Following the resounding success of Journey to the West in 1986, director Yang Jie released the second part of the film in 2000. This installment marked the conclusion of the series for Yang, but it also opened the door for many actors, including the renowned actress Kim Xiaoxiao, who played the iconic role of Princess Iron Fan – one of the most enchanting princesses in Journey to the West and a significant figure in Chinese pop culture.
Kim Xiaoxiao: The Uncasted Star of Journey to the West
Born in 1975 into a prestigious family, Kim Xiaoxiao was raised to become a dance instructor at a university in Shenzhen. From a young age, her education was rigorous, resulting in excellent academic performance. Due to her natural talent for dancing, she began ballet training at the age of 11. By 17, she was admitted to the Beijing Dance Academy, thanks to her remarkable talent and cultural understanding. However, a year later, she realized her greatest aspiration was to become a film star rather than a dancer. Thus, she left the academy and enrolled in the acting department of the Beijing Film Academy.
Kim Xiaoxiao possesses extraordinary beauty
With her stunning looks and sophisticated demeanor, Kim quickly became a popular figure at school, not just a crush among male students but also a sought-after model for various advertising campaigns. In 1998, she was approached by director Yang Jie to play two roles in Journey to the West Part 2: Princess Iron Fan and her maid. She obtained the role without having to go through casting. Sina wrote about her performance: “Her beautiful and charming face is complemented by a captivating aura that draws viewers’ attention, making it hard to look away from Kim Xiaoxiao when she appears on screen.”
After gaining fame for her role as Princess Iron Fan, Kim Xiaoxiao continued to receive numerous offers for historical dramas, often being cast as a princess. Notable projects include The Legend of the Condor Heroes, The Hope, The New Legend of the Condor Heroes, The Legend of the White Snake, The Legend of the Dragon, and other works.
Kim Xiaoxiao is praised as one of the most beautiful princesses in Journey to the West directed by Yang Jie
Kim Xiaoxiao makes a strong impression on audiences when playing Princess Iron Fan in Journey to the West
“My acting career is too fascinating, it revolves around two words: princess, which cannot be separated. But I have to admit that I enjoy embodying the character of a princess and dedicate a significant amount of time to study, creating different interpretations for this role. I often find myself unable to portray poor rural roles because Kim Xiaoxiao’s essence is too glamorous, too confident,” Kim Xiaoxiao shared in a television interview. This statement from her sparked many controversies, as it was perceived as being rather arrogant.
Despite her stunning beauty and a foundation in acting, Kim Xiaoxiao couldn’t quite break through to become an A-list star. She also dabbled in singing, hosting, and modeling but did not achieve notable success. After her rise to fame, the name Kim Xiaoxiao became frequently associated with scandals.
Scandal Involving Her Boyfriend
The titular character of The Legend of the Gods, Ngô Khải Hoa, was Kim Xiaoxiao’s first love, which also turned out to be a painful relationship, leading to much media scrutiny that tarnished her name.
The two met while participating in a television program together. The lead actor of The Legend of the Gods pursued “Princess Iron Fan” and quickly became a couple. However, their relationship was not well-received by the audience, as the lead actor’s fame was overshadowed by rumors of his ongoing marriage with a wealthy Thai heiress. Despite this, Kim Xiaoxiao seemed to be enamored and thrilled to be in love. During her birthday party, Ngô Khải Hoa even proposed. He also brought her home to meet his parents. Khải Hoa publicly stated, “As long as Kim Xiaoxiao stops working at her current job, I will marry her immediately.”
Kim Xiaoxiao and Ngô Khải Hoa are rumored to be getting married
However, this relationship only lasted less than three years. Ngô Khải Hoa was the one to initiate the breakup and mentioned to the media that his relationship with Kim Xiaoxiao was solely due to responsibilities, and she could not remain as his girlfriend indefinitely. Xiaoxiao had to remain silent for a whole year after the breakup due to the trauma. Following their separation, the romance faded due to Xiaoxiao’s temperament. She often felt “know-it-all,” and would only listen to explanations without adding to the feelings of her boyfriend.
About a year after the breakup, Ngô Khải Hoa found a new love but still landed roles in the films that Kim Xiaoxiao had starred in first. During this time, the male lead faced serious career setbacks due to a scandal involving infidelity. He was caught in a bar trying to get three girls to come back to his hotel. Despite being under pressure, he still kept his beautiful girlfriend, saying: “Just bring a girl to the room, what’s the big deal?” This scene was captured by a reporter and spread across the news the next morning, leading to his girlfriend being lost forever.
Not long after, a paparazzi revealed that Ngô Khải Hoa’s infidelity was due to Kim Xiaoxiao’s jealousy. It was also reported that Xiaoxiao was the one who encouraged him to “take advantage of the opportunity to get ahead.”
Kim Xiaoxiao seemed unaware of the rumors circulating about her. She and that blogger consistently made headlines for a while. Before the photos could be leaked, the actress became a focal point in the media for allegedly having a secret relationship with actor Trương Quốc Lập (the lead actor from The Legend of the Gods) and was accused of being a “scandalous diva.” It was rumored that Trương Quốc Lập did not want to make a big deal of it as they wished to maintain their reputation.
In 2010, Kim Xiaoxiao continued to face scandals after losing her phone. On social media, rumors spread about the contents of her phone being leaked, with many accusations surrounding her personal life: “Kim is dirty; her husband is at home; he has been missing for a long time. He really likes her and wants to be with her during their private moments. Hopefully, she can be forgiven. As for the price, no matter how much her husband accepts, it’s not a big deal.”
Xiaoxiao clarified: “I received many messages like that, but the media often exaggerates. This often doesn’t just apply to me; I know what it’s about, so I always say no.” Despite this, she faced suspicion of being a high-class escort, often associating with wealthy men.
Becoming the Rich Man’s Wife
By the end of 2012, Kim Xiaoxiao identified herself as “an older girl,” and participated in a television program with her father, hoping to find love. In this show, Xiaoxiao’s father attempted to match her with actor Tiến Phong, but he always declined. A few months later, viewers were shocked to discover that Kim Xiaoxiao was pregnant with the rich man Vu Dong, CEO of Bona Film Group.
Later, the public learned that her participation in the show with Tiến Phong in 2012 was merely a ploy to gain attention, and Vu Dong had to break up with his wife, who was in the process of fighting for custody and assets, and thus Kim Xiaoxiao became the subject of much public scrutiny.
Vu Dong was also not without fame. He was once poor but became wealthy and continuously associated with various celebrities in the showbiz world. Many believed that Kim Xiaoxiao “caught” him when he was already entangled with other stars.
Husband Vu Dong, Kim Xiaoxiao
Kim Xiaoxiao still looks beautiful, stylish at nearly 50
Despite being in the spotlight, Kim Xiaoxiao continues to thrive as a wealthy woman, receiving admiration from many as she becomes the wife of Vu Dong. They have two children together. Vu Dong, despite being married, continuously engages in extramarital affairs, yet Xiaoxiao always tries to maintain a good image in front of the media. She appears in lavish outfits, often showcasing her style, and no matter how Vu Dong’s reputation fluctuates, she remains the proud wife of Vu.
In August, the media buzzed with news about Vu Dong being caught in a hotel in Hainan (China) with an actress. That same day, Kim Xiaoxiao responded to the media: “People shouldn’t care about gossip; if they have time, they should go watch a movie.”
At nearly 50, Kim Xiaoxiao still maintains her beauty and elegance. Despite her fame, she always stays humble as she has a prestigious family alongside her husband, two healthy children, and a life that many people dream of.
