Huayu Entertainment: The Birth of a Succubus Top Star

Harbin, August 2026.

The harsh winter continues to loom over the entire film and television industry.

Blockbuster films are failing to capture audiences' attention, formulaic plots are breaking down, and a wave of film withdrawals is sweeping across theaters. Special effects blockbusters built on massive capital investment are experiencing a double collapse in both critical reception and box office performance, and hasty, assembly-line productions are being rapidly eliminated by the market.

Just as the internet was still buzzing about Gu Zhiyan's milestone achievement of becoming the first actor in the Chinese entertainment industry to reach 60 billion yuan in box office revenue, and deeply reviewing the industry miracle of "A Love Letter to Grandma" achieving 3 billion yuan in box office revenue against the odds with its sincerity, a highly valuable private invitation quietly arrived.

Gu Zhiyan was specially invited to attend the 7th Jackie Chan International Action Film Week as a leading figure among the new generation of filmmakers.

Those in the industry know perfectly well that this film week has never been a mere formality or a commercial event.

It possesses the power to shake the entire Chinese film industry, enabling top directors such as Wang Jing, Tang Jili, Lin Chaoxian, Feng Xiaogang, Chen Desen, and Chen Xunqi to cancel all their schedules and rush to Harbin; it can gather veteran filmmakers from the golden age of Hong Kong films such as Dillon, Ren Dahua, Zhao Yazhi, Zeng Zhiwei, Yu Rongguang, and Tao Hong; and it can also bring together several generations of action actors such as Shi Xiaolong, Xie Miao, Qian Jiale, and Jiang Luxia.

Half of the Chinese-language action film industry has returned to its rightful place overnight.

This year's grand ceremony boasts an unprecedentedly luxurious lineup.

Jackie Chan served as the initiator, with Hollywood director Timur Bekomanbetov serving as the chairman of the jury. Tang Jili, Tony Jaa, Huang Yuetai, Chen Zhixi, Liu Tao, Wu Yue, Jonathan Mosto, and Iko Uyes also served as judges.

The five hosts, Lan Yu, Du Jiang, Wang Zulan, Lin Xiaofeng, and Anna, maintained a steady pace throughout the ceremony, creating a solemn yet heartwarming atmosphere.

On the night of the grand ceremony, Harbin was hit by a torrential downpour.

The torrential rain swept across the entire Ice and Snow World, soaking the long red carpet and spilling over the sky stage, while the cold night wind carried the rain and mist incessantly.

Despite the storms and rain, they could not extinguish the burning passion of a generation of filmmakers who were deeply rooted in the world of film.

The powerful beams of light on the stage pierced through the deep night and penetrated through layers of rain, steadily illuminating every figure who persevered in the rain and remained true to their original aspirations, both on and off stage.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team. Fifty years of trials and tribulations, fifty years of passing on the torch, make this film week even more meaningful.

As the ceremony officially began, Jackie Chan stepped onto the stage alone through the puddles, without an umbrella or seeking shelter from the rain, letting the drizzle fall on his shoulders, displaying an open and upright demeanor.

He bowed deeply to the filmmakers from home and abroad and the thousands of audience members below the stage, and his gentle yet firm opening remarks instantly melted away the chill of the rainy night: "Our passion remains unchanged through wind and rain, and our sincerity will never betray the light and shadow of film."

These eight short characters encapsulate the unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment of action filmmakers over the past decades.

On a rainy night, stars walked the red carpet in droves, each frame exuding the elegance of time and the gentle light and shadow.

The first thing to ignite heated discussions across the internet that night was the rare and memorable scene of Liu Tao and Xu Fan appearing together.

The two women coincidentally wore black dresses, one dignified and the other gentle, one solemn and the other serene. The collision of these two extreme temperaments instantly captured the attention of all the cameras.

Liu Tao, who served as a member of the jury this year, appeared in a black haute couture cape gown. The clean cut accentuated her tall and elegant figure, and the minimalist design exuded sophistication and elegance. With her long hair neatly pulled back, her calm and composed demeanor and poised presence made her walk the red carpet with a straight posture and commanding a powerful aura, resembling a confident and commanding "female boss of the film industry."

