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).[2] On the recommendation of Xu, Yong Mei starred in the 1997 television dramaThe Man Who Herds the Clouds (牧云的男人) and began her acting career.[3] She had her breakout role in the 2004 television drama A Chinese-style Divorce (中国式离婚), which made her wildly popular.[1] 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).[3]
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.[1]
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.[1] 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.[1] The film premiered at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival on 14 February 2019,[4][5] Yong Mei's 49th birthday.[1] 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.[5][6] She was the first actress from mainland China to win the award.[2]
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".[1]
^Shenyang Today (28 June 2004). "第22届金鹰奖候选名单出炉 《大宅门》意外落选" [The list of candidates for the 22nd Golden Eagle Awards was released, and "The Grand Mansion Gate" was unexpectedly eliminated]. Sina. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024.
^"第23届中国电视金鹰奖电视剧女演员提名名单" [List of nominees for the 23rd China TV Golden Eagle Awards TV Drama Actress]. Sohu. October 10, 2006. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008.
^"导协2019年提名名单公布,王景春易烊千玺等入围年度男演员" [The 2019 nomination list of the Directors Association was announced, and Wang Jingchun, Yi Yangqianxi and others were shortlisted for the annual actor award]. Sohu. 25 August 2020. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024.