Remembering He Qing, the Timeless Beauty Who Defined Classical Chinese Drama
News has quietly settled in, but it carries a deep sense of loss. Renowned Chinese actress He Qing passed away peacefully in Beijing on December 13, at the age of 61. According to a notice released by her family, her farewell ceremony is scheduled for the morning of December 15 at the Changping Funeral Home in Beijing. The announcement has since stirred heartfelt tributes across social media and within the entertainment industry, as many come to terms with the passing of a woman whose presence shaped an era of classical television drama.
The news was confirmed by film commentator Yu Yong, who shared a black-and-white portrait of He Qing online with a simple message wishing her peace beyond pain. It was revealed that after falling ill, she had chosen to remain low-key, hoping audiences would remember her not for sickness or struggle, but for the grace and beauty she brought to the screen. That wish seems to have been honored, as memories of her most iconic roles now dominate public conversation.
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He Qing held a rare and almost mythical place in Chinese television history. She remains the only actress to have appeared in all four of China’s literary masterpieces adapted for television. In Dream of the Red Chamber, she portrayed Qin Keqing, a character known for embodying both elegance and tragedy. In Water Margin, she played Li Shishi, a woman caught between personal fate and national responsibility. Her portrayal of Xiao Qiao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms was remembered for its quiet charm and emotional depth, while her appearance in Journey to the West added a lively and gentle touch that audiences still recall fondly. With each role, a classical ideal of beauty and restraint was brought to life.
Beyond these legendary works, her career was marked by range and evolution. In the early 1990s, she gained widespread popularity as Hua Youlin in Green Grass by the River, presenting a modern, independent female image that resonated strongly at the time. Later roles saw her break away from traditional casting, including a bold performance as a mixed Chinese-Portuguese character in The Story of Macau. In her later years, she continued to challenge herself, portraying complex figures in historical dramas and even taking on antagonist roles with surprising warmth and intensity.
Born in January 1964 in Jiangshan, Zhejiang Province, and trained at the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Troupe, He Qing was often referred to by the media as “the number one classical beauty.” Yet what truly endured was not just her appearance, but the quiet dedication and artistic integrity that defined her work. As the curtain falls on her life, what remains is a legacy of unforgettable characters and a timeless elegance that will continue to live on in the hearts of viewers.
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