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| Yang Yang Breaks Silence on Public Backlash and Self-Imposed Hiatus |
Chinese heartthrob Yang Yang is officially back on our screens, starring in the highly anticipated fantasy drama The Immortal Ascension. Fans have been eagerly waiting for his return, especially after a turbulent couple of years following his 2023 drama My Fireworks on Earth, where some criticised his performance as “over the top,” leading to a dip in his public image.
In a candid interview with CCTV.com, Yang Yang opened up about why he went quiet for two years—a revelation that has struck a chord with many of his fans.
“Because there were roles that perhaps didn’t land well at the time, and some people didn’t really like me. So I chose to step back, focus on being an actor, and explore other characters to play them properly,” he admitted.
He emphasised that his absence wasn’t a case of taking a break or going on holiday. Instead, it was a deliberate reduction in public appearances, as his works were in production and not yet released.
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| How Yang Yang Spent 2 Years Away from the Spotlight |
Yang Yang also shared that he embraced criticism as a natural part of growth: “Every experience is a valuable opportunity to improve.”
The 33-year-old actor, who shot to fame with the hit idol drama Love O2O, described his career as a “wave line”—full of ups and downs. “Life can’t always be at the peak. Sometimes stepping down to enjoy the scenery is just as important,” he reflected.
The public backlash in 2023 stemmed largely from his role as Song Yan in My Fireworks on Earth, where certain scenes drew criticism from both audiences and experts. Netizens labelled some performances as “greasy” and questioned plot logic, creating a social media storm.
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At the same time, regulatory changes in the entertainment industry meant Yang Yang’s company, co-owned with his father, was officially deregistered, sparking further online chatter.
Rather than fight back publicly, Yang Yang chose a low-profile route: skipping variety shows, turning down commercial work, and keeping his social media calm.
The “disappearance” was, in his words, a mix of a project gap and intentional self-reflection, letting his work speak for him rather than relying on constant media exposure.
For his return in The Immortal Ascension, Yang Yang reportedly went all in: losing 15–20 pounds to fit the role, appearing without makeup, performing high-risk stunts himself—even with an old hip injury flaring up.
He insisted on doing his own wirework for three-hour-long action sequences, aiming for fluidity and authenticity in every scene.
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Fans were touched by his honesty when he explained the quiet years. “During those two years, I simply wasn’t appearing in the public eye often… because some roles didn’t land, and people didn’t like me at that moment, so I decided to show up less, focus on other characters, and play them well,” he said with a subtle smile.
His straightforward reflection has resonated widely. Within 24 hours of the interview clip going viral, Yang Yang’s remarks topped five trending searches on Chinese social media, amassing over 300 million views.
Now, with The Immortal Ascension, Yang Yang seems ready not just to reclaim his spotlight but to prove how far he’s matured as an actor, showing fans that patience, humility, and hard work can ride the waves of public opinion—and come out stronger.