Three Kingdoms (1994) is one of China’s four great classical novels adapted into a TV series. The project took four years to produce, with a total budget of 170 million yuan (over 583 billion VND), becoming a classic that resonated across many Asian countries, including Vietnam.
The series was praised for successfully capturing the spirit of the novel while bringing a historical era to life. Most of the cast were accomplished actors in the entertainment industry. After 32 years, their lives have changed dramatically, each following their own path.
Tang Guoqiang as Zhuge Liang
Tang Guoqiang’s portrayal of Zhuge Liang is considered the most successful version on television. He won numerous major awards for his iconic role in Three Kingdoms. After this classic role, he was trusted with many other important parts, including Emperor Yongzheng, Mao Zedong, and Qin Shi Huang.
Besides acting, Tang is also a calligraphy artist, with many works exhibited both domestically and internationally. Despite a flourishing career, his personal life faced turmoil, including two marriages, with his first wife’s suicide and his second wife labeled a homewrecker.
Now in his 70s, he enjoys a comfortable life with his second wife, Zhang Li. They have a son together. Tang no longer prioritizes his career as before, occasionally accepting film roles, participating in game shows, and serving as a judge on cultural programs.
Sun Yanjun as Liu Bei
Sun Yanjun’s Liu Bei is a legendary figure in Chinese cinema. Born in 1952 into a military family, he had a difficult childhood after losing his parents early. He began acting in 1971 and struggled to land roles.
Filming Three Kingdoms was a tough period, with low pay despite the large budget. Once, hungry and desperate, he and co-stars Lu Shuming (Guan Yu) and Li Jingfei (Zhang Fei) risked stealing corn from a village and were caught.
After this classic, Sun Yanjun became known for roles in Sun Wu, Assassination of Wang Jingwei, The Golden Key, among others.
Sun Yanjun has received multiple acting awards from China’s Ministry of Culture. Since 2000, he has served as principal of the ATV Guangdong Performing Arts Academy, a collaboration with Hong Kong’s ATV station.
He keeps his personal life private but is known to be married to Chen Xiaohu, a woman outside the entertainment industry.
Bao Guoan as Cao Cao
Bao Guoan made a deep impression with his outstanding portrayal of Cao Cao. Born in 1964 in Tianjin, he began acting at 13 and has had a decades-long career.
This role earned him Best Actor awards at the 1995 Golden Eagle Awards and the Feitian Awards. He later starred in major roles inspired by Cao Cao’s success, such as in Brothers of Shandong, Wu Zetian, and The Dawn of Prosperity.
According to Sina, in 2016 after filming Shaolin Temple Legend: Heroes of the East, he retired due to age and health concerns.
Bao Guoan has two sons. His wife, long retired, has supported him as his assistant for years, helping select scripts and caring for him on set.
Li Jingfei as Zhang Fei
Li Jingfei, born in 1957 in Hubei Province, mainly worked in theater and appeared in about 10 films. His most memorable role was Zhang Fei in Three Kingdoms (1994).
His Zhang Fei was praised for perfectly capturing the character’s loyalty, heroic spirit, and rebellious nature. Originally an athlete, Li was cast for his tall, strong physique.
However, his life was the most tragic among the cast. In middle age, he suffered a brain hemorrhage and became wheelchair-bound. He lived in isolation, battling illness and financial hardship for over half his life.
According to Sohu, his family struggled financially and relied on help from friends and colleagues. Co-star Lu Shuming (Guan Yu) helped arrange for him to live in a nursing home in Hebei for better care.
Sina added that Li’s finances were poor. After his stroke, his family couldn’t afford treatment, so he was placed in a nursing home.
Li Jingfei passed away in November 2022 at age 65 after years of illness.
Chen Hong as Diao Chan
In Three Kingdoms (1994), Chen Hong’s screen time was limited but she left a strong impression with her ethereal beauty and solid acting. In 2003, she reprised the role of Diao Chan in the TV series Lu Bu and Diao Chan.
Born in 1968 in Jiangxi, China, Chen graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy and entered entertainment at 17. In her youth, her beauty earned her titles like “China’s Most Beautiful Actress,” “The Most Beautiful Diao Chan on Screen,” and “A Treasure of Historical Dramas.”
Now 58, Chen Hong has stepped away from acting to focus on family and support her husband, director Chen Kaige. Their relationship once sparked media controversy when she was rumored to be a third party, as Chen Kaige was living with another woman at the time. Chen Hong denied this, saying Chen Kaige worked hard to win her over.
Today, they live happily with their two sons, one of whom, Chen Feiyu, followed his mother into acting.