It is not a “teaching example of how to speak”, today it is just the young Wu Lei
In “Tomb of the Sea”, he plays Li Cu, who grows up rapidly in a complex environment; in “Fights Break Sphere”, he transforms into the passionate young man Xiao Yan who fights back all the way; in “Shadow”, the heroic young general Yang Ping who is dedicated to defending his country, inevitably makes the audience feel “can’t let go”. As an actor, Wu Lei feels that the hardest thing to break through is himself. “First, I have to make myself feel that I have made a breakthrough, and then I can make the audience feel the same way. I have to overcome this hurdle myself first.” He has been working hard on this.
This boy
The day I interviewed Wu Lei was during the National Day holiday. The day before, Beijing was still gloomy and windy, but this day it became sunny and clear; this was just how I felt when I saw Wu Lei, full of sunshine. The young Wu Lei arrived at the shooting site with a backpack on his back. After greeting everyone, he quickly entered the dressing room to start preparing for work. From time to time, you can hear the cheerful chats between Wu Lei and the staff in the dressing room. This relaxed atmosphere gradually dissipated the tense atmosphere in the air, and at the same time swept away the fatigue of holiday work, and our conversation also kicked off.
Outside of work, Wu Lei’s biggest hobby is playing games. He said playfully that his favorite thing in life is filming, and the thing he hates most is someone knocking on the door while he’s playing games. Of course, you would guess that the still childish Wu Lei must feel most relaxed when filming and playing games. At this moment, the young Wu Lei declared, “I get up in the morning and open the window. It’s sunny outside with a breeze, and I feel very relaxed; or it’s drizzling outside, and I also feel very relaxed, after all I grew up in Shanghai. Of course, I also feel relaxed when I’m working. I’m especially lucky to be filming and creating with a group of staff. At that time, I feel very happy and relaxed.” This contrasting cuteness inadvertently reveals Wu Lei’s delicacy.
Wu Lei, who has a delicate appearance and an absolute height advantage, has participated in many blockbuster filmings, and his momentum is no less than that of professional models. Wu Lei, who recently is the ZARA Greater China brand ambassador, can definitely become a professional model, but he admits that he is not such a fashionable person, and his clothing and fashion concept is “simple and comfortable is the most important.” Although he has achieved some success in fashion, compared to fashion, Wu Lei has always been more fascinated by acting.
Capricorn boy
I believe that most people’s first impression of Wu Lei is Fei Liu, who is next to Mei Changsu in “Nirvana in Fire”, but this is not Wu Lei’s debut work. Wu Lei, who will be 19 years old at the end of the year, just enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy in September, but he entered the industry at the age of 3. Counting the years, Wu Lei is really a “veteran”.
After the military training, Wu Lei has transformed his expectations for school into a more intuitive “beauty” after entering university. We can feel the seriousness and affirmation in his eyes. Rationality is synonymous with the earth sign Capricorn. Wu Lei also has his own clear ideas on how to balance study and work. “Study hard and recharge well during college”, but it is inevitable that “if I encounter a role I like, I will still go out to film, and I will come out to work and participate in activities during the holidays.” When talking about the zodiac, Wu Lei said that he did not understand it, but when talking about Capricorn’s love of work, he couldn’t wait to agree that “I love work, I love work very much.”
In recent years, Wu Lei’s works seek quality rather than quantity. Whether it is Li Cu who grows up rapidly in a complex environment in “Tomb of the Sea”, the passionate young man Xiao Yan who fights back in “Fights Break Sphere”, or the young general Yang Ping in “Shadow” who is so heroic and dedicated to defending his country that many people feel “can’t let go”, each of his roles has left a deep impression on the audience. As an actor, Wu Lei feels that the most difficult thing is to break through himself. He hopes that everyone can see a different version of himself in different plays every time. “First, I have to make myself feel that I have made a breakthrough, and then I can make the audience feel the same way. I have to overcome this hurdle myself first.” Wu Lei has been trying to do this.
Shining Actor
Wu Lei, who has been acting since he was a child, encountered some setbacks in his role in the TV series “Tomb of the Sea”. When Wu Lei talked about this challenging role, he felt more immersed in it: “I think Li Cu is a relatively complex character with inner struggles and an extremely rebellious personality. He is an uncontrollable character. The plot that happened to him is also relatively complicated. He is a person who has grown rapidly in a short period of time. When I first started to figure out this role, I felt that it was not easy to play. But fortunately, the plot line is relatively long, and I have a lot of time to explore.” As a professional actor, Wu Lei is also looking forward to being able to perform more challenging roles that are in sharp contrast to himself. “I dare to play any role. The greater the contrast, the more I look forward to it!”
