Promotional material for Endless Journey Photo: Courtesy of Douban

Chinese actor Zhang Yi won his second Best Actor Award at the China Huabiao Film Awards on Sunday in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province. Following his win, Zhang announced in an interview that he will take a temporary break from acting to "recharge," a decision that quickly drew widespread attention and topped the trending chart on China's social media platform Sina Weibo on Monday. 

China Huabiao Film Awards is a government-sponsored award that honors exceptional films and filmmakers. Zhang won his second Best Actor Award at the China Huabiao Film Awards for his role as police officer Cheng Bing in Endless Journey, becoming the third actor in the award's history to win twice. 

Zhang had previously won the Best Actor Award at the 18th Huabiao Awards for My People, My Country. This marks his second time receiving the honor.

Zhang explained that he has taken on too many projects in recent years and now plans to pause, return to everyday life, and wait until he feels fully ready before accepting new roles, reported Beijing Youth Daily.

"I enjoy spending some quiet moments with my cat and walking through busy streets," he said. "I've gotten better at blending into crowds."

He also shared that winning the Huabiao Award, he said, feels like a contract with the audience: "If I don't live seriously and act seriously after winning this award, both the audience and I would lose respect for myself. Even though life would move on without me. That's why I want to take time to reflect and grow."

In his acceptance speech on Sunday, Zhang said the award belongs not only to him but also to the real-life inspiration, Cheng Bing, the film's entire creative team, and the countless heroes who protect the nation.

Zhang added that acting is not just about his personal dreams. "Last year, the Endless Journey crew traveled abroad with the national film delegation. I was surprised by how well Chinese stories were received overseas. It made me realize that filmmakers can dream bigger by sharing China's stories and culture with audiences around the world. And that dream is within reach," he said.

Actors Zhang Yi (left) and Wu Jing in Sacrifice Photo: Courtesy of Beijing Max Times