There are two types of Chinese growing up in America. One is the kind that does really well in school, with thick, thick glasses. And the other is involved with the gangs.

In 2003 Yen played the antagonist against Jackie Chan in Shanghai Knights. Apart from being a well-known film and television actor in Hong Kong Yen has also gained international recognition for appearing in many films together with other prominent and internationally-known actors such as Jackie Chan Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. Yen and Li appeared together again in the 2002 film Hero where Yen played a spear (or qiang) fighter who fought with Li's character an unnamed swordsman.

Apart from being a well-known film and television actor in Hong Kong Yen has also gained international recognition for appearing in many films together with other prominent and internationally-known actors such as Jackie Chan Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. He played the role of Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the 2008 film Ip Man which was a box office success.