Harper’s Bazaar China (时尚芭莎) January 2022 issue
DIALOGUE WITH YANG MI
“Love is just one type of the experiences in life”
HB: In the past of year 2021, what was your tremendous experience? Did you feel any changes?
YM: No changes at all. Every year is the same, which is busy but not fully occupied.
• • •
HB: The current airing drama is 《Novoland: Pearl Eclipse》 (斛珠夫人), how would you comment on your character?
YM: The reason why I chose to play this character was because I saw the growth on her – from being a boyish girl to a woman holding great responsibilities on her shoulders. Besides that, another reason was that I didn’t have any films with characters who love and in relationship with someone as difficult as her. Either for the characters I played before or in my real life, I was always passive whereby I won’t take the initiative to court someone. It is nearly impossible to be happened in my life. Therefore, this character gave me a feeling of freshness like how does it feel to try and take the initiative in courting some, and experience a hard love.
• • •
HB: Do you still look forward to love in your life?
YM: Yes, I’m always looking forward it but I never put much effort for it. So, am I anticipating it for nothing? Besides, I always think that if the love is obtained through deliberate effort and is not coming naturally, it will no longer be pure anymore. Also, love is not as important as you think, it is just one type of the experiences in your life.
• • •
HB: Would you care a lot on the results of your films? How do you digest the critiques faced?
YM: Isn’t that I have been talking about this since my debut? Every time when I am filming, I would only think of a thing – which is living in the moment/present, film the scene well, and not to predict a prefect and good outcome as it is none of my business.
“I have no stress”
HB: Do you think that match the theory of having less fortune since you always have dramas/movies to be filmed?
YM: I never thought that I am a lucky person. I’m just hardworking. You may disagree with the opinion but it doesn’t mean that I didn’t work hard. The hard work that is intentionally shown to people is unreal.
HB: Today, when coming for the interview session, I actually bring along a great curiosity with me whereby I wonder if it is true that Yang Mi’s heart is built by iron walls, and has a systematic and tight system. It seems like you will never get influenced or affected no matter how people judge or think about you.
YM: I never thought that I am very strong. I definitely will feel defeated too but the feeling of defeated is coming from myself whereby I would think that “Oh, I didn’t do this thing well, I should have done it better” but not from people’s voices and opinions. The later one is not important to me. Of course I would have times when I am upset and weak. Many years ago, didn’t I always share those ‘young girls’ thoughts on Weibo too. Just that now I need to be more mindful for my words and actions, so I don’t share them anymore. As a public figure, I have social attributes, or you can understand it as a delivery channel. The messages that you delivery or spread might affect and influence many people. But at the same time, I still need to be myself, I can’t change myself just for the people’s sake. I also hope that people will not ignore their own life just because of ‘chasing stars’ (being a fangirl/fanboy). Everyone should live for their own sake and focus on themselves.
HB: If there is a talent or superpower called “I don’t care”, it is definitely amazing but I just doubt on its existence. Is it just a superficial phenomenon, is it true that you really will not feel the pressure coming from external factors?
YM: I really don’t have, you can’t keep leading me to admit the existence of stress. I will just repeat once again, no, I don’t have stress. I definitely do have emotions and attitudes since I am a human too. However, from its birth, expansion to fading, it is only related to and because of “me”, and it is nobody’s business. You shouldn’t assume that the others can’t do it as you yourself can’t make it. When I became the judge of a competition show, I also mentioned the similar point of view. The youngsters in the present are not very simple, the things they feel or experience from their deepest heart is definitely complicated and subtle, but they do not have to mention or explain it to anyone. So, I will not simply judge someone, and I also don’t want to be judged and attached with some labels by the people.
HB: Talking about variety shows, I remember that after 《U Can U Bibi》 (奇葩说) was broadcasted, there were many comments saying that Yang Mi is very sophisticated.
YM: Nah, they are really flattering me, I am very clumsy, don’t overly praise me. In my daily life, I have a memory like a goldfish, my attention always only fall on the present things. I have forgotten many of my experiences, or have a blur impression on them like if I was happy or upset. But if you asked me why, sorry, I don’t remember.
HB: So, can I understand it as a talent of forgetting? For example right now, what is the thing that you think might make you feel unhappy?
YM: There are, such as waking up too early, hungry. Then, I will immediately feel down. For real.
