Huayu Entertainment: The Birth of a Succubus Top Star

As filming progressed into its mid-stage, several mainstream film and television media outlets and cultural programs visited the Shantou Qilou film set for a public tour.

Considering that period drama scenes are being filmed, the production team designated a special interview area, avoiding the main filming location, in order to minimize disruption to the filming schedule.

A simple wooden table is placed outside the old house, surrounded by mottled brick walls. Old Chaoshan life props can be seen everywhere. The interview environment is simple and without fancy decorations.

Gu Zhiyan changed out of her costume, tidied herself up, and came over for the interview, her face still bearing the composed air she had just gained from the role.

The reporter began by mentioning his 50 billion yuan box office and three Magnolia Awards for Best Actor, titles that are widely discussed by the outside world.

Faced with the praise, Gu Zhiyan simply smiled faintly: "Those are all the halos that my past roles have brought me. When I came to 'Love Letter to Grandma,' I was just Zheng Musheng. No amount of awards or box office success can make me play this wanderer well."

The reporter then asked about the understanding of the character Zheng Musheng.

Gu Zhiyan said, "Zheng Musheng is not a great hero. He is just an ordinary one among the millions of overseas Chinese who went to Southeast Asia. He was forced to go to sea as a young man, did hard labor in a foreign country, suffered hunger and discrimination. He maintained his homeland and family ties with letters from overseas Chinese. His greatest obsession in life was to go home."

Many people portray the return of those who have left home as a dramatic, tearful, and tumultuous experience, but after interacting with local elderly relatives of overseas Chinese, one realizes that true homesickness is often a matter of restraint.

For decades, we've been separated by the sea, our joys and sorrows all contained in a thin letter home. Joy was not expressed with loud laughter, nor was bitterness freely vented; all emotions were suppressed deep within our hearts.

The reporter then asked about the experience of filming in Thailand.

Gu Zhiyan continued, "Filming in Bangkok and interacting with the descendants of overseas Chinese from Southeast Asia was a great help to me. I am very grateful for the kindness of the local fans. They know how to respect the film set, and this sense of propriety is rare. It was only when I went there that I could better understand the sense of rootlessness and displacement of those who crossed the ocean back then. Their feet were not on their homeland, and their hearts were filled with thoughts of people thousands of miles away."

Speaking of her scenes with Li Sitong, Gu Zhiyan praised her, saying, "Sitong is very hardworking and willing to immerse herself in understanding that period of history. She is sincere in every scene. The two of us complement each other, which is why our performances spark."

The reporter then asked, "Having played Fan Xian, Feng Dajiao, and now Zheng Musheng, the range of your roles is extremely wide. Do you have any criteria for choosing scripts?"

Gu Zhiyan answered slowly and seriously: "I don't care too much about whether the subject matter is commercial or artistic. I value more whether the characters are human and whether the story is worth telling. Some stories are told for the sake of current entertainment, while others are left for future remembrance."

"Love Letters to Grandma" belongs to the latter category. Overseas remittance letters carry not only the longing of a family, but also the history of a generation. We have a responsibility to present it well to the audience.

At the end of the interview, the reporter asked about the expectations for the final product.

Gu Zhiyan smiled and said, "I don't expect the box office to be high. I just hope that people who have seen the movie can remember that there was once a group of people who, across the vast ocean, missed their homeland and looked after their loved ones. That's enough."

Well, he just spouts high-sounding words without thinking.

Box office revenue, of course, is as high as possible; otherwise, what's the point of him promoting it so vigorously?

After the set visit, various media outlets released interview articles and behind-the-scenes clips.

[Gu Zhiyan talks about Zheng Musheng, an ordinary wanderer who is most touching] quickly became a trending topic.

The comments section was bustling with activity.

"You can tell from listening to him talk about the character that he really delves into the character's inner world, rather than simply playing a persona."

"Not caring about fame or popularity, but focusing on the story – that's what an actor should be like."

"After listening to the interview, I am even more looking forward to this movie. This history of overseas Chinese correspondence should not be forgotten."

"The scope of script selection is indeed different, from commercial blockbusters to art-house documentaries."

Film critics in the industry also shared the interview and commented: "It is truly rare for someone to remain respectful and humble despite winning awards and achieving box office success."