The day before the interview, Zhang Yimou’s new film Shadow, in which Wu Lei participated, was released. After the film was released, the audience called the emotional scenes between Yang Ping, played by Wu Lei, and Princess Qingping, played by Guan Xiaotong, “five-minute love”. On this point, Wu Lei seriously said that such love does not exist, “Love needs time to cultivate”, “Yang Ping is a simple character, fighting for his country and his father”, “How can it be love on the battlefield?” In this film, in addition to cooperating with director Zhang Yimou, he also co-starred with veteran actors such as Hu Jun. “Although I didn’t have many scenes, I still learned a lot.” When talking about the filming process, Wu Lei was more humble: “There is no specific one, but that period left a deep impression on me. It was very hot, and it was the hottest time. I wore armor and sweated profusely every day. But you can see that everyone on the set was sweating profusely but still worked very seriously and professionally at their jobs, including Director Zhang, who stared at every shot in front of the monitor without slacking off. You can always feel Director Zhang and his team’s passion and professional attitude towards the film, which left a deep impression on me and is also my role model.”
When talking about acting, Wu Lei always speaks with excitement. Even when talking about other topics, he will mention acting, as if he is always proud of his job. Looking at Wu Lei like this, he must be more than just handsome. The job of an actor is also silently making him shine even brighter.
This passionate comic about Wu Lei is hard to put down once you pick it up
If I don’t act, someone else will have to act it. So I’ll act.
Wu Lei
Whenever we look back at the many roles played by actor Wu Lei, we can’t help but forget that he was just a big boy who just celebrated his coming of age last year. He started shooting commercials at the age of 3 and started acting at the age of 5. In this bizarre adult world, Wu Lei is like the resolute and determined male protagonist in a boy’s comic, who devotes all his passion to it once he has decided what he wants.
When Wu Lei, who has his youthfulness faded and his facial lines became more firm, wearing a silver-white top and a diamond pendant with the word “Leo” on the brim of his hat half hanging between his eyebrows, he looked like a noble and cold prince in the ice and snow kingdom.
“Maocai” Boy, His quirky mix of styles is very real and enjoyable
Unfortunately, the coolness lasted only three seconds. A short question and answer instantly broke Sanshi didi*’s act…
*三石弟弟 is Wu Lei’s nickname
Q: You ranked first in the country for acting major. Were you surprised when the results came out?
Wu Lei: A little bit, but it’s okay. I’ll just work hard and prepare well.
Q: How was the exam? What did you perform?
Wu Lei: It was like passing levels. Each level was a different test. I performed sword dancing.
Q: What’s the most delicious dish in the school cafeteria?
Wu Lei: Luosifen**, Xiang Guo***, and wonton are all delicious.
**螺蛳粉 (snail rice noodle) is Chinese noodle soup and specialty of Liuzhou, Guangxi.
***香锅 (spicy stir-fry hot pot) is a type of Chinese dish from Chongqing.
Q: Without considering realistic factor, where would you like to live?
Wu Lei: Anywhere is fine, wherever my family is.
Q: The actor you most want to work with?
Wu Lei: Robert Downey Jr.
Q: What movie did you watch recently?
Wu Lei: The Godfather
Q: Describe yourself with a dish?
Wu Lei: Maocai****
****冒菜 is a stew-like dish originating from Chengdu. It is composed of a variety of vegetables as well as meat and/or fish in a stock made of mala sauce.
Describe yourself as “Maocai”? Trying to follow the brain circuit of Sanshi didi*, I think Wu Lei is telling everyone that he is fragrant, spicy and delicious! Well, Wu Lei is equal to Maocai, and the recent problem of what to eat is solved! But thinking about it carefully, he does look like a “Maocai” boy. Wu Lei has the vigorous aroma of a sunny boy, quick-witted and agile aura. Occasionally, he raises his eyebrows and smiles with a contrasting feeling of slight evil charm, equally piquant.
You can feel a kind of “mixed” or “conflicting” youthfulness from him. It is not simply immature and green, nor is it extremely passionate. He is lively and sunny, but also gentle and calm. His low-key and gentlemanly gestures and words cannot hide the sharpness of his youthful spirit.
Have you heard of Wu Lei’s six treasures for filming? Autumn clothes and long johns. Electric fan and ginger soup. Hot water thermos and foot soaks.
The warm-hearted Lei who has a 24-hour ultra-long standby time has a “six treasures words” that he always mentions to his fans. In short, it means to keep healthy in winter and cool in summer. He has already started to maintain his health at the age of 18. The auntie fans with motherly heart said they can relax.
After all, Wu Lei has been working in the crew for decades, and wearing winter clothes in summer and taking cold water in winter is already common. For filming, which requires endurance, keeping the body in the best condition at all times is also a manifestation of professionalism.
Wu Lei’s hard work and dedication at such a young age are amazing. He put on the 15 kg (30斤) armor without hesitation, experienced it with all his heart and deposited this heaviness in the image of the character Yang Ping. As a senior fan of “Fights Break Sphere”, after overcoming his psychological pressure, he tried his best to restore the Xiao Yan in his heart. He also challenged himself to play Li Cu, who is completely different from himself. When the play and life overlap, Wu Lei, like Li Cu in the play, was admitted to the university he had dreamed of for a long time with high scores.