HB: Do you think that match the theory of having less fortune since you always have dramas/movies to be filmed?
YM: I never thought that I am a lucky person. I’m just hardworking. You may disagree with the opinion but it doesn’t mean that I didn’t work hard. The hard work that is intentionally shown to people is unreal.
• • •
YM: I never thought that I am very strong. I definitely will feel defeated too but the feeling of defeated is coming from myself whereby I would think that “Oh, I didn’t do this thing well, I should have done it better” but not from people’s voices and opinions. The later one is not important to me. Of course I would have times when I am upset and weak. Many years ago, didn’t I always share those ‘young girls’ thoughts on Weibo too. Just that now I need to be more mindful for my words and actions, so I don’t share them anymore. As a public figure, I have social attributes, or you can understand it as a delivery channel. The messages that you delivery or spread might affect and influence many people. But at the same time, I still need to be myself, I can’t change myself just for the people’s sake. I also hope that people will not ignore their own life just because of ‘chasing stars’ (being a fangirl/fanboy). Everyone should live for their own sake and focus on themselves.
• • •
HB: If there is a talent or superpower called “I don’t care”, it is definitely amazing but I just doubt on its existence. Is it just a superficial phenomenon, is it true that you really will not feel the pressure coming from external factors?
YM: I really don’t have, you can’t keep leading me to admit the existence of stress. I will just repeat once again, no, I don’t have stress. I definitely do have emotions and attitudes since I am a human too. However, from its birth, expansion to fading, it is only related to and because of “me”, and it is nobody’s business. You shouldn’t assume that the others can’t do it as you yourself can’t make it. When I became the judge of a competition show, I also mentioned the similar point of view. The youngsters in the present are not very simple, the things they feel or experience from their deepest heart is definitely complicated and subtle, but they do not have to mention or explain it to anyone. So, I will not simply judge someone, and I also don’t want to be judged and attached with some labels by the people.
• • •
YM: Nah, they are really flattering me, I am very clumsy, don’t overly praise me. In my daily life, I have a memory like a goldfish, my attention always only fall on the present things. I have forgotten many of my experiences, or have a blur impression on them like if I was happy or upset. But if you asked me why, sorry, I don’t remember.
• • •
YM: There are, such as waking up too early, hungry. Then, I will immediately feel down. For real.
“Strolling is the meaning of life”
HB: Will you think of some deep questions?
YM: Very less. Of course, you may ask me, I will tell you about my feelings at that time.
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YM: Waking up too early, hungry, cannot go outdoors. These are all my darkest moments.
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YM: (Heard wrong) Who broke up (失恋 shī liàn)? ––– Oh, I thought who would compete break up (比失恋 bǐ shī liàn), haha. (HB: In other words, do you notice the phenomenon of “admiring strong people” (慕强) around your surrounding?) As a weak person, I was trampled before. If you think I match the definition of a strong person, then I will never trample on others.
• • •
YM: I did think of it not long ago. I imagined if I could select my own age of death, then it would be 60 years old. (HB: Why? Because no longer beautiful?) Beautiful appearance is never under my consideration, and I wouldn’t mind much anymore when I come to that age. I just imitate or imagine myself at that time, I think it’s enough for me to live wonderfully, so I can say goodbye to the world without any regrets.
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YM: I think I am very shallow, I wish I can be cuter.
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HB: I think you are using a shallow appearance to fight against the world.
YM: Don’t overly praise me. Whom do I fight against? No. I do not have much expectation to this world, I always think that it is a miracle to be able to stay alive. So, if I can be happy for a day, then let me be happy for a day. Happiness is very shallow/simple but it is very useful.
• • •
YM: Strolling, for real. Like, after work, if the day is still bright, I would go strolling alone, walk into the grocery shop and buy a can of beer to drink. Then, maybe I will find an empty place, sit on the bench, disguise properly to observe the passer-by. Sometimes I can even watch a couple fighting. It’s really interesting and I feel very happy. Strolling is the meaning of life at these times.
• • •
YM: Are you trying to set a trap for my answers and attach a label on me? I reject! I am just describing the strolling situation. How to live happily, it’s fine if it is not deep enough because this is the chapter in my life. Everyone’s answer sheet will be different, so there’s no way to cheat and plagiarise.