Hong Kong actress Li Huayue was once popular on the streets in the 1990s and was known as the "third-class queen". In that conservative era, she dared to be "meticulous" in her film and television works, breaking the taboo in the Hong Kong film and television industry. In 1990, Li Huayue starred in "Liao Zhai", a restricted film containing large-scale bed scenes, which caused an uproar in Hong Kong upon its release. Since then, she has been nicknamed the "third-level queen" and has become a new favorite in the film industry.
The "third-level queen" was born
After Li Huayue starred in "Liao Zhai", it immediately caused an uproar in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. For a time, she starred in a number of large-scale restricted movies, such as "When the Rose Withered", etc., and she was called the "third-level queen" of the year. Without exception, these works contained a large number of adult plots and dramas, which were unprecedented in Hong Kong at that time. Li Huayue is justified in this, and she frankly admits that she just wants to gain attention and fame in this way.
"Not showing or being red" has indeed become a magic weapon for Li Huayue's career to take off. Through the above works, she became an instant hit, from an obscure small role to a household name "third-level queen". In just a few years, she has made more than a dozen restricted films, becoming the most famous representative of the genre.
Being scolded and praised She never cared
Li Huayue's approach is naturally controversial. Some people see her as a "bad example" of "ruining Hong Kong films", believing that she is simply unscrupulous for fame and fortune. But some people applauded her courage and boldness, believing that she was a new blood to challenge the traditional bottom line in that conservative era. However, Li Huayue doesn't seem to pay much attention to all kinds of comments from the outside world. In her own opinion, making this kind of restrictive film is a completely "new attempt" and is entirely based on economic considerations. She once publicly said: "I made this kind of drama just to make money, and I didn't hurt anyone."
Besides, I grew up in the U.S. and was very open to things like that. It can be seen that living in the United States for a long time has indeed allowed her to develop a relatively Westernized values and lifestyle. However, even Li Huayue herself is ambivalent about her motives for shooting restricted movies. On the one hand, she said that it was all about making money to support her family, and on the other hand, she once said frankly: "I really want to gain attention through this breakthrough, so as to further open the door to my career." In any case, Li Huayue obviously enjoyed the treatment of becoming a "third-level queen" at that time. She even proudly claimed that she was "the only woman who dared to 'shoot live' in the play".
Excessive hype and lack of follow-up to withdraw from the film industry
After relying on restricted movies to open up her popularity, Li Huayue actually filmed a lot of normal film and television dramas, such as "Family Frolic", "Caiyuan Village" and so on. But soon, she found that she had been stereotyped by the label of "third-level queen" and was destined to fail to step into the ranks of big-name movie stars. At the same time, more newcomers have also begun to follow Li Huayue's example and use restricted movies to create attention. In 1998, Li Huayue announced her retirement from the entertainment industry, and has never appeared in the public eye since. This retirement was a full 15 years, and it was not until 2013 that she briefly appeared. At that time, she was over the age of six, and mentioned in the interview that she is now living a very ordinary life.
Recreate the rivers and lakes, and the elegance is no longer exposed
In 2013, Li Huayue briefly returned to the public eye, causing a wave of popularity. Everyone is curious about what kind of life this former "third-level queen" lives now. At that time, Li Huayue looked quite unkempt, her hair was unkempt, she was wearing a leopard print top and gray shorts, plus sneakers, and she was dressed quite casually. It can be seen that she has completely lost the flamboyance and boldness of the past, and lives an extremely ordinary life and rest.
Even after the age of sixties, Li Huayue still maintains the generosity and casualness of the past. She did not shy away from talking about her experience as a "third-level queen", and boasted that she was "the first Hong Kong actress who dared to shoot in the play". Now she has left Hong Kong and lives a relatively low-key life. Today's entertainment industry environment has undergone earth-shaking changes, and restricted movies have long since declined. Li Huayue wrote a legend with the spirit of "insisting on doing things and daring to act", which may be a unique mark she left on the Hong Kong film industry.
Li Huayue's experience makes us reflect on some of the prejudices and expectations that society has towards women today. She dared to pursue her dreams, was not afraid to challenge conventional wisdom, and although her fame was unsustainable in the end, she still lived her life. Everyone should have the opportunity to live their own way.
If it were you, would you be willing to break free from worldly prejudices and pursue your dreams?