Even though he said “acting itself is an art of regret”. But for the audience, it is hard to associate each role he has played with the same person, which is already an improvement. Besides, in addition to his improving acting skills, our Sanshi didi*’s high emotional intelligence is always online and will never disappoint people.
In addition to the famous age difference and girlish jokes, there are also various seductive scenes that are so exciting that ten issues are not enough. Straight men can learn from Wu Lei’s self-taught skills.
Soul Painter*****: One of a kind genuine leather watch
Some people appear mature and steady, but they are still young and immature at heart. Recently, Sanshi didi* wore a black suit to show his growing male hormones, and demonstrated the fashion rule that “a suit must be paired with a watch”. This limited edition watch is a new hand-painted work by Wu Lei brother who has just acquired the skills of a soul painter. He can do such a cute and funny thing seriously. He is really a delicate boy.
*****Soul painter is a slang for someone who draw badly
It seems that even after years of running wild in the bizarre entertainment industry, Wu Lei still maintains his original purity, just like the ordinary yet dazzling boy around him. He is indeed just a freshman who has just entered college, can play basketball and likes e-sports. He is sunny and considerate and often receives Mentos from excited girls on the way to the canteen, then gently says thank you and smiles warmly.
Even when facing fans, he would ask them to go home early, help them with their heavy suitcase, and he will wait online for the anniversary celebration from his fans. These two-way interactions will suddenly make you forget that he is the actor Wu Lei. He is just Wu Lei, no different from other freshmen.
Finally, here is a little easter egg of Wu Lei’s cover photo shoot. If you are still not satisfied, continue to experience the critical strike of Sanshi didi’s appearance.
Perhaps due to his personality, the 18-year-old Wu Lei doesn’t talk much. He is very restrained, which is rare among his peers, but his eyes are extremely clear and focused when he looks at people. Wu Lei was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy with the first place in the country in the acting major. he will enter the university and start a new life. The road of youth is long, and this young man with fine clothes and strong horses* has unlimited possibilities in the future.
*鲜衣怒马 used to describe young heroes who are full of vigor and vitality. This term not only describes the external luxury, but also emphasizes a kind of spiritual heroism and self-confidence.
The Joy of Acting
When talking about the new work “Shadow”, Wu Lei recalled the days of filming. It was a hot day, and he wore armor weighing 15 kg (30斤) every day and waved a big sword in front of the camera. This latest work directed by Zhang Yimou is scheduled to land in the theaters during the National Day on September 30. Wu Lei plays the role of the young general Yang Ping in the film. In the previously released trailer, there was a scene of a bloody sword cutting through water. Wu Lei was fully armed and his body was suspended. It took 17 shots to complete it. The external hardship is secondary. “In Director Zhang’s crew, there is pressure every minute and every second.” This kind of pressure was not given by Zhang Yimou. On the contrary, in Wu Lei’s eyes, Director Zhang was formidable**, but very friendly and would not put any pressure on him. The so-called pressure all came from himself, not from others.
**不怒自威 means someone who can make you feeling intimidated due to their dignified aura, even when they’re not being angry.
The leading actors of Shadow include Sun Li, Deng Chao, Wang Qianyuan and Hu Jun, all of whom are well-known actors who are good at acting. In the crew, there are also a group of very professional staff around. “You will involuntarily feel pressured and hope that you can be as professional and excellent as them.” There are many fighting scenes in Shadow, and the fighting scenes themselves are not a problem. Wu Lei will also do some physical training when he works out. Before the start of filming, there will be special action training for the fighting scenes in the play, but the most difficult part for Wu Lei is that he has to act while fighting. While fighting, he also have to pay attention to his facial expressions and release his emotions just right, which is not so easy to control.
This role is a challenge for the 18-year-old Wu Lei, but he likes this feeling. Every time he completes a shot, especially when it meets his expectations, he enjoys the satisfaction, just like making a three-pointer in basketball, which is very satisfying. In Wu Lei’s view, this “special satisfaction” is exactly the joy of acting.
Is Yang Ping in Shadow the most difficult role he has ever played? Wu Lei shook his head and said no. “How should I put it? Every time I act in a play, I always feel that the role is extremely difficult.” Every time he reads the script, he gets a headache, and feels from the bottom of his heart that the character he is about to play is particularly complicated. Wu Lei does not think that he is a complicated person. His experience is relatively simple. Apart from filming, there is little else. Like many child stars, he has been in and out of various crews since he was a child, playing roles such as the protagonist’s childhood or son. For child stars like him who have been acting since childhood, the window to observe the world is the crew.
