Translator’s Note: This article comes from Madame Figaro Hommes 2019 Oct Issue.
The Summer of 2019 made us remember the name Xiao Zhan. From the stage to the silver screen, from an idol to an actor, he had not stopped sprinting and transforming, and give us endless reasons to be moved by him. His speedy rise to fame is traceable. Sincere, kind, hardworking, thankful, a desire to become better, and the pursuit of strict professionalism. Everyone who has seen Xiao Zhan has complete reason to believe that his rise to fame is not limited; his character and qualities will definitely withstand the test of time.
About the Present
Recently, Xiao Zhan had been busy with the shooting of a drama “The Oath of Love”, which was adapted from a novel, and in this highly anticipated drama, his role is that of a doctor named Gu Wei. The busy work schedule had caused Xiao Zhan to start dividing his time by precise minute pieces; the tight and fast pace of life subconsciously shaped his perception about living. Since one and a half years ago, Xiao Zhan barely returned home, and after every brief rest period, he quickly devoted himself into the next piece of work. His luggage that he brings to his shoots were very simple, he said that the things he really needed were very little, but the only thing he insisted on was to buy the same type of pillow, that he is accustomed to sleep on, whenever he reached a new city. This is the familiarity and sense of security he brings with him wherever he goes.
From his external environment, his bare minimal requirements of just “a pillow” is all that he needs for familiarity and sense of security. Internally, his sense of security comes from how assured he is with his dreams, how clear he is with his goals and how protective he is with his individuality. The most important source of his sense of security comes from his work – the endless traveling between cities, the meeting of different people, the highly dense work schedule. These not only did not exhaust him, but instead, gave him more energy. If he were to imagine himself lying at home, doing nothing, he said “I might go crazy”. The love and attention from his fans are also a source of energy to him – when he spoke of the letters and messages from his fans, he was actually slightly shy. All these warm words of encouragement and concern, not only touched him, but also gave him an invisible sense of responsibility. These “sweet pressure” gave him his quiet determination, and encouraged him to become a better person.
About the Past
When Xiao Zhan graduated from high school 10 years ago, he was so lost and confused that he was not even sure what he was confused about. At that point in time, he never thought that he would be doing a job that he is extremely passionate about, as well as being liked by so many people. This imagery touched him deeply, and after some deep thoughts, he said seriously “If there was a chance meeting, I will tell the ‘me’ 10 years ago – you can be young and proud, you can even be arrogant and prideful, but you need to respect the others, and cherish every person who loves you”. When the topic shifted to unrealized dreams, Xiao Zhan regretfully expressed that he has not been able to bring his parents around the world. He did not find any excuses for himself, but said confidently that “there will definitely be a chance to realize it”.
On the topic of his changes in the past 10 years, Xiao Zhan joked “Obviously that I have lost 30lbs of weight”. When asked what was the juncture that caused this change, he thought deeply for a moment, and replied “Because it was ugly”, and after which he chortled in spite of himself. After seriously recounting these past 10 years, he understood many things that he did not quite understand previously. Now, he has determined his direction and goal in the acting career – that is to work hard to become an acceptable actor, even if that meant minute progress everyday; even if this type of progress would come with a bigger sense of defeat.
Every decision made in the recent years were all decided by Xiao Zhan, even if it might have resulted in a longer path, he never regretted it. He said that he could no return to the past and make those “better choices”, but if time were to reverse once, the “Xiao Zhan” at that time, might have still made the same decisions again. Without the past him making those decisions, there would not be the clearheaded determined Xiao Zhan of now. To him, being himself is more important than being flawless.
About the Future
In this era where idols a mass produced, too many have risen and fallen overnight; the speed of which they are replaced can be in months, even as short as weeks. These appears to be of not much relation to actor Xiao Zhan – he is working hard on his path of becoming a good actor, with is own targets and references. “What we do today must be better than yesterday’s, what we do tomorrow must be better than today’s” – this is the happiness and success in Xiao Zhan’s view. When asked if the Xiao Zhan 10 years later would be satisfied with what he has now, Xiao Zhan laughed “Oh my god, the 28 year old me would jump the gun and tell the 38 year old me don’t go overboard, because I am really doing my best now.”
Xiao Zhan said that as he ages, he starts to realize what he truly wants, but the uncertainty and his mastery will also increase along with that. His assurance and self confidence are built from the most basic methods – clear targets and always looking ahead. When we think of the name “Xiao Zhan” 10 years later, what reason could that be due to? He said that he hoped it would be because he had participated in a superb work, acted in a role that he loved. With regards to his future, Xiao Zhan still held on to the most basic and yet most extreme dream that an actor could have. He only hoped that after living seriously for the people in the stories, he could leave a ripple the passage of time, such that he would still be remembered by some.
This is the must caring, kind, respect to the other, hardworking also know what his goal is. I hve see many show actor & actress and like them but now I only like him after seeing the untamed and can see how he made this show alive. His eye & smile hve brightness my day as a cancer patient. He is also care for other & his fan even some haters hate him. How can you do such a wicked thing to a loving & caring person of 28yr. How would they feel if someone hurt you or your children. Hater be kind heart God will see you.