Duong Xuan Ha was tricked into playing the White Bone Demon, and she will never forgive the director of Journey to the West for the rest of her life.

Duong Xuan Ha, the actress who played the White Bone Demon in the 1986 version of "Journey to the West," is one of the characters that left the deepest impression on viewers' memories, but at the same time, it is also the character that caused her to live with lingering remorse and hatred for decades.

The iconic role that terrified generations of viewers was the very reason for the conflict between her and the director who brought her to this role, and also the reason why she never wanted to talk about the film that made her famous.

Born in Shanghai in 1943, Yang Chunhe comes from an artistic family. She attended an art school from a young age, then majored in Peking Opera – a renowned traditional Chinese art form – and quickly established herself on stage. Before entering the film industry, she was already a beloved stage star, known for her heroic and spirited performances in Peking Opera.

When filming for "Journey to the West" began, director Yang Jie devoted much effort to finding the right actress for the role of the White Bone Demon – a beautiful yet evil demon with a complex personality and powerful magic. This was one of the most important villainous roles in the film, requiring not only skill but also a unique charisma on screen. Initially, Yang Chunhe resolutely refused. She feared that this image of a cruel demon would alienate the audience, affecting her reputation and the image she had built up on the Peking Opera stage.

Touched by director Yang Jie's sincerity and determination, Yang Chunhe finally agreed to take on the role, on the condition that she would also play the Queen of the Women's Kingdom – a more benevolent character to balance the overall image. Yang Jie nodded in agreement to persuade her to accept. However, things did not go as promised. After Yang Chunhe completed her role as the White Bone Demon, the director unexpectedly broke his promise and gave the role of the Queen of the Women's Kingdom to another actress, leaving her feeling betrayed.

Yang Chunhe's portrayal of the White Bone Demon later became one of the most iconic villains in the history of Chinese television. With only a few episodes, the image of the cunning, cruel, yet alluringly beautiful demon left a lasting impression on viewers and became a childhood nightmare for many. However, this success also brought significant negative consequences to the actress's life. Despite being widely loved, Yang Chunhe was also disliked by the audience because of the character's wickedness, causing her to face many complex emotions.

The director's betrayal of his initial promise severely damaged the relationship between Yang Chunhe and Yang Jie. After the film's explosive success and subsequent status as a classic, most of the cast enjoyed fame and received invitations to perform, participate in television programs, and attend events. But Yang Chunhe was different. She never appeared with the cast and crew at later reunions, and even when asked, she always avoided mentioning "Journey to the West" and the role that made her famous.

Even when director Yang Jie admitted her mistake in a television interview, apologizing for breaking her promise, Yang Chunhe did not accept it and did not let go of her resentment. The director's apology – that she was the person he "felt most guilty towards" in his life – could not soothe the deep wound she carried for many years afterward. When Yang Jie died, Yang Chunhe did not attend the funeral – a move that clearly demonstrated her lingering anger and her decision to completely sever ties with the director who had changed her life.

After completing "Journey to the West," Yang Chunhe did not pursue a film career but returned to Peking Opera – the field that was her greatest passion and dedication. She worked quietly, lived a private life, and rarely appeared before the media or the public. Information about her personal life was mostly known only through accounts from those who knew her. For many years, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to traditional art, nurturing young actors and continuing to teach the values ​​of Peking Opera.

In her personal life, she is married to an opera singer and has a son. Yang Chunhe's current life is that of an elderly woman living a simple, peaceful life with her family. She appeared in a CCTV interview in 2020 and explained that the reason she hadn't contacted director Yang Jie was because they were both busy with their own work, rather than because of any lingering animosity. However, her attitude towards the film and the director offered a very realistic and emotional perspective on what happens behind the scenes and on set.

At over 80 years old, Yang Chunhe still maintains good health, a sharp mind, and an enduring elegance. She is revered as a veteran artist of Chinese Peking Opera, considered "Teacher Yang"—a respected figure in the traditional arts. Her reputation remains a source of pride for the art world, even though the role that brought her closer to the audience is the one she least wants to remember.

The story of Duong Xuan Ha – the artist who was "deceived" into playing the White Bone Demon – is not merely an interesting event in film history, but also a complex portrayal of the relationship between artist and director, between fame and image, between emotion and hurt. For many, "Journey to the West 1986" is a beautiful and unforgettable memory, but for her – who portrayed one of the characters that brought the film to life most vividly – ​​it is a memory that will haunt her with mixed emotions for the rest of her life.

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