Because child actors don’t spend much time in school, they often fall behind in their studies. For young actors who have been acting since childhood, their studies are somewhat different from those of ordinary children. They are familiar with all aspects of the crew and filming, but they know very little about some experiences that ordinary children have. Take Wu Lei for example, he doesn’t go to the supermarket to buy things like ordinary children, at least not in China.
In his words, “That would seriously affect other people’s shopping experience.” But he doesn’t have this worry when he goes abroad. When he goes to a supermarket abroad to buy things, no one will watch him. Someone once asked Wu Lei what he disliked most about being an actor. Wu Lei replied that it might be this lack of freedom.
If he is not filming, Wu Lei’s usual entertainment is to stay at home and watch movies, and occasionally go out to play basketball. Basically, most of his friends are also made in the crew. However, in Wu Lei’s opinion, “You can learn a lot even from chatting with people around you.” No matter how busy you are at work or how many things you have to do, as long as you pay attention, you can always find opportunities for “input”.
People Who Can’t Stop
Wu Lei likes acting. A life without acting is unimaginable to him. As an actor, he can do things that he cannot do normally, such as martial arts scenes, where he has the power to go up to Heaven and down to Underworld***. It feels like he is in the world punishing evildoers and eliminating evil.
***上天入地 decribed having great supernatural powerand also a metaphor for running around to achieve a certain goal.
He has had a hero complex since he was a child. He is a fanatic fan of Ultraman and has a special liking for movies about saving the earth. Since his youth, he has particularly liked superheroes like Iron Man, “The Avengers”, “Spider-Man”, etc. In short, they are all extraordinary characters.
In the past two years, as he grew up, the films he made were mostly fantasy or adventure-themed. For example, in Tian Can Tu Dou’s “Fights Break Sphere”, he played the leading male role Xiao Yan; in “Tomb of the Sea”, the sequel to “Grave Robbers’ Chronicles” written by Nan Pai San Shu, he played the leading male role Li Cu. “I’m a person who cannot stop, I like new things, and I can’t stand a particularly boring and stereotyped life.” As an actor, Wu Lei feels that he seems to be able to walk into different lives and experience different lives.
He has appeared in more than 50 TV series and 9 movies since his debut more than 10 years ago. He has been filming with his mother since he was 5 years old, such as the little Nezha in The Legend and the Heroes, the little Yang Guo in The Romance of the Condor Heroes, etc. Of course, the role that the audience is most familiar with is Fei Liu in “Nirvana in Fire”, a role that made him famous.
At a young age, he had suffered a lot for filming. When he was 11 years old, he accidentally cut himself while filming. Because the filming schedule was too tight, he didn’t get stitches. Later, the skin grew and left an indelible scar. Another time, his left hand was burned, it was horrible, but he just wrapped it with gauze.
Someone once asked if Wu Lei is a “mama’s boy”? In fact, he is just filial. Wu Lei once said that his mother was a big motivation for him to move forward. Now that he has grown up, he can no longer focus on playing. He hopes to be independent as soon as possible and not make his mother work too hard.
Hu Ge, who co-starred with Wu Lei in Nirvana in Fire, once commented on Wu Lei: “He entered society very early and has filmed so many dramas. He is more mature than his peers, but he does not have a unruly mentality. He is very upright, which is rare.” There are two key points in this statement, one is “mature” and the other is “upright”. The so-called maturity may be due to his personality. He doesn’t talk much. Few of his peers speak as restrainedly as he does. As for “upright”, his eyes looking at people are extremely clear and focused, which can easily make you believe that such a young man is naturally very “upright”, an “upright” person with a good family background.
The scenes he filmed when he were young were relatively simple. When Wu Lei was happy, he would smile from ear to ear, and when he was sad, he would cry loudly. Later, as he played more roles, his understanding of acting also increased. Acting cannot be superficial. If he wants to show something deeper, he must learn how to get into the role and integrate himself with the role.
Three years ago, after filming Nirvana in Fire, the 16-year-old Wu Lei said that his dream was to be a good actor. “Every actor doesn’t want to be stereotyped, so I really want to grow up, leave behind the identity of a child star, and show a more diverse and mature image of a man. I hope that in the future audiences can judge me as a good actor, that’s enough.”
From a child star to a good actor, the gap between them is actually very large. Perhaps, it require the process of transformation****. In this year’s art exam, Wu Lei was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy with the first place in the country in the acting major. In September, he will enter university for further studies. He will only turn 19 at the end of this year, and his youth is still long. This young man with fine clothes and strong horses has unlimited possibilities in the future
****脱胎换骨 is to shed one’s mortal body and exchange one’s bones. It’s an idiom means to change wholly.
Talk to Wu Lei
mu: What are your expectations for the upcoming college life?
Wu Lei: I look forward to studying hard. I also hope to have some good brothers in college. Most of my current friends are people I met on the set, because I usually spend a lot of time on set.
mu: After entering college, in what aspects do you hope to improve further?
