Tang Wei: Age, Height, Biography, Boyfriend, Filmography, and Awards.

Full Name: Tang Wei (汤唯)
Date of Birth: October 7, 1979
Age: 44 (as of 2024)
Height: 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
Nationality: Chinese
Occupation: Actress
Years Active: 1998–present

Biography

Tang Wei was born in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, into an artistic family. Her mother was a stage actress and her father a painter, which influenced Tang Wei’s interest in the arts. Initially, she studied at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing, where she graduated with a degree in directing. Although she initially aimed to become a director, her career took a turn toward acting.

Tang Wei gained international fame with her breakout role in Ang Lee’s 2007 film Lust, Caution, where her bold performance as Wong Chia Chi made her a household name. However, due to the political controversy surrounding the film, Tang Wei faced a temporary ban from the Chinese film industry. Nevertheless, she later returned and continued her career with critical acclaim.

Boyfriend & Husband

During her early career, Tang Wei was romantically linked to several individuals. However, in 2014, she married Kim Tae-yong, a South Korean filmmaker. The two met while working on the film Late Autumn (2010), where Kim Tae-yong directed her. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in Sweden. In August 2016, Tang Wei gave birth to their daughter.

Filmography

Feature Films

In 2007, Tang Wei gained global recognition for her role as Wong Chia Chi / Mrs. Mak in the erotic espionage thriller “Lust, Caution,” directed by Ang Lee. Her portrayal of a young woman involved in a risky mission during World War II received both critical acclaim and sparked controversy in China.

In 2010, she starred in “Crossing Hennessy” as Oi Lin, a romantic comedy where she played a sweet and quiet girl opposite Hong Kong star Jacky Cheung.

The same year, Tang Wei appeared in “Late Autumn” as Anna, a convict on temporary release who meets a man during her short time out. The romantic drama was a major success in South Korea and marked her presence in the Korean film industry.

Her role as Wen Jiajia in the 2013 romantic comedy “Finding Mr. Right,” which portrayed the love story of a Chinese woman who moves to Seattle to give birth to her child, became a commercial hit.

In 2014, Tang Wei played the iconic Chinese writer Xiao Hong in “The Golden Era,” a biographical film praised for her deep and complex performance.

The actress made her Hollywood debut in 2015, starring as Chen Lien in the cyber-thriller “Blackhat” alongside Chris Hemsworth.

She portrayed Chen Yuerong in “A Tale of Three Cities” the same year, based on the true story about the parents of Jackie Chan. The war romance featured Tang Wei as a woman caught up in the turbulence of World War II.

“Book of Love” in 2016 continued the journey of Tang Wei’s character as Jiao Ye in a romantic adventure, serving as a sequel to “Finding Mr. Right.”

In 2018, Tang Wei played Wan Qiwen in “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” a highly experimental film acclaimed for its visual style, where she portrayed a mysterious woman from the protagonist’s past.

In 2022, she starred as Song Seo-rae in Park Chan-wook’s critically acclaimed thriller “Decision to Leave,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Her performance as a widow suspected of murder was praised for its emotional complexity and subtlety.

Television

In 2001, early in her career, Tang Wei appeared in the TV drama “Cuo Xiang (Wrong Carriage, Right Groom),” which was well received in mainland China.

Awards and Recognitions

Major Awards

In 2007, Tang Wei won the Best New Performer at the Golden Horse Awards for her fearless portrayal of Wong Chia Chi in “Lust, Caution,” navigating love and espionage during wartime.

She also won the Best Actress at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2011 for “Late Autumn,” becoming one of the few foreign actresses to do so. Her nuanced performance as a woman with a troubled past was lauded by critics.

Tang Wei has garnered numerous accolades for her outstanding performances in several films. In 2013, she won the Best Actress award at the Shanghai International Film Festival for her role in Finding Mr. Right, a romantic comedy that achieved great commercial success. The following year, she received the Best Actress award at the Asian Film Awards for her portrayal of the Chinese writer Xiao Hong in The Golden Era, earning critical acclaim and multiple awards. Most recently, in 2022, Tang Wei’s emotionally layered performance in Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave earned her the Best Actress award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. Additionally, she was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Horse Awards and the Cannes Film Festival for her role in Decision to Leave, and was in the running for the prestigious Palme d’Or.

Tang Wei Personal Life

Tang Wei is recognized for keeping her personal life relatively private, but she has shared significant moments, particularly related to her marriage and family, with the public.

In 2014, she tied the knot with South Korean director Kim Tae-yong. Their love story began in 2010 while working on the film Late Autumn, where Kim Tae-yong directed and Tang Wei played the lead role. After the film’s release, their professional relationship blossomed into a personal one, leading to a small, private wedding ceremony in Sweden in July 2014, attended by close friends and family. They later held another ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, for other friends and relatives. Their marriage is often highlighted in the media as a notable example of a cross-cultural relationship between a Chinese actress and a South Korean filmmaker.

In August 2016, Tang Wei and Kim Tae-yong welcomed their daughter. Although they have kept details about their daughter private, Tang Wei has occasionally expressed the joy and fulfillment that motherhood brings her. The couple currently divides their time between South Korea and China, balancing their professional commitments with family life.

Tang Wei is known for her reserved nature when it comes to her personal life, despite being an international celebrity. She enjoys painting and reading in her spare time, likely influenced by her parents’ artistic backgrounds—her mother being a stage actress and her father a painter. Additionally, she has a passion for travel, which she has incorporated into both her personal and professional life. Despite her reserved nature, she has expressed her love and appreciation for nature, sharing these experiences occasionally through social media or interviews.

Tang Wei’s personal life is also marked by resilience, especially after facing a ban from Chinese media following her role in the controversial film Lust, Caution (2007). Despite the challenges, she shifted her career focus to South Korea and other international markets, eventually making a successful return to Chinese cinema in 2010. Her marriage to Kim Tae-yong has also allowed her to continue exploring opportunities in Korean film, while maintaining a steady presence in Chinese productions.

Tang Wei tied the knot with South Korean director Kim Tae-yong in 2014. Their love story began in 2010 on the set of the film Late Autumn, where Kim Tae-yong directed while Tang Wei played the lead role. Their professional collaboration blossomed into a beautiful romance after the film’s release.

The couple opted for an intimate wedding ceremony in Sweden in July 2014, surrounded by close friends and family. They later hosted another celebration in Seoul, South Korea, for their extended circle. Their union has been widely recognized as a significant example of a cross-cultural relationship between a Chinese actress and a South Korean filmmaker.

In August 2016, Tang Wei and Kim Tae-yong welcomed their daughter. While they prefer to keep details about their daughter private, Tang Wei has expressed her joy and fulfillment in motherhood. Currently, the couple divides their time between South Korea and China, deftly balancing their professional commitments with family life.

Known for her reserved nature, Tang Wei maintains privacy in her personal life despite her international celebrity status. She has mentioned her love for painting and reading, likely influenced by her parents’ artistic backgrounds. Additionally, she shares her passion for travel, as evident from her unique wedding experience in Sweden. Although private, she occasionally expresses her love for nature through social media or interviews.

Tang Wei’s career resilience is evident in her journey, especially after facing a ban from Chinese media following her role in the controversial film Lust, Caution (2007). Despite the challenges, she successfully shifted her career focus to South Korea and international markets before making a triumphant return to Chinese cinema in 2010. Her marriage to Kim Tae-yong has also opened doors for her in Korean cinema while maintaining her presence in Chinese productions.