Having fought her way up from the bottom, she has gained a foothold with her tenacity as a "workaholic". Now, she sits as a professional judge and serves as the image promotion ambassador for Mazu. Every gesture she makes exudes the professionalism and confidence that comes with years of experience.

Xu Fan, a distinguished guest at the ceremony, exuded a completely different, relaxed, and classical charm.

At 57, she wore a black embroidered cheongsam-style long dress, the delicate patterns hugging her figure, fully showcasing the gentle and elegant charm of the East.

Her neat short hair was clean and elegant, and her expression was calm and serene. She didn't try to look young or create hype. She simply went to a movie date with peace and tranquility.

Wearing the same black outfit, they embodied two different mindsets and two different styles: one was the rigorous and solemn demeanor of a professional judge, and the other was the composed and serene demeanor of a seasoned filmmaker observing the ceremony. The contrast was striking, creating a powerful atmosphere.

Following closely behind, 72-year-old Zhao Yazhi arrived in the rain in a long purple gauze dress, her clothes fluttering in the wind. Her gentle and elegant features perfectly captured the unparalleled charm of the Hong Kong martial arts era, evoking countless youthful memories.

In a corner of the red carpet, veteran Hong Kong film friends such as Dillon, Yam Tat-wah, and Chan Hung-ki met by chance in the rain and exchanged pleasantries. Their lifelong friendship was evident in their smiles and gestures of greeting, a gesture that was both gentle and comforting.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Gu Zhiyan, dressed in a minimalist dark suit, slowly walked out in the rain.

At that time, Gu Zhiyan was the first actor in the Chinese entertainment industry to have a box office of 600 billion yuan, and his popularity on the entire internet was unchallenged.

In the harsh winter of 2026, when the film and television market plummeted and blockbusters collectively shrank and flopped, only it defied the trend and broke through 60 billion yuan in cumulative box office. It conquered all genres, achieving both critical and commercial success, becoming the best example of "winning with sincerity" in the entire industry.

Media swarmed in for interviews, their cameras blazing, focusing on the most crucial industry issues of the year:

"Many top-tier blockbusters were withdrawn from release this year and flopped, while the low-budget heartwarming film 'Letters to Grandma' defied the trend and grossed 3 billion yuan. What are your thoughts on the current film market?"

Raindrops pattered down onto his shoulders. Gu Zhiyan's expression was calm and clear, his gaze open and serene, his words earnest and sincere:

"The market is undergoing a complete demystification and reshuffling. Capital can pile up special effects, star lineups, and publicity, but it can never build a resonance in people's hearts."

Tricks will become outdated, and hype will fade; only steadfast dedication to hard work, sincere stories, and heartfelt performances are the strongest weapons to weather the industry's downturn.

His insightful and clear-headed remarks directly addressed the industry's pain points, earning nods of approval from the film industry professionals present. The clip quickly went viral and was hailed as the industry's golden quote of 2026.

The atmosphere reached its peak as the red carpet event came to a close.

Jackie Chan and his stunt team, spanning from the first to the tenth generation, reunited for the first time in their 50th anniversary celebration, making a grand finale appearance.

Dozens of martial arts actors lined up neatly, marching forward in the rain, their postures as upright as pine trees.

Fifty years of trials and tribulations, countless scars accumulated, this group of unsung heroes behind the scenes, risking their lives to uphold half of the glory of Chinese action films. The scene of them lining up in the rain is solemn and shocking.

As the red carpet event concluded and guests took their seats, the torrential rain continued unabated, yet the atmosphere inside the venue was filled with passion and warmth.

The lights suddenly dimmed, and the entire venue fell silent.

The giant screen slowly lit up, playing behind-the-scenes documentary clips from decades of Chinese action movies.

The footage shows stunt performers falling from great heights countless times, being repeatedly slammed and battered, and reshooting with injuries; it shows bruises and scars unknown to anyone, perseverance through gritted teeth, and dedication to refining their movements time and time again.

Behind those sharp and exciting shots on the screen lies the struggle of flesh and blood, and the dedication of nameless people.

As the light and shadow shifted, countless filmmakers in the audience quietly had tears in their eyes.

In a world saturated with special effects, rampant clichés, and where everyone seeks shortcuts to success, this kind of simple, sincere, and unwavering dedication is all the more precious and irreplaceable.