ZaiZai exclusive interview @ Mars Guang Zhou Meet & Greet
Date: May 27, 2005

Translated by grendel of Vic Power


ZaiZai exclusive interview: eager to act with depth at 24
Too immersed in his character, fell in "love" with Da S

Reporter: You play two separate characters in Mars, especially Ling whose personality is so different from your own. Did you come by any particular insight while you were acting this role?

ZaiZai: Ling’s dark side is not much like me of course, nut his determination and courage towards love is quite the same as me. On the contrary, it is Sheng who I don’t like because I feel he is too weak. The real me is not like him. My personality is more changeable.

Reporter: This is the 3rd time you’ve worked together with Da S. Are there any plans of establishing a new love team for the silver screen, like Qin Han and Lin Qing Xia before? Does working too many times with Da S make you feel anesthetized and think about teaming up with another actress?

ZaiZai: I’m not a person who believes in "In with the new and out with the old". I feel very happy to be able to work with Da S again and earn everyone’s approval. As for Qin Han and Lin Qing Xia, haha, it would be great if I could achieve what they have. Both I and Da S are very engrossed in our characters. Because there are a lot of passionate scenes there will inevitably be times when it gets awkward. At some point I will also feel that I’ve fallen in love with the female lead character. Fortunately I am still able to dissociate myself the moment the director yells 'Cut!' I don’t have the right to choose which actress I work with, but I will most certainly be able to work with other actresses and create a new kind of spark.

Reporter: F4 is said to have benefited the most from the success of Taiwan idol dramas. "Meteor Garden" made the four of you popular throughout Asia, and for the past two years there have been more and more Taiwan idol dramas. What is your opinion on that?

ZaiZai: It’s not necessarily a bad thing to have so many. On the contrary, I would like to see more outstanding artists from Taiwan aside from F4 and Jay Chou popular in every Asian countries. It’s true that most idol dramas nowadays are somewhat substandard, but there are still good ones around, like "Come to My Place" – I thought that wasn’t bad. A lot of drama series now are collaborations between Taiwan, Hong Kong and mainland China, and sometimes even with Korean actors. This way the work and the investment can be distributed evenly between everybody and the actors get to work with other actors. It’s a very good, new approach.

Fame came too quickly, success still baffles him

Reporter: You were still young when F4 became famous. How did you view your success then?

ZaiZai: Not that young! Just younger than now, haha! To be completely honest, during "Meteor Garden" I didn’t really know what success was, because I’ve never failed. I accompanied a friend to the audition and then was chosen to be in the series. At that time everybody encouraged me to treat it like just a summer job. I myself didn’t think anything of it, it was just for fun. It never occurred to me that we would suddenly become so famous. I remember F4’s first autograph session in Taipei – several streets were lined up full of people, the stage collapsed and we were forced to cancel the event. And the four of us even had to come out and apologize because of that, haha. Now I think back on it and it’s very bewildering. All of our success before is due to "Meteor Garden", credits should go to the director and Chai jie (Angie Chai). That’s why the four of us are watchful and alert and prepared. We all work very hard, hoping that there would be a new breakthrough in our careers, a success that we can call our own.

Reporter: You performance in "Mars" earned recognition from so many people, even Da S said that you improved a lot. Are TV drama series the main direction you want to take in the future?

ZaiZai: Yes, definitely. After filming "Mars" I have become quite demanding and picky. I have set very high standards towards new plays. I think that those roles with light love stories should be left to the younger people. At my age I need something with more depth.

Reporter: But you’re only 24 years old, is it necessary to look for depth so early?

ZaiZai: I started at 19. It’s been five years already, there is a need for more depth. A while ago some kids have already called me "Uncle ZaiZai", if I don’t shape up on my acting, they’d start calling me "Grandpa ZaiZai".

"Mars" is too raunchy

Reporter: There are a lot of passionate scenes in "Mars", how do you regard idol dramas that incorporates passionate scenes and violence?

ZaiZai: We were all very serious about it during filming. We didn’t care if the result was "pretty" or not. I want the audience to feel that it’s all very normal. But watching those scenes earlier compiled together really made me blush and perspire. Made me feel like "Mars" is too raunchy. Truth is, acting to me is really a fun thing to do. You get to do a lot of things you can’t do in real life, and when you see the results you get this sense of achievement everytime that gives a feeling of contentment I’ve never had before. As for what you said about idol dramas adding a new element…well, what is an idol drama after all? Should a film be deemed an idol drama just because it stars a young, good looking cast? Being young and good looking is supposed to be an advantage! Look at Andy Lau – he’s good looking. Does that mean that he couldn’t act in the films he made when he was young? Hasn’t he also received so many acting awards now, not only in Hong Kong, but also in Taiwan and China! I believe that idol dramas that depend solely on beauty is past it already. The audience nowadays are not necessarily kids. People should change their point of view and treat idol dramas maturely, elevate our standard in watching television.

Reporter: Are there any other plans this year? Will you release another album?

ZaiZai: There are still plans for a movie, TV series and an album, I should think. I’ve never been familiar with the aspect of music. For the last two albums, I’ve always been at ease with just listening to the suggestions of my teachers and didn’t put in much of my own ideas. But for the third album I hope I can include more of my own feelings. I think this kind of music suits me better. I hope my third album will be about the real me, all of me.