Yi Yangqianxi (p=Yì Yángqiānxǐ; born 28 November 2000), also known as Jackson Yee, is a Chinese actor, singer, and member of the boy band boygroup TFBoys. After gaining fame as a member of the boy group TFBoys, his breakthrough performance in Better Days (2019) earned him multiple Best New Actor awards, including the Hong Kong Film Awards, the Hundred Flowers Awards, and the Asian Film Awards. He subsequently starred in A Little Red Flower (2020), Nice View (2022), Full River Red (2023), Big World (2024) and Resurrection (2025). Yee is the first post-2000 Chinese actor to surpass RMB20 billion in cumulative box office earnings and the first to win the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actor.
Yee ranked 8th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2019, and 1st in 2020 and 2021.
In March 2012, Yee participated in Hunan TV's reality talent show Up Young and entered the top 100. Despite being eliminated, he attracted the attention of TF Entertainment and was invited to audition with the company. Prior to debuting with TFBoys, Yee released his first solo single Dream Skyscraper. He also acted in several short films and appeared in the music video for Father (2013), a song by The Voice of China contestant Zhang Hexuan.
In July 2016, he starred in the xianxia television series, Noble Aspirations, playing a fox demon. In November, he released his second solo single "You Say". The single was produced by music producer Lee Wei Song and written by Leehom Wang. The same month, he joined the cast of the variety show Let Go of My Baby.
In September 2017, it was announced that Yee has set up his own independent studio for his solo activities. In November, Yee released his first English language single, titled Nothing to Lose, produced by Harvey Mason Jr., while Yee participated in the lyrics writing. Five days later, he released another single, titled Unpredictable, produced by David Gamson and with lyrics written by Dave Gibson.
In 2018, Yee was confirmed to join the dance-oriented variety show Street Dance of China as a captain. Yee was invited to attend the 60th Grammy Award Ceremony on 28 January 2018, held in New York as the Music Ambassador of Radio 101, a China Music Vision guest. He was also the youngest Chinese musician ever to be officially invited to the ceremony. The same month, Yee was named as one of the top 10 influential charity stars by Sina Corporation. Later in the year, it was announced that he will star in the fantasy animated film . He was invited to perform at the closing ceremony of 2018 Asian Games to promote the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games. This year, he was accepted into Beijing's prestigious Central Academy of Drama after placing first and achieving the highest score for both his college entrance examination and live audition.
In 2019, Yee starred in the film Better Days, adapted from a Chinese novel In His Youth, In Her Beauty. His performance earned him the Best New Performer Award at the 39th Hong Kong Film Awards. The same year, he starred in the historical mystery drama The Longest Day in Chang'an. On 22 December 2019, he held his first solo concert, Su Er in Shanghai, China.
In 2020, Yee starred in period action drama Forward Forever. In November 2020, he released Backseat Theater, a cover album. He recreated his imaginary "backseat concert" based on his numerous journey of going back and forth between North 2nd Ring Road and Changping when he was small. His second film, A Little Red Flower, was released in the theaters on 31 December 2020.
In 2021, Yee's first war film, The Battle at Lake Changjin, was released in the cinemas on 30 September 2021, and it became the highest-grossing film of all time in China. He was featured in the short film, A Date with Snow and Ice, that promotes Beijing Winter Olympic Torch Relay with Eileen Gu. The next year, Yee starred in a sequel to the film, The Battle at Lake Changjin II, was released on 1 February 2022.
In January 2023, Yee starred in the film Full River Red, directed by Zhang Yimou. The film gained a box office of 4.5 billion RMB, becoming one of the highest-grossing film of all time in mainland China. On 14 April 2023, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and Shanghai joined together to unveil two brand new wax figures of Yee. He is also the first-ever millennial to have three different wax figures at Madame Tussauds. His first figure was unveiled in 2018.
In January 2024, Yee was elected as a member of the Chinese Film Association Council, making him the youngest among the 167 members. On 24 June 2024, Yee has been appointed as the first Olympic™️ Friend in the People's Republic of China and will be championing the Olympic Values and Paris 2024 in his homeland. Two days later, with 30 days left until the 2024 Paris Olympics, Yee spoke about the Olympic spirit in an International Olympic Committee promotional video.
