Zine Tseng (Chinese: 曾靖; born 1993/1994) is a Taiwanese actress best known for her role as Ye Wenjie in the American Netflix sci-fi series 3 Body Problem.

Zine Tseng
曾靖
Born
Zine Tseng

1993 or 1994 (age 30–31)
Education
OccupationActress
Years active2024–present

Early life

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Tseng was born in 1993 or 1994 in the Tamsui District of New Taipei City, Taiwan, to a Taiwanese father and Hunanese mother.[1][2] She began practicing martial arts at a young age due to the influence of her grandfather, including learning Northern Praying Mantis and nunchucks.[3] She split her childhood time between Taiwan and China,[2] and later moved to the United States, where she completed high school.[4] Tseng continued her studies at the USC School of Dramatic Arts in 2013 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in theater.[5][6] From 2017 to 2019, she starred in David Henry Hwang's play Chinglish on the invitation of a friend, which sparked her interest in acting.[2] Instead of returning to Taiwan to start a cafe in Taitung City as initially planned, she enrolled at USC again to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in acting and intended to pursue a career in stage performances.[2][4] However, she deferred her studies for a year in 2021 due to COVID-19 and ultimately quit the program in her second year when she was cast in 3 Body Problem.[4]

Career

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Tseng made her onscreen acting debut with the 2024 American Netflix sci-fi series 3 Body Problem, adapted from the Chinese novel of the same name.[4] She shared a main role with Rosalind Chao, portraying the younger version of Ye Wenjie, a Chinese astrophysicist who contacted extraterrestrial beings during the Cultural Revolution.[7][8] While still enrolled at USC in 2021, Tseng was approached by a classmate who majored in directing to audition for the role, and she was selected by director Derek Tsang from a pool of 3,000 contestants.[2][4] She was required to move to London for an eight-month shoot, leading her to discontinue her master's studies.[2][9] Tseng also worked on the Mandarin dialogues for the scenes set in China.[10] Her performance was critically acclaimed, with Palmer Haasch of Business Insider calling it "a brilliant debut performance" and Therese Lacson of Collider describing it as "magnificent",[11][12] and it earned her Outstanding Performance in a Drama Series at the 1st Gotham TV Awards.[13]

Tseng signed with Artist International Group in August 2023,[14] and she has expressed interest in making her debut in Taiwanese cinema.[1][15] In 2024, Tseng is cast in a lead role as Princess Gulun Shou'an, a Chinese scholar and martial artist, in Guy Ritchie's upcoming series Young Sherlock.[16][17]

Personal life

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After the filming of 3 Body Problem, Tseng returned to Taiwan and is currently residing in the mountain regions of Tamsui.[4]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2024 3 Body Problem Young Ye Wenjie Main role; 4 episodes[7]
TBA Young Sherlock Princess Gulun Shou'an Main role; filming[16]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2024 1st Gotham TV Awards Outstanding Performance in a Drama Series 3 Body Problem Won [13]

References

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  1. ^ a b Chung, Keira (29 March 2024). "解碼《三體》曾靖出道即圓夢!曾靖從《三體》書迷躍升國際演員,許願與李安導演合作" [Decoding 3 Body Problem: Zine Tseng's dream come true! Tseng transitioned from Three-Body Problem novel fan to international actor, wishes to collaborate with director Ang Lee.] (in Chinese). Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Lee, Nicole (25 April 2024). "台灣新演員曾靖出道即接演Netflix科幻鉅作《3體》:「好看的表演是要把面具拿掉」" [New Taiwanese actress Zine Tseng landed the lead role in Netflix's sci-fi epic 3 Body Problem right at debut: "Good performance requires removing our masks".] (in Chinese). Vogue Taiwan. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  3. ^ Chang, Sally (1 April 2024). "關於《3 體》青年時期葉文潔「曾靖」的 4 件事:來自台灣、學過功夫、《3 體》是她的出道作!" [4 things about Ye Wenjie's (Zine Tseng) youth in 3 Body Problem: [She is] From Taiwan, trained in martial arts, and 3 Body Problem was her acting debut!"] (in Chinese). GQ Taiwan. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Chen, JuJu (1 April 2024). "專訪《3體》科幻超新星Zine曾靖,是表演找到了我:「強者,才有權利做選擇!」" [Exclusive Interview with the 3 Body Problem rising star Zine Tseng: "The strong ones have the right to choose!'"] (in Chinese). Marie Claire. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  5. ^ Chang, Lily (22 June 2024). "Netflix《3體》少女「葉文潔」是台灣演員曾靖!3千人海選脫穎而出,盼合作李安、《周處除三害》阮經天" [Ye Wenjie of 3 Body Problem is Taiwanese actress Zine Tseng! She outshone 3,000 competitors, hopes to collaborate with Ang Lee and Ethan Juan.] (in Chinese). Cosmopolitan. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  6. ^ 陳穎 (21 March 2024). "Netflix《3體》驚見台灣妹!曾靖化身勞改科學家 嗨喊「我是淡水人」" [Netflix's 3 Body Problem features a Taiwanese girl! Zine Tseng embodies a reform-through-labor scientist, proudly declaring "I am from Tamsui!"] (in Chinese). SET News. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b Parrish, Ash (4 April 2024). "3 Body Problem stars on the show's big question: would you push the button?". The Verge. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  8. ^ Harper, Rachel (27 March 2024). "3 Body Problem: Zine Tseng and Rosalind Chao Exclusive Video Interview". SciFiNow. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  9. ^ 翁健偉 (21 March 2024). "Netflix年度大作《3體》力捧新星 曾靖為戲忍痛退學" [Netflix's blockbuster 3 Body Problem spotlights rising star Zine Tseng, who dropped out of school for the role"] (in Chinese). Mirror Media. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  10. ^ Haasch, Palmer (23 March 2024). "'3 Body Problem' director Derek Tsang says the show 'relied' on him and a Chinese writer to finesse its Mandarin dialogue". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 9 April 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  11. ^ Haasch, Palmer (21 March 2024). "'3 Body Problem' is not 'Game of Thrones' with aliens — but it's just getting started". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  12. ^ Lacson, Therese (21 March 2024). "'3 Body Problem' Review: 'Game of Thrones' Creators Successfully Adapt Your Next Favorite Sci-Fi Binge". Collider. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  13. ^ a b Carson, Lexi (4 June 2024). "'Baby Reindeer,' 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' and 'Colin From Accounts' Take Top Prizes at 2024 Gotham TV Awards: Full Winners List". Variety. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  14. ^ Grober, Matt (8 August 2023). "'3 Body Problem's Zine Tseng Inks With Artist International Group". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  15. ^ 廖福生 (21 March 2024). "新人女星曾靖靠《3體》嚐初體驗 認了:第一次有賺錢的感覺" [Newcomer actress Zine Tseng tasted her first commercial success through the 3 Body Problem, admitting: "This is the first time I have earned money!"] (in Chinese). TVBS News. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  16. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (2 July 2024). "'Young Sherlock' Adds '3 Body Problem's Zine Tseng". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  17. ^ Coman, Monica (3 July 2024). "3 Body Problem Star Joins Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock Holmes Series". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
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