The full interview was simultaneously translated and reprinted on overseas platforms, and Thai and Malaysian Chinese film fans left messages, hoping for the film's early release.

After the interview, Gu Zhiyan took a short rest, changed back into her coarse cloth costume, and stepped back into the camera's view.

The lights of the arcade-style old houses sway in the breeze, and the story of Zheng Musheng continues to be filmed.

……

In mid-October, filming for "Love Letters to Grandma" officially wrapped up, and Gu Zhiyan took Li Sitong back to the capital.

Da Mimi, Chen Duling, Zhang Yue, and Tong Yaya are at home because they have activities in Beijing.

After arriving home, Gu Zhiyan naturally wanted to catch up with her older and younger sisters.

After staying at home for two days, Tian Xiwei arrived home. A few days later, she and Gu Zhiyan joined the filming crew for "Chasing Jade".

The script for this drama was revised once, but Gu Zhiyan sent it back for revision. It was revised twice more. After Gu Zhiyan read it, he felt it was almost ready to be used, and the production team finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Those plot points that left people speechless are definitely gone.

At the press conference for the start of filming of "Chasing Jade" in Hengdian World Studios, the audience was packed with media and fans, and cameras were lined up in a row.

The news had already spread, and the hashtag "[Gu Zhiyan appears at the launch press conference for Zhu Yu]" had already trended on social media.

Tian Xiwei, dressed in a light-colored ancient costume, had just finished the interview segment when she spotted Kong Xueer standing not far away.

The two had previously worked together on the TV series "Midnight Return" and are good friends.

Tian Xiwei smiled and waved, pulling Kong Xueer to her side: "Brother Xiaoyan, let me introduce you, this is Kong Xueer, who plays Yu Qianqian in our drama."

Kong Xueer looked up at Gu Zhiyan, her eyes filled with admiration, a mix of shyness and excitement: "Brother Xiaoyan, hello! I've seen many of your works, and I especially admire your acting skills."

Gu Zhiyan smiled and said, "Xue'er, hello."

He knew this girl; she was Kong Xueer, who was ridiculed by some celebrities for not knowing how to eat caviar.

During the break between press conferences, in the backstage rest area, a few people had a chance to chat. Kong Xueer couldn't hide her fangirl mentality and took the opportunity to start talking, taking the initiative to tell Gu Zhiyan the complete story of "Chasing Jade".

"The original novel of this drama is called 'Lady Hou and the Butcher Knife.' It tells the story of Fan Changyu, a butcher's daughter, played by Xi Wei. Her parents have passed away, and her relatives covet her family's property and want to bully her. On a snowy night, she saves Xie Zheng, a marquis who has fallen on hard times and is hiding his identity. To help each other overcome their difficulties, the two enter into a fake marriage. One of them will slaughter pigs to support the family and protect the family business, while the other will lie low and secretly investigate the blood feud that wiped out her family seventeen years ago."

She became more and more engrossed in her story, her eyes shining: "In the early stages, it's about the everyday life of ordinary people, full of bickering and noise, gradually developing genuine feelings. Then war breaks out, and the two are forced to separate. Fan Changyu directly takes a butcher's knife and goes to the battlefield to find her husband and investigate the truth; Xie Zheng regains his identity as the Marquis of Wu'an and quells the rebellion on the battlefield."

The two men, having survived life-and-death experiences, reunite on the battlefield, join forces to overthrow treacherous officials in the court, clear their families' names, and ultimately relinquish their attachment to power, returning to the simple life of ordinary people. It's a story of mutual growth.

"The character I play, Yu Qianqian, has a tragic past. She is controlled by the villain Qi Min's obsession and her life is not her own. She is a very tragic subplot in the whole drama." Kong Xueer briefly introduced her role and was a little embarrassed. "I still have a lot to improve. I hope to have the opportunity to ask you for more advice on acting in the future."

Tian Xiwei found it amusing; how could Xiao Yan not know the plot?

She joked from the side, "Xue'er watches a lot of your dramas in private; she's a true fangirl."

Gu Zhiyan chuckled upon hearing this: "No problem. The story is very moving, intertwining the lives of ordinary people with the fate of the nation. The characters all struggle and grow, making it a very substantial script. If you act well, you will shine."

Soon the official press conference began, and the main actors returned to the stage to continue their media interviews.