Wu Lei: All aspects, everything about actors. Many actors start their acting career in college. I started earlier than them, so I have to settle down during college. As a person, including all aspects of acting, there is still a lot of room for improvement, and I believe that I will be able to improve in college.
mu: Acting in “Shadow” is your first time to work with Director Zhang Yimou. What kind of help did he give you?
Wu Lei: Working with Director Zhang is just the normal communication between a director and an actor. Director Zhang is a world-class director, and his crew is a golden combination. There is no need to say much about professionalism. The key is their seriousness and enthusiasm when filming, which touched me deeply and benefited me a lot.
mu: You can learn different things in different teams, right?
Wu Lei: Yes, the crew of “Tomb of the Sea” is a young team. The director and photographer are both graduates of the Beijing Film Academy. I have absorbed a lot of fresh ideas and concepts from them. And the director of “Fights Break Sphere” is Yu Rongguang, who is very experienced and capable. I have learned a lot of practical and experienced experience from him.
mu: What efforts have you made for “Shadow”?
Wu Lei: Not just “Shadow”. In fact, I put a lot of effort into every play. The most tiring one is actually “Fights Break Sphere”, which has a lot of scenes, more than a thousand scenes, and there are not many scenes without me in the whole play. “Fights Break Sphere” took a full six months to shoot, and I went to six or seven places across the country, including Guizhou, Yunnan, etc. I was tired but happy, because I’m a fan of the novel “Fights Break Sphere”, and I was fascinated from beginning to end.
mu: “Fights Break Sphere” and “Tomb of the Sea” are two new dramas this year, and you played the leading role in both of them. What is the difference between these two roles for you?
Wu Lei: Xiao Yan in “Fights Break Sphere” and Li Cu in “Tomb of the Sea” are both passionate young men, but Xiao Yan is not as weak and helpless as Li Cu. He is more positive and knows what he wants when he appears. He has a clear goal from beginning to end. Li Cu is constantly exploring and gradually finding himself. He has his own flaws and is not a perfect character. This character has more layers.
mu: So the role of Li Cu is more challenging for you?
Wu Lei: Li Cu’s personality is more negative and extreme, which is somewhat different from the roles I played before, and is not very similar to my own personality. I need to figure out the character well, and figure out his psychology by reading novels and scripts.
mu: How to figure it out?
Wu Lei: Imagination. Actors need imagination. Imagine what it would be like if this happened to such a person, and what kind of reaction and actions he would make.
mu: Are there any scenes that impressed you deeply?
Wu Lei: Yes, for example, walking in the desert and struggling in the water in “Tomb of the Sea”, and the breaking of the engagement and revenge in “Fights Break Sphere” all left a deep impression on me. These scenes that impressed me have one thing in common, that is, they have a greater impact on the fate of the characters in the play. It’s the kind of “powerful plot”.
mu: After filming, will you have any regrets when you look back at the drama?
Wu Lei: There are regrets in every drama. For example, in “Fights Break Sphere”, I’m a loyal reader of the novel, and I feel that some plots in the original novel are missing, which is quite regrettable. But this drama also presents the whole story, so I’m quite satisfied. There are also some plots in the original novel of “Tomb of the Sea” that cannot be restored in the drama.
mu: Are you satisfied with your performance in these two dramas?
Wu Lei: It doesn’t matter if I’m satisfied, the audience must be satisfied.
mu: Are you afraid of repeating yourself when filming?
Wu Lei: Yes, actors hope that each of their roles is unique, and of course they will worry that these roles will be difficult for the audience to distinguish.
mu: Will you deliberately take on different types of roles in the future?
Wu Lei: I don’t know. I think the most important thing when accepting a role is to read the script.
mu: Have you ever thought about what kind of life you might live if you didn’t act?
Wu Lei: Maybe there will be other alternatives. But I think a life without acting is unimaginable.
There is a saying in the southeast region: “16 years old means leaving the garden”. It means that the child has grown up and can leave the garden. He is no longer a child playing in the garden all day.
Wu Lei’s high degree of professionalism made him leave the garden earlier than his peers. In his stormy growth, he became an adult who is occasionally childish but very sensible, smart and lively, and calm in the face of adversity.
On Wu Lei’s bookshelf, there are six special section, with markers marking the six subjects for liberal arts students. The math section had the most exercise books, and it was also the one that gave him the most headaches. On the cover of his math homework book, he wrote the words “天书” (The Book of Heaven). He changed the lock screen of his phone to “戒” (give up/quit) to remind himself not to play games; when he was sleepy, he wrote “不睡” (don’t sleep) on the back of his hand as a self-suggestion. Only at such moments, when I heard the rustling sound of pencils scratching white paper, did I remember that he is an ordinary senior high school student preparing to enter the Beijing Film Academy.
