Although Zhang Yimou's divorce from his former wife caused a great stir at that time, most people still blessed Zhang Gong's romance. Unexpectedly, things changed as the two eventually broke up due to disputes over marriage.
Before Gong Li and Zhang Yimou broke up in 1994, she had met Hwang Ho Chang, the president of the Asia-Pacific region of British American Tobacco Company, through Hong Kong female writer Clara Law. Hwang Ho Chang is the same age as Zhang Yimou. When Gong Li was emotionally lost, he gave her meticulous care and protection, and finally "won the beauty". The two got married on February 15, 1996. Gong Li commented on Hwang Ho Chang as "having a good temper and a tolerant character".