardsBest Actress Asia Pacific Screen AwardsBest Performance by an Actress 2020China Film Director's Guild AwardsBest Actress Shanghai Television FestivalBest Supporting Actress in a Television Series A Little Reunion 2024Silk Road International Film FestivalGolden Silk Road Award for Best ActressLike a Rolling Stone 2025Beijing College Student Film FestivalFavorite Actress China Film Director's Guild AwardsBest Actress Changchun Film FestivalBest Actress Golden Rooster AwardsBest Actress
References
External links
Yong Mei on Douban