TV series Awakening of Insects tells the story of how Chen Shan (left), a street layabout in Shanghai, grows into a heroic underground Communist that risks his life to defend the homeland. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Understanding context gives star of Awakening of Insects a deeper insight, Xing Wen reports.
It set the template for success and spawned many attempts to match its appeal, but few came close. Lurk, the smash hit 2009 TV series, highlighted the work and lives of underground Communist heroes before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Many other series tried to copy its formula for success but found that repeating history is difficult. Lurk received a rating score of 9.3 points out of total 10 on review site Douban.
Actors could only dream of becoming as bright and popular a star as Yao Chen, lead actress in Lurk.
But, for actor Zhang Ruoyun, 31, that dream came true. He stars in a new TV series, Awakening of Insects, which is being broadcast on Hunan Satellite TV.
He believes that to better show the complexity of the patriotic underground struggle in the war years, one has to fully digest background information, as well as context, and try to portray the character's psychology.
The Beijing Film Academy graduate is no stranger to spy thrillers. He has starred in Black Fox (2011) and Sparrow (2015) since he first broke into the entertainment industry in 2004.
TV series Awakening of Insects tells the story of how Chen Shan, a street layabout in Shanghai, grows into a heroic underground Communist that risks his life to defend the homeland. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Set during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), Awakening of Insects tells the story of how a street layabout in Shanghai, Chen Shan, grows into a heroic underground Communist that risks his life to defend the homeland.
Chen, to hide his true identity, succumbs to threats from the Japanese and turns traitor, while in reality aiding his countrymen to fight against the invaders. As the plot unfolds, Chen has to quash suspicions from both sides to maintain his secret identity. It's a tightrope act that keeps the audience enthralled.
Zhang says he chose the role because it is challenging, as the protagonist is not a hardcore hero at the start but gradually evolves into one. It is this transformation that is so gripping.
"Chen was not heroic at all in the beginning of the story," says Zhang. "Before being enlightened by patriotism, he was just an ordinary person who only cared about ensuring that he and his sister would survive those turbulent days."
In reality, Zhang relishes challenges. He says that as a young actor his passion for the craft grew stronger as roles on screen and stage came his way.
It is not only the thriller genre that he has mastered. Two years ago, he played two roles in the experimental theatrical work, The Three Sisters Waiting for Godot, directed by Lin Zhaohua and toured to Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities in the country.
"The experience gave me plenty of time to immerse myself in the story and to rehearse again and again," says Zhang who highlights the importance of theater where "I can immediately receive feedback from an audience".
TV series Awakening of Insects tells the story of how Chen Shan (second from left), a street layabout in Shanghai, grows into a heroic underground Communist that risks his life to defend the homeland. [Photo provided to China Daily]
In recent years, it has become a trend for espionage TV series to cast young actors and actresses as characters who end up romantically involved as part of the plot to attract a wider audience.
Sun Hao, director of Awakening of Insects, points out that some handsome or beautiful actors might fail to deliver an emotional performance that the audience can relate to. Beauty can sometimes get in the way of authenticity.
Fortunately, Zhang, Sun says, has the depth of range to bring the audience and viewers with him.
"A high-quality spy drama should be based on a well-grounded storyline and relationships between the characters," says Sun. "After all, no matter how audiences' tastes change, they will always be attracted by compelling tales."
Zhang adds that a clear realization of a character, flaws and all, is important for the young performers like him.
"When judging my performance is successful or not," he says, "I would take into consideration not only whether the character is popular among viewers, but also whether my performance rationally presents a full picture of the character's personality."
