In Zhengzhou, Henan province, 60-year-old Pan Yihong has transformed retirement into an unexpected acting career, becoming one of China’s most recognizable faces in the booming micro-drama industry. After decades as a discipline official in a state-owned enterprise, Pan has appeared in over 300 short-form productions since retiring, specializing in villainous grandmother and mother-in-law roles that have earned her the nickname ‘Rong Momo’ after Chinese television’s iconic antagonist.
Pan’s journey to micro-drama stardom represents a deferred dream finally realized. In 1984, she completed drama training but prioritized practical career concerns, keeping her faded pink certificate through multiple moves as a silent reminder of her unrealized passion. Her father had named her Yihong, meaning ‘artistic rainbow,’ in hopes she would someday achieve artistic heights.
That aspiration culminated in late 2025 when Pan received the Golden Leaf Honor at the Weibo TV and Internet Video Summit in Beijing—a moment she commemorated by visiting her father’s grave to share her accomplishment. ‘Your daughter didn’t just become an actress,’ she told him. ‘She won an award.’
Unlike actors who resist typecasting, Pan embraces her villain specialization. ‘It shows that I have successfully portrayed these images and they recognize my acting skills,’ she explained. Her approach to villainy focuses on capturing characters’ ‘human logic’ through subtle details rather than exaggerated outbursts.
Off-screen, Pan’s personality contrasts sharply with her on-screen personas. Younger colleagues affectionately call her ‘Auntie Pan,’ and her husband of decades, Qiao Rui, notes that despite rarely watching her productions, he fully supports her career. ‘This is just acting,’ he said. ‘In real life, she is very kind-hearted.’
As a pioneer in China’s rapidly evolving micro-drama industry, Pan has witnessed significant changes in production quality and audience expectations. ‘I have watched this industry rise from the ground,’ she observed. ‘From mindless thrilling dramas with all kinds of exaggeration to content that now requires warmth and social value.’
With nearly 700 million micro-drama viewers nationwide as of June 2025—representing nearly 70% of China’s internet users—the industry continues to expand rapidly. Pan remains highly motivated despite the industry’s demanding schedules, viewing age as merely symbolic. ‘Sixty can be the start of a new life,’ she said. ‘Retirement isn’t about the end. It means finding a new stage to shine on.’
Looking forward, Pan hopes to expand beyond her villain niche into comedy and spy films, aspiring to work in long-form dramas with veteran actors she admires.