In 2025, Yee starred in the art-house film Resurrection, which was selected for the main competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and awarded a Special Award. He became the first Chinese actor born after 2000 to surpass RMB20 billion in cumulative box office earnings and was named Best Actor by the China Film Director's Guild. On 15 November 2025, Yee won the Best Actor award at the 38th Golden Rooster Awards for his role in Big World, becoming the youngest actor and the first post-2000 actor to receive the honor. He sang the Mandarin version of the theme song, Together to the Mountains and Seas, for the 2025 National Games for Persons with Disabilities of China.
In September 2017, Yee called for preserving and protecting the historic sites, and to stop uncivilized actions on cultural relics and monuments. He was named ambassador of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation's Great Wall Charity Campaign Guardian of the Great Wall.
In November 2017, Yee was invited by the World Health Organization to Geneva as one of the four youth leaders from China, to give a speech a calling for the elimination of AIDS discrimination. Shortly after, he was awarded the title of WHO China Special Envoy For Health. As the special envoy for WHO in China, he naturally put an emphasis on healthy living, and also mentioned his support for the Children's Companion Program, a project that aims to help children in rural provinces whose parents have moved away to work in major cities. The same month, he collaborated with 16 other celebrities on the song "Embracing You", which serves as the theme song for 30th World AIDS Day.
At his birthday concert, held on 28 November 2017, Yee announced the establishment of the Jackson Yee Fund. Its first phase will help raise RMB1.5 million ($227,000) to support a charity program for the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation to help more than 12,000 rural, "left-behind" children, whose parents have moved to urban areas to earn a living with temporary jobs.
In 2019, Yee represented China at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum. Joined by nearly 1,000 other youth advocates in New York on 8 and 9 April, he met with government ministers and officials to advance the role of young people in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Using the phrase "Yi qi lai ba!", Yee launched a new collaboration with WHO China encouraging young people to join to choose active, healthy lifestyles.
On 9 November 2019, Yee was announced as the China Forest Fire Management Charity Ambassador to promote the awareness of forest fires - to prevent forest fires and protect our green homes.
In July 2021, Yee donated one million to Red Cross Society of China Zhengzhou Branch plus another one million to Han Hong Love Charity Foundation to relieve the damages done in 2021 Henan floods.
In respond to 2025 Tibet earthquake, Yee donated money to Han Hong Love Charity Foundation. In the same year, Yee lent his voice to United Nation Ocean Conference to promote World Oceans Day, calling on all sectors of society to pay attention to and protect our shared blue planet.
On 16 April 2021, Yee was promoted to Tiffany & Co.'s global ambassador as his endorsement of the brand at a regional level in China since his appointment June 2020 has "generated impressive levels of social media fan growth and consumer engagement that well exceeded our expectations," said CEO Alessandro Bogliolo. President Anthony Ledru mentioned in fall 2023 that the utilization of a digital Chinese Valentine's Day campaign with Yee had produced remarkable results as they looked for novel ways to draw in new audiences.
On 1 November 2022, Yee was appointed as the global ambassador of Jaeger-LeCoultre. "I greatly admire Jaeger-LeCoultre for its elegant and timeless style, rich heritage and constant quest for innovation," Yee said of his latest appointment. "I feel honored to work with the Maison and very much look forward to our new collaboration."
On 19 June 2024, Yee was selected as the global brand ambassador of Lindberg. He embodies the brand's spirit of "design, innovation, and personalization" through his versatility and eagerness to explore new creative realms.
On 20 August 2024, Yee was named the Golden Goose global brand ambassador. According to Silvio Campara, the CEO of Golden Goose, he is a true embodiment of creative energy and passion, aligning beautifully with the core values and authentic essence of the brand. The band appreciate his diverse approach to creativity and how it reflects the brand's identity.
In March 2021, Yee distanced himself with Adidas after the brand announced its decision to not use cotton sourced from the Xinjiang region where there were alleged human rights issues.
