The passing of renowned author Chiung Yao on December 4, 2024, sent shockwaves through the global Chinese-speaking community, leaving countless readers and audiences in deep mourning.
Chiung Yao was a prolific writer, with her meticulously curated collection encompassing more than seventy works. In the evolution of modern Chinese literature, many scholars regard her as a pivotal figure, bridging traditional lyrical storytelling and contemporary romance narratives. She is often seen as inheriting the legacy of the Mandarin Duck and Butterfly School while pioneering trends in modern romance novels and even online fiction.
Moreover, Chiung Yao’s profound impact transcended the boundaries of literature, spanning multiple media formats. Starting with novels, her works extended into radio, film, television, and even music, solidifying her position as a cornerstone in the history of popular Chinese culture worldwide.
Her creative universe revolved around the theme of “love”—romantic love, familial love, the love between humans and animals, the love for plants, and the connection between humanity and nature. This rich spiritual pursuit permeated various mediums, deeply influencing generations of readers and viewers. Her works remain timeless classics, cherished by many as a source of enduring inspiration.
Words Reflect the Person: Genuine and Delightful
Chiung Yao, whose real name was Chen Che, was affectionately called “Phoenix” as a child. From an early age, her mother replaced nursery rhymes with Tang poetry, and by the age of seven, she was well-versed in the works of Li Bai, Du Fu, and Bai Juyi, laying a solid foundation for her literary journey. During her teenage years, Chiung Yao immersed herself in Western literary classics, which she later described as her sanctuary during difficult times. After graduating high school, she resolved to pursue writing and adopted the pen name “Chiung Yao” from the verse in the “Book of Songs”: “There was presented to me a peach, And I returned for it a beautiful gem.”
In July 1963, Chiung Yao’s literary fame skyrocketed, with six major works published within a year and a half. These included the novels “Outside the Window”, “Fire and Rain”, “Dodder Flower”, and “Many Enchanting Nights”, as well as two collections of short stories, “Six Dreams” and “Lucky Clover”. A seventh collection, “The Sound of the Tide”, was already in the pipeline, awaiting publication.
As her literary reputation grew, Chiung Yao ventured into the film industry and transitioned into television in the mid-1980s, blending her literary talents with entertainment production. In 1988, she returned to mainland China for the first time, where she organized her collected works and set a precedent for copyright management. She also spearheaded the production of co-created TV dramas between Taiwan and the mainland, showcasing breathtaking cultural landmarks and natural landscapes, deeply resonating with audiences worldwide.
A sensitive and keen observer, Chiung Yao masterfully combined Chinese classical and Western literature. Drawing inspiration from family stories and Western classics, she often infused her novels, titles, and lyrics with reimagined elements of traditional Chinese poetry. Her modern yet elegant writing style made her works accessible to a vast audience, leaving an indelible mark on readers and viewers alike.
Though love and romance were central to her works, Chiung Yao’s interests extended far beyond. Her early writings authentically depicted youthful struggles, her mid-career works were imbued with dreamy romanticism, and her later pieces showcased rich classical Chinese impressions. Often interweaving personal experiences and insights, her stories addressed generational gaps, societal norms, moral dilemmas, and cultural shifts, mirroring the dynamic evolution of society while maintaining dramatic narratives.
Reading Chiung Yao’s words felt like an intimate conversation. She was a profoundly “genuine” writer—a harmonious blend of gentleness and intensity. While she humorously critiqued the so-called “Chiung Yao-esque dialogues” in her works, she also encouraged young writers to persevere through rejections, famously saying in her 80s: “I’ve been through it all. You must, absolutely must, keep going!”
This heartfelt encouragement, delivered in her signature “Chiung Yao” tone, is unforgettable. How could we not be moved?
A Passionate Soul Who Loved Life Deeply
In “The Peony Pavilion”, it is written: “Love comes without knowing its origin, yet it runs deep and unwavering.”
Chiung Yao was undoubtedly a person full of passion, brimming with emotion, and living life to the fullest. Her love transcended life and death; as long as her works remain, her spirit will endure. As long as there is someone in the world who believes in love, her creations will hold timeless value.
After her passing, her closest family members, fans, and friends revisited her Facebook posts, finding them imbued with an overflowing love for and celebration of life. She once wrote: “The beauty of life lies in the ability to love, to hate, to laugh, to cry, to sing, to speak, to run, to jump, to despise evil with all your heart, to live passionately, and to share moments with kindred spirits, embracing life with grace and freedom.”
All these experiences, she had lived through and enjoyed in her lifetime, making her life a truly fulfilled one.
In her final words, Chiung Yao earnestly reminded us that her departure was a smiling farewell, a serene closure to a life that had reached its final station. She lovingly encouraged those she held dear, saying that momentary setbacks and challenges might only be life’s way of tempering us. If we can endure, we will emerge stronger, living boldly as our true selves. While this world may not be perfect, it offers unexpected joys, sorrows, and everything in between.
Chiung Yao taught us this: Never, ever miss out on the brilliance that belongs to us.
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