Zhao Wei Unofficial Fan Blog

Born and raised in Wuhu, Anhui Province, China, Zhao was the second child of Zhao Jiahai (赵家海) and Wei Qiying (魏启颖). Her father, Zhao Jiahai, was an appliance designer. Zhao has one older brother, named Zhao Jian. She graduated from Teachers’ College Elementary School (Shi Fan Fu Xiao) and Teachers’ College High School (17th Secondary School Shi Fan). Originally, Zhao was working towards a career in teaching, like her mother. At the time, Zhao claimed to have never considered the prospect of an acting career, once commenting "I thought actresses had to be beautiful, and I thought I was ordinary". In 1993, however, a filming crew arrived in Wuhu looking for extras for the film Hua Hun, starring Gong Li. Afterward, Zhao decided to pursue an acting career. Looking for ways to leave town, Zhao looked for opportunities to enroll in a film school. She later discovered a new film arts school in Shanghai, opened by the renowned director Xie Jin. In 1996, Zhao received first class results in her entrance exam to Beijing Film Academy's Performance Institute. She graduated from there in 2000.