Veteran Chinese actress Li Mingqi, best known for her unforgettable role as the villainous “Rung Momo” in the classic drama My Fair Princess, has recently become a hot topic on Chinese social media after being recognized by passersby while shopping at a local market.
According to 163 News, witnesses were delighted to see the actress, now approaching 90 years old, looking healthy, energetic, and sharp-minded. Her voice, they noted, was still as clear and commanding as ever — instantly recognizable to anyone who remembers her chilling performance from decades ago.
Though Li Mingqi has long retired from the entertainment industry, her portrayal of Rung Momo remains etched in the memory of millions across Asia. Fans online celebrated the news of her good health, expressing nostalgia for her legendary performance.
“Even after all these years, I still get goosebumps when I think of Rung Momo,” one fan wrote on Weibo.
“She terrified us as kids — but what an incredible actress she is!” another commented.
The role made Li Mingqi a household name but also brought her unexpected trouble. Following the airing of My Fair Princess in the late 1990s, some overly emotional viewers reportedly threw rotten eggs and vegetables at her in public because they despised her character so much.
Despite the unpleasant encounters, Li has always taken such reactions as a backhanded compliment to her acting skills.
In earlier interviews, Li revealed that she was not the first choice for the role. Another actress had originally been cast but fell ill shortly before filming began. The production team urgently called Li to step in — and she accepted without hesitation.
Interestingly, the drama’s infamous needle torture scene, in which Rung Momo punishes Princess Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi, was not in the original script written by author Qiong Yao. It was Li Mingqi herself who proposed the intense scene, arguing that it would better express her character’s cruelty and obsession with loyalty.
The director agreed, and the result became one of the most memorable — and feared — moments in Chinese television history.
Born in Dandong, Liaoning Province, Li Mingqi grew up during an era of great hardship. Her father passed away when she was young, leaving her mother to raise a large family alone. At just 11 years old, Li began working in a factory to help support her family.
Her powerful singing voice later earned her a spot in a railway propaganda troupe, and eventually, she was recruited into a military art ensemble, marking the start of her performing career.
Recognizing her talent, the troupe even invited foreign instructors to teach her vocal training. However, after two years of music studies, Li discovered her true passion lay in drama and film.
In 1960, she made her on-screen debut in the film The 12th Train, a small role that opened the door to a long and respected acting career spanning decades.
Today, Li Mingqi lives quietly, occasionally appearing at community events and staying active in daily life. Her continued health and bright spirit at nearly 90 are seen by many as an inspiration.
Despite being remembered for playing one of Chinese television’s most feared villains, Li Mingqi has, in real life, won admiration for her humility, resilience, and deep love for her craft.
“She may have been terrifying as Rung Momo,” one netizen wrote, “but in real life, she’s the sweetest grandma we could hope for.”
Sources: Znews