Jackson Yee
A Chinese performer who transformed from a teen idol into a serious, award-winning actor, captivating a generation with his intense screen presence.
Born 2000 (age 26)·Chinese actor and singer·Birthday: November 28·Generation Z
Biography
Jackson Yee, born Yi Yangqianxi, grew up in the white-hot glare of Chinese pop stardom as a member of the monumental boy band TFBoys. While his youthful fame was immense, his deliberate pivot to acting revealed a startling depth. The turning point was 2019's 'Better Days,' a hard-hitting drama about school bullying, where his raw, restrained performance shattered his idol image and swept major newcomer awards. He didn't look back, choosing challenging roles in films like the cancer-themed 'A Little Red Flower' and the historical mystery 'Full River Red.' Yee works with a quiet, almost monastic focus, building a filmography that balances commercial blockbusters with artistic ambition. His 2024 Golden Rooster Award for Best Actor for 'Big World' cemented his status as a central figure in China's new cinematic wave, a star who earned his credibility the hard way.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Jackson was born in 2000, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jackson Was Born
The biggest hits of 2000
#1 Movie
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Best Picture
Gladiator
#1 TV Show
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Jackson's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2000Born
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2005Started school
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2013Became a teenager
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Could drive
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2018Could vote
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2021Turned 21
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 26 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Big World' (2024).
- Earned widespread critical acclaim and multiple Best New Actor awards for his breakthrough role in 'Better Days' (2019).
- Starred in the major box office successes 'Full River Red' (2023) and 'Nice View' (2022).
- Rose to initial fame as a member of the massively popular Chinese boy band TFBoys.
Did You Know?
He is a trained Latin dancer and won dance competitions as a child.
He scored the highest nationally in the performance category for his entrance exam to the Beijing Film Academy.
He served as a UN Environment Programme National Goodwill Ambassador for China.
“An actor must be a blank piece of paper for the audience to write on.”