On 6 July 2022, Yee, a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, was announced as one of the candidates admitted to the National Theatre of China as part of its 2022 cohort of fresh graduates. The announcement of a celebrity securing a bianzhi—a stable job with lifetime benefits at a government or government-backed institution—sparked heated discussion online over alleged irregular recruitment practices, lack of transparency, and unfair acquisition of such coveted positions, particularly amid China’s dire job market at the time. On 16 July, the National Theatre of China issued a statement confirming that the recruitment process was conducted in accordance with established procedures and requirements. On 17 July, Yee announced his withdrawal from the position to quell the controversy.Nan, Chen (18 July 2022) "Celebrities face backlash over lifetime job offers." China Daily. (Retrieved 2 May 2023.)
Other ventures
Philanthropy and Advocacy
Endorsements
Fashion
Controversy
Discography
Filmography
Film
Cameo appearance Mandarin dub Mysterious man 2020 A Little Red Flower 送你一朵小红花 Wei Yihang 2021 Chinese Doctors 中国医生 Yang Xiaoyang Cameo The Battle at Lake Changjin 长津湖 Wu Wanli 2022 Nice View 奇迹·笨小孩 Jing Hao The Battle at Lake Changjin II 长津湖之水门桥 Wu Wanli Hero 世间有她 Li Zhaohua 2023 Full River Red 满江红 Sun Jun 2024 She's Got No Name 酱园弄 Song Big World 小小的我 Liu Chunhe 2025 Resurrection 狂野时代 Deliriant / Qiu Moyun / Mongrel / Jia Shengjun / Apollo 2026 Scare Out 惊蛰无声 Yan Di rowspan="3" The Forbidden Land 蛮荒禁地 Shen Xing Three Words 三个字 Daguang Penghu 澎湖海战 Kangxi Emperor
Television series
Cameo Xiao Qi Qu Yuan (young) Yi
Web series
Cameo
Variety show
Cast member The Inn 亲爱的·客栈 Guest 2018 Captain 2019 Ice Hockey Hero 大冰小将 Cast member Street Dance of China Season 2 这!就是街舞 2 Captain 2020 Welcome Back To Sound 朋友请听好 Cast member
Short film
Music videos
Father Almost Famous
Awards and nominations
2018 2019 GQ 2019 Men of the Year Top Ten Influential Figures 6th The Actors of China Award Ceremony Best Actor (Web series) The Longest Day in Chang'an 26th Huading Awards Best Actor Top Ten Favorite Actors Golden Bud - The Fourth Network Film And Television Festival Best Newcomer 8th China Student Television Festival Most Watched Actor Tencent Entertainment White Paper Film Actor of the Year Better Days Reputable Variety Artist of the Year Most Commercially Valuable Artist 2020 Weibo Awards Ceremony Hot Figure of the Year 26th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Actor Better Days 39th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor Best New Performer 28th Shanghai Film Critics Awards Best New Actor 27th Huading Awards Best Actor in a Motion Picture Best New Performer 35th Hundred Flowers Awards Best Newcomer 14th Asian Film Awards Best Newcomer 7th The Actors of China Award Ceremony Best Actor (Web series) 17th Guangzhou College Student Film Festival Most Popular Actor Better Days 33rd Golden Rooster Awards Best Actor 2021 28th Huading Awards Global Best Young Actor/Actress Sina Film & TV Awards Actor Of the Year 30th Huading Awards Best Actor A Little Red Flower Weibo Movie Awards Ceremony Popular Actor of The Year 34th Golden Rooster Awards Best Actor 2022 18th Guangzhou College Student Film Festival Most Popular Actor 36th Hundred Flowers Awards Best Actor Nice View Best Supporting Actor Chinese Doctors 35th Golden Rooster Awards Best Actor Nice View 14th Macau International Movie Festival Best Actor 1st Aollywood Five Continents International Film Festival 2023 19th Huabiao Awards Outstanding Actor 18th Changchun Film Festival Best Actor Full River Red 1st Golden Panda Awards Best Actor In A Leading Role, Film Category Nice View 2024 5th Tencent Music Entertainment Awards 2024 TMEA Annual Physical Album Liu Yanfen 37th Hundred Flowers Awards Best Actor Full River Red 2025 16th China Film Directors' Night Best Actor Big World 38th Golden Rooster Awards Best Actor
Forbes
2019 Forbes China Celebrity List 8th 2020 Forbes China Celebrity List 1st 2nd 2021 Forbes China Celebrity List 1st
Notes
External links
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