When Faye Wong's ex-husband, actor and businessman Li Yapeng, resorted to begging

In early 2024, C-Entertainment was gushing about celebrity couple Faye Wong and Nicholas Tse, celebrating their ten-year relationship after previously being separated. However, for Wong's ex-husband, Li Yapeng, not all is well: he even had to turn to online begging.

Li Yapeng is a former Chinese actor who was best known for his work in ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’ back in 2003.

Image: CCTV

Born on September 27, 1971, in China’s Xinjiang province, Li Yapeng graduated from the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing in performance arts, reports Baidu.

Image: CTS

Li Yapeng entered acting in 1992 with the film ‘The Song of Youth’. Sohu reports that he only rose to prominence in 1997, when he starred in the TV drama series ‘Beijing-Hong Kong Love Line’, which shot Li Yapeng to mainstream fame.

Sohu reports that Li Yapeng would later work on a TV adaptation of Chinese fantasy novelist Jin Yong by chance in 2000, when he was chosen to replace actor Shao Bing for the role of Linghu Chong in ‘Laughing in the Wind’.

Image: CTS

Li Yapeng’s role as Linghu Chong was a hit with Chinese audiences, as he became ranked first in the list of CCTV’s Top Ten Actors in that same year!

Li Yapeng would go on to act in another TV adaptation of Jin Yong’s novel in ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’, playing the main character Guo Jing, in 2001.

Image: CTS

Li Yapeng’s work as Guo Jing was one that struck gold. Not only was he starring alongside one of China’s biggest actresses, Zhou Xun, who played Huang Rong, but his performance as Guo Jing too won praise from Jin Yong himself, reports Sina.

Some of Li Yapeng’s works include ‘The Last Concubine’, ‘Best in the World’, and ‘The Age of Innocence’.

Image: Beijing Century Spring Media

Li Yapeng’s last work before retiring from the acting scene was in the romance film ‘Eternal Moment’. The reason given for his retirement from the industry was to focus on his businesses and charity work, reports Sina.

Image: Beijing Century Spring Media

In his personal life, Li Yapeng was married to Cantopop superstar Faye Wong in 2005.

The two have a daughter, Li Yan, who was born with a cleft lip and was the reason for the two of them founding the charity ‘Smile Angel Foundation’ in 2006, supporting fellow Chinese children who were also born with a cleft lip, reports Xinhua News.

Li Yapeng and Faye Wong later divorced in 2013 after eight years together, reports the South China Morning Post. He remarried in 2022 to Chinese actress and model, Haiha Jinxi, and the two have a daughter.

Image: Weibo

Unfortunately, life for Li Yapeng has become full of financial struggle now. South China Morning Post reports that the ex-actor has been deep in debt since a failed tourism investment in 2012.

According to the South China Morning Post, Taihe Youlian Investment sued Li Yapeng and his brother after they failed to repay the firm's 40 million yuan investment.

Image: Weibo

Jiemian News reports that Li Yapeng had managed to reach an agreement with Taihe Youlian Investment in April 2023 that would allow him to repay his debts. However, as a result, the ex-actor’s lifestyle has undergone a drastic change.

Image: Weibo

Rather than of his own volition, 8days reports that Li Yapeng had been ordered by the Chinese courts to severely restrict his spending. For instance, he had been effectively banned from flying home on a pre-bought first class ticket to Beijing after facing a court hearing in Guangxi, and had been forced to ride a train home.

Image: Weibo

A year after the court order, Li Yapeng's life was still significantly impacted by the need to repay his debt. According to the South China Morning Post, he live-streamed and shared information about his current living situation with netizens.

Image: Weibo

According to 8days, Li Yapeng was begging for public donations to help with his financial situation, as he was not living solely on takeout and could not afford to eat a proper meal even during Chinese New Year, which is traditionally a time for sharing a feast with family.

Image: Weibo

Li Yapeng's current situation differs significantly from his former life as one of China's most beloved actors. He now relies on live streaming to sell items, is heavily in debt, and lives a frugal lifestyle.

Image: Weibo

Although it appears that he is far from being able to repay his debts at this time, 8days reports that Li Yapeng still has the support of many netizens who have not only been cheering him on but also lending a helping (financial) hand through his streams.

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