In the 1970s, Yao Wei performed for many years in various nightclubs across Southeast Asia, including Singapore and Malaysia. She has a strong connection with Singapore and was once invited to perform as a resident singer at a nightclub in Taiwan for two years. During this time, she also served as the Hong Kong host for Taiwan Television’s travel program “Big Screen” (which debuted in 1977).

Yao Wei, who excelled in singing, later ventured into acting. In 1978, she signed a contract with Hong Kong’s TVB station. She not only starred alongside Chow Yun-fat in the drama “The Struggle”, but also appeared in the series “Incompatible”. She later collaborated with Gan Guoliang in “The Legend of Wu Shuang”, and was invited by renowned writer Bai Xianyong to star in “The Last Night of Jin Daban”, which led to her big-screen debut and overnight fame.

The Last Night of Jin Daban (1984) earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the 21st Golden Horse Awards. Yao Wei became a household name in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia, establishing herself as a versatile star in singing, television, and film. She is considered one of the earliest crossover queens in the entertainment industry.

On one occasion, while traveling in Israel, Yao Wei had a chance encounter at the Jordan River where she was baptized, becoming a devout Christian. She then dedicated herself to spreading the Gospel around the world and volunteered to serve the Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of her life.