Yao Jia: "Spider Spirit" of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh

SnowJun 26, 2025 at 21:39

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In the memories of millions of Asian audiences, the image of the charming and scheming "spider demon elder sister" in "Journey to the West 1986" is always a classic symbol. The person who embodied this character perfectly was Yao Jia.

More than four decades after that role, Yao Jia has had an extraordinary career journey. From an unknown "amateur" on the screen, she has quietly transformed herself and risen to become one of the most powerful "bosses" in the Chinese film production industry, the person behind the resounding success of a series of A-list stars and hit TV series, changing the landscape of the Chinese entertainment industry.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 1

Fateful Beginning: The "Elf" Role and the Director's "Unconvention"

In the 1980s, when director Yang Jie produced "Journey to the West", the selection of actors was extremely strict. Director Yang was famous for being demanding in both appearance and temperament, and was willing to search all over the country.

It was in this context that Yao Jia, born in 1963 in Sichuan, appeared. At that time, she was only 17 years old, a medical student and had never studied acting. However, Yang Jie saw in Yao Jia a striking, sharp beauty mixed with innocence, with expressive eyes and a rare, charming, and mysterious aura, completely suitable for the image of a goblin.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 2

Despite having to "break the rules" of the casting, the director still decided to give the role of the spider-goblin elder sister to Yao Jia. Perhaps the artistic tradition from her mother - a famous opera actress in Hunan - has more or less passed on her artistic talent and sense.

Beyond expectations, Yao Jia, despite having no professional experience, still fully portrayed the charm, intrigue and cunning of the character. She not only conveyed an attractive appearance but also portrayed inner depth, making the audience both scared and captivated.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 3

The role of the red spider demon played by Yao Jia is not only the most prominent among the seven demon sisters but also becomes a classic image. The episode "Lost in the Silk Cave" with its bathing scene and dramatic confrontation has become one of the most viewed episodes, deeply imprinted in the memories of many generations of viewers.

Power Shift: From Screen to Behind the Scenes

After the resounding success of her first role, Yao Jia continued to study medicine. However, instead of pursuing a stable path, she decided to completely change direction to a professional art career. The actress participated in a few films such as "Li Shi Shi" (1989), "Sima Qian" (1997), "Qu Yuan" (1999). Although well-reviewed, these roles did not really help her explode in fame.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 4

Perhaps, Yao Jia realized that her strengths were not only in live acting but also in management ability and strategic vision. She made a bold decision: to withdraw from the screen and move to work behind the scenes. Starting as an employee at Hunan TV, Yao Jia quickly rose to the position of senior executive director thanks to her acumen and innate leadership talent.

The pinnacle of her behind-the-scenes career came in 2007, when she officially established Zhejiang Hao Kuo Film and Television Co., Ltd. From there, Yao Jia officially became one of China's leading film producers, holding power and a voice in shaping the trends of the entertainment industry. Building her own empire shows the former actress's ambition and ability to seize opportunities during the booming period of China's entertainment industry.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 5

"The Midwife": Blockbusters and Stars Under Yao Jia's Vision

Under the talented hands and keen eyes of Dieu Gia, a series of television works were born and became popular throughout Asia, at the same time bringing the names of many young actors to the ranks of A-list stars. She is known as a "good midwife" for stars, with the ability to see potential and invest in the right direction.

A typical example is the film "Palace" (2011). This work not only created a fever for historical time-travel films but also helped Duong Mich suddenly become a "ratings queen" and an A-list star. Next, "Watching Meteor Shower Together" (2009) created a new wave of idols, bringing names like Trinh Sang and Truong Han to the ranks of beloved young stars.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 6

Yao Jia's most notable mark as a producer is probably the blockbuster "Scarlet Heart" (2011). This is considered one of the most classic historical dramas in Chinese television history, highly appreciated for its script, acting and production. The resounding success of the film not only brought Liu Shishi and Wu Qilong to the peak of their careers, but also brought them together in real life.

Yao Jia continued to prove his vision by discovering and supporting Trieu Le Dinh in the film "Legend of Lu Zhen" (2013). From a little-known face, Le Dinh became a leading "little flower" under the guidance of her senior.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 7

In addition, the list of other famous works produced by Yao Jia also includes "Dai Minh Phong Hoa" (2019), "Na Tra Hanh Yeu Ky" (2020). She not only produces films but also participates in designing and developing many famous reality TV shows of Hunan TV, affirming her position as a "boss" and her profound influence in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Timeless beauty and bold artistic philosophy

At 62 years old, Yao Jia still surprises many people with her incredibly youthful beauty. She has a slim figure, smooth skin, and a bright smile, showing almost no signs of aging. Her son, Long Zi Jia, even had to caption "this is my mother" when taking photos together to avoid being mistaken for sisters.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 8

More importantly, Yao Jia is also admired for her bold artistic philosophy. In a talent show, she once boldly declared: "I don't need cosmetic actors, I look for people with their own temperament, passion for the profession and who know how to get along with the film crew."

This viewpoint is highly appreciated, especially in the context of the entertainment industry being overloaded with "artificial" beauty and the race for "traffic". Yao Jia promotes true values, unique temperament and professional ethics, contributing to reorienting the core values in the industry.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 9

Private life and talented family

Despite being famous and wealthy with an estimated fortune of hundreds of millions of NDT, Dieu Gia still chooses an extremely private lifestyle, away from all the noise and gossip of showbiz. The "boss" rarely appears in public and has never publicly disclosed details about her married life or family.

To many in the profession, Dieu Gia is not only the iconic "witch" of yesteryear, but also a woman full of courage, with a sharp artistic eye, outstanding strategic vision and a heart that is constantly devoted to the film industry.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 10

Her journey is a living testament to how a talent can transcend all limits, becoming one of the most influential figures in a competitive and volatile industry like Chinese entertainment.

Yao Jia: Spider Spirit of Journey to the West, kept a warehouse with Y, now a boss supporting Le Dinh - Photo 11

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