TANG Wei
Excellence in Asian Cinema Award
The 18th Asian Film Awards proudly announces this year’s recipient of the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award — acclaimed Chinese actress TANG Wei. Recognised for her remarkable achievements and lasting contribution to Asian cinema, the esteemed actress will attend the awards ceremony on March 16 at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District to accept this prestigious honour.
TANG Wei shared her excitement, stating, “I am truly grateful to the Asian Film Awards for recognising my work. Hong Kong has always been special to me, and I’m thrilled to return for this honour. I want to take this opportunity to thank every director and collaborator I’ve worked with, and most importantly, the audiences whose support made this possible.”
Tang: Fearless in Acting, Open to Future HK Collaborations
TANG is a well-deserving recipient of the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award. Throughout her career, she has embraced diverse roles, from the reserved yet resilient XIAO Hong in The Golden Era to the enigmatic SONG Rui-lai in Decision to Leave, leaving a deep impact on audiences. When asked about future plans, she shared that, for now, she plans to continue focusing on acting. She explained, “Every new role is an opportunity for exploration and growth, and I look forward to encountering new characters. What matters most to me is working with interesting people to create meaningful films.”
Having lived in Hong Kong and worked on numerous Hong Kong productions, TANG is returning to the city to attend the ceremony and reconnect with fans after a year. Looking back on her visit last year, saying with a smile, “Of course, I miss it! I hope to come back and work in Hong Kong so I can ‘improve’ my Cantonese. I’d be so happy if I had the chance to work on a Hong Kong film!” She acknowledged that her Cantonese still needs improvement while also expressing her deep affection for the city and excitement about future opportunities in Hong Kong’s film industry.
When asked whether she plans to return to Hong Kong cinema, she responded with a laugh, “That’s a question for the directors!” She added, “I’ll be waiting for Hong Kong directors to come find me for more projects!”—showing her enthusiasm for future collaborations.
Introduction of TANG Wei: From Chinese Cinema to International Acclaim
TANG debuted in 2004 with Policewoman Swallow and made history with the Korean film Late Autumn in 2010, becoming the first foreign actress to win Best Actress at the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards. She went on to earn multiple Best Actress honours, including the Korean Association of Film Critics Award and the Busan Film Critics Association Award, further establishing her prominence in both the Korean and Chinese film industries.
Known for her versatility, TANG has starred in a range of classics, from romance to historical biopics and international productions. In 2013, she starred in Finding Mr. Right, a heartfelt love story that captivated audiences and became a benchmark for Chinese romantic films at the box office. The following year, she portrayed the legendary writer XIAO Hong in The Golden Era directed Ann HUI, earning nominations for Best Actress at both the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Golden Horse Awards. Beyond Chinese cinema, She later expanded into Hollywood, co-starring with Chris HEMSWORTH in Michael MANN’s Blackhat, taking on a completely new role.
In recent years, TANG has continued to demonstrate her range across various genres, from the fantasy-comedy Monster Hunt to the Cannes Film Festival-selected The Last Night on Earth. In 2021, she worked with renowned Korean director PARK Chan-wook on the suspenseful romance Decision to Leave, delivering a nuanced performance that earned her multiple Best Actress accolades, including the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards and the Asian Film Awards. In 2024, she starred in the Korean sci-fi romance Dreams and won the Popularity Award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, reaffirming her place as one of the industry’s most beloved actresses.