At the age of 16, the road to adulthood is destined to be full of obstacles
What choice will a young man make when faced with desire? Wu Lei gave the answer in “Asura”. When the film was shot, he was only 16 years old. For the first time in his life, he took on a leading role (in movie), playing the happy shepherd boy Ruyi. He was dressed in coarse linen, holding a hoe, and on the cowhide bag across his body was a hemp rope with arrows hanging from it. His eyes were dramatic, clear and powerful, and behind him was a forest full of exotic flowers and plants.
This Chinese fantasy masterpiece, which cost 750 million yuan to create, sought out unique locations that are rarely visited by people in order to show the unique scenes: the boundless sea of desire and the palace on the sea. Wu Lei followed the crew and visited Huoshizhai in Xiji, Ningxia, Kanbula Forest Park, Ashgun in Qinghai, and Maba Village. “The Northwest really has its own filter, it’s so beautiful and vast. In such an environment, it’s easy for me, a shepherd boy, to get into the role.“
Some places have no water or electricity, and the ultraviolet rays are strong, and he must not get tanned. The crew members were most impressed by the fact that they went to the mountains to shoot, where there was no access by car, only by boat. At dawn, they boarded the boat to go into the mountains to film, and finished work at nightfall. One day, during the boat trip, rocks rolled down. Wu Lei prefers to find joy in adversity, “The Northwest is really bold, the scenery is beautiful, and even the food is huge. The bowl of dumpling soup is huge, bigger than my face.“
The local altitude is very high, and Wu Lei had nosebleeds seven or eight times a day. He smiled and said, “Maybe it’s too dry. I’ll just drink more water next time I go there.” Ming Dao, an actor in the same group, revealed that “Brother Lei didn’t sleep well and often suffered from insomnia.” During the filming, he also learned parkour and climbed on a 90-degree cliff. British parkour prince Damien Walter served as his action director. Before joining the group, Wu Lei did a lot of strength training, and the strong muscles he later showed in variety shows were trained at that time.
When it came to the actual filming, veteran martial artists said that Wu Lei’s performance on the cliff was more agile than that of professional martial artists. Injuries were inevitable, but he just regarded them as bumps and bruises. “This is unavoidable, and there is nothing much to say. As long as the ultimate result can be achieved, it doesn’t matter if the process is hard. Besides, I don’t feel it’s hard, and I enjoy it.” Later, director Zhang Peng concluded: “Wu Lei has a motivation to shape himself into a good actor.”
This year, Wu Lei has another drama to be aired, “Tomb of the Sea”, a new work in the grave robber series of Nanpai Sanshu. During the filming, he often crossed mountains and ridges. He filmed in the desert for a month or two. The weather was dry and the temperature difference between day and night was large. The staff was digging sand every day. “You must be with the main team when you are on the move, otherwise you can’t tell the direction at night, everything is the same, there is no difference”, but in his eyes, the hardest-working ones are the directors and crew, “They were white and tender when they went there, but they were all black as charcoal when they came back.”
At the age of 17, young man, don’t panic, take two steps forward
Wu Lei’s final scene in “Fights Break Sphere” was a big scene in martial arts competition. The moment he finished filming, he just wanted to look up to the sky and shout, “I’m done!” The crew moved to many places. Most of the scenes in Yunnan were outdoor scenes, including the Jiulong Waterfall in Qujing, the rapeseed flower fields in Luoping, ethnic minority villages, and then to Duyun Film and Television City, and finally to Hengdian and Xiangshan.
During that time, Wu Lei frequently traveled between Guiyang, Kunming, Ningbo and other cities where he was going to work. When the filming was finished, he “felt a little reluctant, but also relieved.” The protagonist Xiao Yan in the play is the same age as him, both 18 years old. In the released stills, Wu Lei holds a weapon, has a unique Jianghu temperament, and is calm and smart.
In 2009, the writer Tian Can Tu Dou published “Fights Break Sphere” on Qidian Chinese website. Wu Lei was only 9 years old that year. Two years later, the book was completed and became a phenomenal IP masterpiece. As a fan of the book, he wanted to play Xiao Yan well, and the pressure was imaginable. “At first, I felt that Xiao Yan’s weapon, the Heavy Xuan Ruler, did not match the description of the ‘black giant sword, extremely heavy’ in the book. I discussed it with the director for a long time, and finally got the current look.”
In Wu Lei’s eyes, Xiao Yan is also so persistent. “I liked him when I read the novel. He was persistent at the beginning and decisive later.” In the place called Douqi Continent, practicing Douqi can determine the direction of life. Xiao Yan is the most talented child in the family, but he became useless overnight and was looked down upon. When he was about to despair, a ray of soul emerged from the black ring on his hand. With the help of the soul in the ring – Yao Lao, Xiao Yan stepped towards the peak of Douqi Continent.
