Hong Kong Film Award winner Chen Kun and Huang Xiaoming triggered a wave of nostalgia across the internet at the end of April by posting a group photo of the Beijing Film Academy (BFA) Acting Class of 1996’s 30th anniversary reunion on Weibo. The biggest surprise for netizens was the rare public appearance of Vicki Zhao (Zhao Wei), who became the focal point of heated online discussion.
With perfect coordination, Chen Kun and Huang Xiaoming posted the same group photo at the same time. Chen Kun wrote emotionally: "Beijing Film Academy Acting Class of ’96, 30 years," while Huang Xiaoming excitedly captioned: "The cutest everyone! The best Class of ’96!"
In the photo, the stars cluster around their head teacher, Ms. Cui Xinqin, who sits firmly in the center, highlighting her highly respected status among the students. The reunion gathered a dazzling line-up, including, besides Chen Kun, Huang Xiaoming, and Vicki Zhao, the likes of Guo Xiaodong, Zu Feng, Zhang Lingxin, Yan Danchen, He Lin, Kong Wei, and Li Jia, among others.
The BFA Acting Class of ’96 has long been lauded in China’s entertainment industry as a "star factory" and an "iconic class." Of the 23 students, over 80% are still active in film and television today. Huang Xiaoming is the only double Grand Slam Best Actor in China; Chen Kun is a double Best Actor winner at the Huabiao and Hundred Flowers Awards; He Lin has won Best Actress at the International Emmy Awards; Li Jia clinched Best Actress at the Tokyo International Film Festival—remarkable achievements all round.
Vicki Zhao radiates with a beaming smile and excellent spirits
The most eye-catching figure at the reunion was undoubtedly Vicki Zhao. In 2021, several of her classic works, such as "My Fair Princess," "Painted Skin," and "Romance in the Rain," were all removed or delisted from major platforms, and her social media accounts were successively shut down, leading her into prolonged public silence. Her rare appearance for the class’s 30th reunion, with a bright smile and seeming in excellent spirits in the photos, thrilled many.
Adding to the buzz, Zhao and Chen Kun were previously rumored to have had a falling-out. Their appearance together in a group photo this time has effectively quashed years of speculation about their discord, demonstrating that their old classmate bond remains strong, leaving netizens both nostalgic and moved.
