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| Jackson Yee Rewrites Golden Rooster History as Youngest-Ever Best Actor |
The 38th Golden Rooster Awards on 15 November 2025 turned into a milestone night for Chinese cinema, with Jackson Yee walking away as the youngest Best Actor winner the ceremony has ever seen. At just 24, the Big World lead not only set a new age record but also became the first actor born after 2000 to clinch the coveted title — a major leap for someone who started out as the youngest member of TFBoys at age 12.
After three previous nominations, Jackson Yee’s win felt like the natural next step in his steady climb from teen idol to fully fledged film heavyweight. His performance as Liu Chunhe — a young man navigating life with cerebral palsy while trying to rebuild family ties and chase an unlikely dream — drew widespread praise for its detail, restraint, and emotional depth.
ICYMI: 38th Golden Rooster Awards Full Winners List.
A Speech That Hit the Industry Where It Hurts
Speaking backstage, Yee looked genuinely relieved — and grounded.
“I made my debut at 12. Twelve years later, I’m still here, still learning, still under a spotlight,” he shared.
“I’m lucky I found acting. The road is long, and I hope audiences will respect me for the work, not the noise around it.”
Reflecting on his decade-long journey, he revealed that The Longest Day in Chang’an was the turning point that made him truly fall in love with acting.
After that, he spent two intense years training at the Central Academy of Drama, sharpening his craft and building the confidence to take on projects that demand both emotional weight and technical precision.
The part that stirred conversation online? His stance on “talent”.
“The word is too big,” he said. “Everyone performs in life — that’s the nature of it. I don’t like relying on the idea of talent. Hard work, patience, and the courage to take risks matter more.”
He also credited fans for sticking with him throughout his transition from pop-idol darling to serious actor:
“They give me the courage to take risks. And I’m grateful for the recognition from people in the same field.”
Song Jia Scores Another Career Peak
While Yee dominated headlines, actress Song Jia delivered her own slice of history. The 45-year-old powerhouse won Best Actress for Her Story, a film that also bagged Best Picture.
The win makes her only the fifth actress ever to achieve a “double Golden Rooster Best Actress” record — a rare feat that puts her among the industry’s most respected veterans.
This caps off a spectacular year for Song Jia, who had already secured the Magnolia Award earlier this year for her television work.
With both film and drama trophies under her belt in 2025, she’s arguably having the strongest career run of her generation.
A Surprise Name in the Nomination Line-Up
Another talking point came from Duan Aojuan — the former Rocket Girls 101 member whose acting nomination for The Lost Daughter sparked both excitement and disbelief online.
As the first survival-show alum to ever compete in a major Golden Rooster acting category, her nomination signals a quiet shift in the industry’s attitude toward idols transitioning into film.
Despite not winning, her recognition alone was viewed as a breakthrough that could open doors for other young performers trying to shake off the “idol acting” stereotype.
The Power of Big World and Why It Hit Audiences Hard
Big World itself is a character-driven drama built on themes of identity, familial fractures, and personal perseverance.
Through the eyes of Liu Chunhe, viewers follow a young man determined to honour his grandmother’s old dream of performing, patch up complicated ties with his mother, and find a place where he can stand without apology.
The film’s slow-burn emotional arc — paired with Yee’s grounded portrayal — has been credited with pushing him firmly into the ranks of China’s most promising actors of his generation.
Source: Sohu