"Many women initially began their career as actress because their husbands were directors," says Wan Chuanfa, a Shanghai-based PhD student in film studies.

Li Shikai, 25, a graduate student in environmental science at Shanghai Ocean University, plans to travel home to Kaili, in Guizhou province, for Chinese New Year in February.

She said she plans to return to college for a sports-related postgraduate program in Shanghai.