Muchen, assistant of Tian Can Tu Dou, once said that he did not think that Tu Dou was the one with a “black ring” on his hand, and that his energy came more from hard work and diligence. This is similar to Wu Lei. What people know is that he started filming commercials at the age of three, TV series at the age of five, played Hu Ge’s childhood in “The Young Warriors”, played the young Nezha in “The Legend and the Hero”, and won the Children’s Feitian Award for “Naughty Boy Ma Xiaotiao”…
In fact, in Wu Lei’s acting career, “little Yang Liulang” is already his third drama, “Ma Xiaotiao” is his 31st, and “little Yang Guo” is 48th. In addition to costume dramas, he has also acted in a large number of Republican dramas. At the age of ten, he played “someone else’s husband” in “Niang Qi”. When facing a scene where he chased away his love rival, he pondered for a long time: “How can a child have the strength to chase away an adult?” “Nirvana in Fire”, which made him popular with the audience, is already his 52nd work. So far, Wu Lei has been in the industry for ten years.
In “Fights Break Sphere”, he roared out the words “Thirty years at Hedong, thirty years at Hexi. Don’t bully the poor young man*”, which shocked people. A sunny boy has gone through his most adventurous growth journey. Fighting spirit, passion, youth, Wu Lei’s performance at this age is just right, and his personal experience is enough to support the character. Just like the saying circulating in the Douqi Continent: If one day, you fall off a cliff and fall into a cave, don’t panic, take two steps forward. Perhaps, you will become a strong man.
*Hedong is east of the river. Hexi is west of the river. This saying means that someone’s fate isn’t constant. Someone who is weak now might become strong in the future and vice versa.
At the age of 18, the world outside the window is waiting for him
According to incomplete statistics from fans, Wu Lei flew at least 58 flight routes in 2017 and visited 23 cities. There was the dry and cold Bayanchol, and the flowing water of Lijiang. He went to Jiami and Zhangjiajie to record variety shows, and flew to Los Angeles to do motion capture for the film. To celebrate the birthday of Madame Tussauds, he flew to Hong Kong for the second time in his life. Knowing Wu Lei’s wish to become a “movie king”, the wax museum also gave him a little golden statue.
In this way, Wu Lei turned 18. L’OFFICIEL photographer Dalong Yang photograph him this year, and the theme of the photo shoot was “From Boy to Male God**”. At first, Dalong asked him to hug a pillow on the sofa and act playful; then he moved to a high stool and acted like a teenager in deep thought. “Seeing that everyone was tired, in order to liven up the atmosphere, when I asked him to pose in deep thought, he would make a very funny expression, exaggerated and hard, as if he was racking his brains.”
**男神 is a general term for men who are out of reach and considered to be very attractive, usually referring to the object of girls’ admiration or idol.
In the final photoshoot, Wu Lei was wrapped in a black sweater and used his hands to block out the sun. Dalong said, “It was as if the world outside the window was waiting for him. From boy Wu Lei to actor Wu Lei, he was welcoming this moment.” When he was young, Wu Lei said many times: Studying is my main job, and acting is my hobby. To this day, he has not said it for sure: “I don’t know if being an actor will be my lifelong career, but it will definitely be my lifelong interest.”
Before his 18th birthday ceremony, Wu Lei was also obsessed with being an actor. He was called “tone-deaf” because he sang the song “Gardenia Blossoms” on “Happy Camp”. But now he is practicing singing for his coming-of-age ceremony. “I originally refused. As an actor, I should act. I even thought about rehearsing a big play, but the team rejected it. If I don’t sing or dance, I can’t invite everyone to a tea party, right?“
In the recording studio, he ate shaomai from a takeaway box and started coughing after singing for a while. He was still catching a cold at the time, and thought it might be because the dust in the studio was too heavy, and it was difficult to recover from the illness. In order to rehearse the sword dance, this young man who can fly in ancient costume dramas felt his hands and feet were the same for the first time, and found that dancing is more tiring than fitness. Indeed, Wu Lei entered the industry with acting, and his experience over the years has been focused on acting itself.
Recalling the year he played the role of Little Nezha, he and his mother arrived in Hengdian late at night and couldn’t find a hotel, suspecting they were scammed. After much difficulty, he joined the crew, wearing a dudou in the middle of winter to shoot the water scene, and his whole body was frozen red. Wu Lei only remembers shooting day and night, and had no idea about acting, thinking that he would stop after this film. He never thought that he would get more and more excited as he acted, “Once you start on the road of acting, you can’t quit.” Compared with his peers, he lost a lot of childhood fun and gained a lot of love from everyone.
“We grow up day by day / In my memory, the rain never stops / Summer vacation ends with the sound of cicadas / It’s time to get a haircut again in the new school year.” The song “Childhood” sung to his fans contains his school days that he rarely experienced. Now, Wu Lei only desires a perfect college life, “Meeting many new friends, playing basketball together on the court, eating in the cafeteria with student cards, and doing homework with classmates in the rehearsal hall. That kind of life is very exciting just to think about.“
Q&A
What did you learn from your senior Tony Leung Ka Fai when filming “Asura”?
