Tang Wei’s journey in showbiz: From a struggling actress in China to a prominent star in Korea
The actress has had a hard-won career and fulfilled life, with, a major part, thanks to her husband.
On November 26th, Tang Wei became the first foreign actress to receive the honorable ‘Best Actress’ from the “Blue Dragon Film Awards” in Korea as Seo Rae in the box-office success “Decision to Leave”. Apart from the actress’ hard work, her life partner Kim Tae Yong also plays his part in the making of her current hard-won success.
From the ‘disregarded’ actress in China to a recognized ‘Best Actress’ in Korea
Tang Wei was born in 1979 in Wenzhou into a family with a tradition in art. Her mother was a seasoned actress and her father a famous artist, calligrapher and art expert Tang Yu Ming. At first, Tang Wei had no intention to pursue arts but instead wanted to follow archaeology and law.
Nonetheless, she later switched to the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing to be with her first love. It took her three tries to make it into the school only to go through a breakup when she reached graduation. In 1997, Tang Wei had her first step in the industry.
Like other rookie actors, Tang Wei did not receive any breakout roles and only took over supporting roles in small-budget film projects. It was in 2006 that she had her first breakthrough as Wong Chia Chi and co-starring Tony Leung in “Lust, Caution” directed by Lee Ang.
She rose to stardom overnight and became a prominent star in Chinese cinema. However, the wave of fame soon passed by when the actress was banned from appearing on the media and news in China due to the “sexual nature of her performance”, according to Reuters, that was supposed to deal negative impact to young people.
The fallen star went for a hiatus before coming back to the screen as the lead role in the movies “Crossing Hennessy” by Ivy Ho in 2010 and “Late Autumn” in the same year by Kim Tae Yong. Tang Wei as Anna helped the actress become the first foreigner to win ‘Best Actress’ at the “Baeksang Arts Awards” and built a romantic relationship with her current husband Kim Tae Yong.
Kim Tae Yong himself was a director born in 1969. He first studied in Yonsei University majoring in Politics and Diplomacy and later enrolled in Filmmaking at the Korean Academy of Film Arts. He is known for such works as “Memento Mori”, “Set Me Free”, “Late Autumn”, “You Are More Than Beautiful” and “Family Ties”, receiving awards and gaining critical acclaim for impressive artistic filmmaking style.
In many ways, the encounter between Kim Tae Yong and Tang Wei opened up new opportunities for the actress to establish herself in the Korean filming scene.
A peaceful and quiet love story
Specifically, Tang Wei and Kim Tae Yong met in 2009 when Tang Wei received the lead role, Tae Yong carefully instructed and shared knowledge of a “Korean way of life” to help the actress better understand the role.
They developed romantic feelings from the professional relationship and dated in secret, avoiding the public eyes. In 2012, the couple revealed their relationship to the public and went through the first hardship as a couple.
In detail, Korean news found out director Kim had a divorce in late 2011 and they claimed Tang Wei to be the “love affair”. However, despite all the speculation and groundless rumors, Tang Wei maintained a happy relationship with Kim Tae Yong and the two got married in 2014. They have had a peaceful and calm marriage life ever since.
In 2016, the couple welcomed their first daughter and kept their lives private, taking off from public events. The news of separation earlier this year was quickly debunked and the family lives happily in rural Korea.
Best happiness to the couple and hopefully Tang Wei will grace the screen with her next project real soon!
Source: DAN
