"Qiong Yao Economy" Earned 440 Million, Catapulted Hundreds of Stars from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong

The famous talented writer Qiong Yao (real name: Chen Che) passed away by suicide at her home in Tamsui on the 4th, at the age of 86. Throughout her life, she created countless romance novels, most of which were adapted into TV dramas. Together with her husband Ping Xintao, she built the "Qiong Yao Economy," which is estimated to have earned over 100 million USD (approximately over 445 million MYR).

According to the Chinese media, "First Financial Daily," behind the success of the "Qiong Yao Economy" was the support of her family business. Her husband Ping Xintao acted as her agent and publisher, and the publishing group he founded, Crown Publishing Group (formerly Crown Culture Corporation), focused on literary publishing and launched all of Qiong Yao's works. This group had worked with many well-known writers, including Eileen Chang, Sanmao, and Zhang Xiaoxian.

Throughout her life, Qiong Yao created 65 romance novels, most of which were adapted into TV dramas, such as "Deep Courtyard," the "Six Dreams" series, the "Plum Blossom Trilogy," and the "Princess Pearl" series. Among them, the first and second parts of "Princess Pearl" were very popular in China and also achieved good ratings in Japan and South Korea. In 2011, she collaborated again with Hunan TV to launch a new version of "Princess Pearl."

In addition to Crown Publishing Group, Qiong Yao also had three film and television companies: Kerun Company, Yiren Company, and Zhongjie Company. Among them, Yiren Company is managed by Qiong Yao's daughter-in-law He Xiuqiong, who is in charge of film and television investment and artist management, while her son Chen Zhongwei is responsible for production.

According to public information on China's "Tianyancha APP," Yiren Communication Co., Ltd. was established in 1985, with a capital of 10 million NTD (approximately 1.37 million MYR), and registered multiple trademarks such as "Princess Pearl" and "Qiong Yao," with international classifications involving catering, accommodation, and website services. Additionally, Qiong Yao founded a company in Shanghai focusing on the drama and modeling business, which has now been renamed Chuangyi Culture and became a subsidiary of Hunan TV. Chuangyi Culture was dissolved in 2014 due to a resolution and was deregistered, although it once had a branch office in Beijing that ceased operation after its business period expired in 2016.

The "Qiong Yao Economy" not only benefited family members but also propelled the careers of many stars. Veteran actress Liu Xuehua began her acting career at the age of 21 with the film "Mist," playing the role of "Yiping." Lin Qingxia was invited to star in the film "Outside the Window," becoming a film industry goddess. "Princess Pearl" made Chinese actress Zhao Wei, Taiwanese actress Ruby Lin, along with Ma Jingtao, Lin Ruiyang, Weng Jiaming, Xu Nailin, as well as Su Youpeng and Chen Zhipeng, who originated from boy bands, famous to this day. Nearly a hundred actors from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong became well-known big stars due to their performances in Qiong Yao dramas.