Wu Lei: Ka Fai ge was involved in everything on the set, and he often warned everyone not to litter, and he took the lead in doing so. He was also a very dedicated actor, taking every scene seriously, and this attitude infected everyone on the set, making me unconsciously treat every shot with higher standards. When I was filming with Ka Fai ge and Ga Ling jie, I felt like I was taking an exam every day at first, and I was very nervous, but I also learned a lot. Now that I think about it, I should have performed well, haha! I hope everyone will support the movie when it is released.
After working with Tony Leung Ka Fai and Carina Lau, what Cantonese words do you know? Are there any Hong Kong movies you like to watch?
Wu Lei: There is a Cantonese word “磊好哇” (Lei Hao Wa), which means “雷猴, which is “Hello” in Cantonese. It was a name I got when I was recording “Who’s the Keyman” some time ago. It’s very Hong Kong style haha! There are so many classic Hong Kong movies I like, such as “In the Mood for Love”, “Chungking Express”, “Infernal Affairs”, etc. I have watched many movies several times.
In “Who’s the Keyman”, you’re very good at solving problems and decoding. Why are you so good at puzzle games?
Wu Lei: Fortunately, I used to like to read mystery novels, such as “Journey Under the Midnight Sun”, “The Devotion of Suspect X”, “Modern Times” by Kotaro Isaka, “Ship of Theseus”… When encountering similar situations, I will associate them. The staff have the most powerful imaginations, and they can think of so many wonderful plots. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I find the key clues. In the previous episodes, I was quite good at unlocking locks, and everyone called me the lock king.
On your 18th birthday, the crew of “Tomb of the Sea” recorded a blessing video for you. What unforgettable memories do you have of this birthday?
Wu Lei: I also had an unforgettable birthday party when I was 18. I have always considered myself an actor. I rarely stand on the stage to sing, dance, play guitar, or perform shows. This is a challenge for me, but also a gift to my fans. The time I have spent together is a gift to me.
Director Zhang Yimou praised you for “performing well, not being late or leaving early, and having a bright future.” What did you learn from working with the director?
Wu Lei: Too many. Every day I was filming with Director Zhang, I was constantly learning. Every time I received Director Zhang’s affirmation, I was very happy and felt that I was really making progress. The director was like he was creating 24 hours a day, and he had very clear ideas about what he wanted. We often discussed, for example, whether this scene would be better this way, and the whole process was very enjoyable!
The pace of work has been very fast in recent years. If you had a few days off, what would you like to do?
Wu Lei: I want to go out and play, but they told me that I can only have two days off (smiley face). Hahaha, just kidding. Actually it’s pretty much what everyone wants to do, play games, play basketball, go shopping, etc. Oh, and I also want to skydive.
Do you have any dietary requirements when working out? Do you have any particular favorite foods?
Wu Lei: I love eating sweet potato balls, but I don’t eat them when I’m working out.
What do you do on a long journey of more than ten hours?
Wu Lei: Sleep, listen to music, read books, play games.
After the college entrance examination, what do you plan to do with your “Five Years of College Entrance Examination and Three Years of Simulation”?
Wu Lei: Take a group photo with all sad tears.
Choose three days without your phone or three days without your assistant?
Wu Lei: The assistant might go crazy.
Where did I find the work phone I lost on the set of “Who’s the Keyman”?
Wu Lei: At the shooting location. Because I couldn’t find my phone, the evidence search site was temporarily turned into a phone search site.
What are the troubles of being handsome, having a good figure and being popular?
Wu Lei: Aiyo, stop talking like that, I’m so shy.
Have you played games today? What games did you play?
Wu Lei: Oh, I have already quit playing games. I’m saving them for later. To play them together after the exam!
Have you ever been “tricked” by Nanpai Sanshu’s big pit?
Wu Lei: Of course. When filming “Tomb of the Sea”, we dug sand in the big pit in the desert every day. I really want Sanshu to experience it.
Have you ever scratched yourself with a razor?
Wu Lei: I think so… I lack skills.
What is the most incredible gift you have received when you become adult?
Wu Lei: Birthday party, thank you all for coming to spend a special and unforgettable day with me.
Have you scheduled your driver’s license test?
Wu Lei: I’ve always planned it, but it’s never been on my schedule.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what movie, TV show, or game would you bring with you?
Wu Lei: The Revenant.
What superpower would you like to have to help you in your career?
Wu Lei: Teleportat. It’s so important.
What is the secret to memorizing lines?
Wu Lei: The key is understanding. If you understand the scene thoroughly, you will naturally feel involved and it will be easier to memorize lines.
Whose basketball games have you watched using mobile data?
Wu Lei: A lot. I have 40 g of data a month. I don’t mind.
Which one would you choose when playing basketball, being knocked down or being blocked?
Wu Lei: I would say the other person’s sneakers are fake.
Can you accurately identify whether your fangirls are wearing makeup?