I have really tried to understand the hype around Yang Mi and how did she manage to get so famous, but I don't.…
I like Yang Mi and I don't mind her acting. In my opinion her acting may not be 'outstanding' but I think she's good at her job and is a smart businesswoman. As for the reason why she is so famous I think it has to do with timing. She's been acting since she was 4 and was in almost all of the popular dramas in the early 2000s which is why she became really popular. She was also in one of the most famous and biggest agency / production company who has made stars from the 2000 very famous and they are still relevant and successful today. In mid 2000s her dramas weren't doing well and she was losing popularity so I think she stated to focus on the business aspect of things as thats when she started her company which could keep her in the industry.Also she was dating Hawick Lau (now divorced) and he comes from a famous family which would keep her in the eye of the media.
Ever since Eternal Love her fame is basically on another level now. The media is always interested in her personal life.
I think the reason why they had the leads play the roles of their kids is because the director changed the ending to a happy one last minute. In the novel there is a happy ending but the director changed it to a sad one in the drama. Due the dramas popularity and demand for a happy ending. They had to quickly film a happy ending and probably didn't have time to cast actors to play their kids.
Ever since Eternal Love her fame is basically on another level now. The media is always interested in her personal life.