Barbara Weng-nicknamed Yellow Weng-the heroine of "The Legend of The Condor Heroes", the hero of "Shanghai Bund" and beloved by many Chinese girls, Zhow Yun Fat, Japanese actor Takakura Ken from "Manhun", and Japanese actress Yamaguchi Momoe were China's most famous and most popular actors of the time.

As well as the heroes and the professionals, more and more pop stars from Hong Kong, Taiwan and even Japan flooded the mainland during the 1980s. Pop stars like Chang Yu-sheng and Kris Phillips were familiar faces to mainland Chinese in the 1980s, while Cui Jian, honored as "Godfather of Chinese rock and roll" became the icon of his generation when he stunned the audience with his performance in Beijing Worker's Stadium in 1986. The 1980s were a time when people tried to cast off outdated ideas but new values had not yet taken shape. With lyrics that captured the confusion of youth, Cui Jian's popularity grew.

Chang Yu-sheng

Cui Jian

Western music and musicians also became popular in China in the late 1980s. First came John Denver, followed by other American country & western singers. Later, people started to listen to easy-listening pop from artists like The Carpenters. "Yesterday Once More" was a favorite among teachers throughout China for teaching to their students. The Beatles and other rock acts also won a place in the hearts of young Chinese men, while the groundbreaking Chinese film "Breakdance -The Movie" inspired by Michael Jackson and the western world's street dance styles, made its cultural impact on a generation.

The Carpenters

Nowadays the music of Madonna, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Kanye West and Eminem can easily be found in music retail outlets. Some of the most influential idols like Mariah Carey, Elton John, Whitney Houston and Rolling Stones have hit the stage all over China to the applause of their fans, even if in 1985 Wham! duo George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley encountered little passion and noise in a Chinese audience who sat quietly listening to the first-ever Western pop music gig in China following the reform and opening-up.

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley