Special Interview of Chu Liu Xiang
[Transcript] 12/10/07 Sohu interview on Chu Liu Xiang
Source:
Part 1: http://v.sohu.com/20071209/n253888867.shtml
Part 2: http://v.sohu.com/20071209/n253888873.shtml
Part 3: http://v.sohu.com/20071209/n253888880.shtml
Part 4: http://v.sohu.com/20071209/n253888903.shtml
Date: December 10, 2007
Interviewed by: Dia Pang (Host) and Yu Sa Sa (Hostress)
Guests: Producer You Jian Min and Chu Xiao Tian
Part 1
The inside story on Chu Xiao Tian replaces Huang Xiao Ming.
Frankly speaking, he does not get use to be F4
Pang: Hi ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Star Online. This is Dia Pang.
Sasa: Hi everyone, how are you? This is Sasa.
Pang: Today, we have invited 2 guests. Let¡¦s see, they are in nice suits and are so matching. Let's welcome our honourable guests.
Sasa: Wecome!
Pang: Let's introduce them one by one. Look, they are so matching. Here is the one we all know, Chu Xiao Tian, F4's member and very very famous.
Sasa: Exactly, extremely popular.
Pang: Of course, we don¡¦t recognize the other one. Not that familiar with his face. Don't worry, we will let you know right the way.
Sasa: His productions are very well known.
Pang: Yes, this is You Jian Min. He has a relative, also an artist called You Hong Ming. (Just kidding). No not that case. He is a famous major producer in our field. Welcome both of you!
Sasa: Welcome!
Pang: Why do we invite these two? Soon, CCTV is going to broadcast a grand ancient costume drama. We all know that CCTV is reluctant to broadcast swordsmen dramas. Once it decided to air one, it means it is going to have a vital impact on the general public.
Sasa: Not all drama will be chosen to air on CCTV.
Pang: Yes, let's look at this upcoming series The Legend of Chu Liu Xiang. Here is an exquisite pictorial. Looking at this front page, we all know that Chu Liu Xiang is
Sasa: Act by Chu Xiao Tian
Pang: Prouducer You, would you please give us further details about this drama?
You: This project started last year in June and finished in April this year. It is a long process because it involved a lot of animation. We spent a long time, a total of 8 months. In addition to obtain approvals and negotiate with CCTV, it finally decided to be broadcasted on the 10th. I believe this is a good prospect.
Pang: CCTV is well known to be conscientious. It certainly required extra time.
You: It was a torture.
Sasa: Good works demand more patience.
Pang: Base on your experience, what will you expect for its rating after The Legend of Chu Liu Xiang launched out at CCTV?
You: First of all, it is a very attractive story. I completed 7 swordsmen films for ten years. Of course, I also work on other types of dramas. But this is the one I input most of my efforts. I even edit it myself. It is an over $3 billion major investment that allied with a strong cast and a 284-members big crew. During these 5 months filming, we shoot our settings in Xin Jiang, Zhe Jiang, and Yuen Nan. The artists came from different places, from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Mainland China. It is really a nice unison. We had a total of 4 directors, 2 coordinators and a huge team which all under good management.
Pang: You even take part in editing?
You: I even act in it.
Pang: A role?
Ken: He directed for a day.
You: I used to be a director.
Pang: Let's give everyone some further details. in Fen Shi Jia¡ was one of Mr. Your major productions. It brought fame to so many artists. Do you have the confidence that CLX will surpass the former on rating?
You: It may be difficult to surpass Jin Fen Shi Jia. That rating was about 10 but now, the focus is different. Nowadays, CCTV has a broader coverage. The survey pool is no longer the same. Editors from CCTV also take a look at it. Our initial estimate is around 4 on rating.
Pang: Substantial.
You: It may be the highest for this year. That is possible but all depends on audience preferences. I believe it should be an outstanding story. Initially we intended to make an idol version Chu Liu Xiang. We all worked on this direction. This time, Chu Liu Xiang is completely different from the past. Let's forget about the past. I assure you, Chu Liu Xiang will be fundamentally different.
Pang: Chu Liu Xiang is with us here today. Xiang Shiu, can you tell us something? It must be a big challenge for you in this project.
Part 2
Chu Xiao Tian reproach for others unreasonableness, I do not despise Chinese!
Pang: Many people knew that Chu Xiao Tian would come so they left so many messages. Let¡¦s take a look on them. You seldom come to Mainland China, is it because you are less concerned about Mainland market? What are the differences filming in Taiwan and in Mainland China?
Ken: I don't often come to Mainland but this does not imply that I don¡¦t care about Mainland market. Instead, this market needs to be handled with extra care. Especially at this time being, there are too many too many sensitive issues which I am not willing to touch. I am waiting for a solid game rule to be established before I can shift my focus into Mainland. In my opinion, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mainland is currently under a critical moment learning to coordinate and communicate with each other. When we first came to Mainland, we heard many disputes, like, why they like Taiwan artists? How about our local artists? Why does no one pay attention to their work? I found it is better now. Local artists gradually received more attention. Gradually, some stands out. I am not saying that I don¡¦t emphasis on Mainland market. In fact, I am concerned about it. I perceive it as the biggest center in Asia. At present, we may still have to follow the trend from Hollywood. However, in less than ten years, I'd say Hollywood may have to look upon us. Therefore, we always put extra care to operate in this area.
Pang: Is it because of your bad experience from the scandal with Li Bing Bing couple years ago that make you totally disappointed?
Ken: That was an isolated instance. Don't want to make it so sensitive. Actually, it hurts me so much. I always see myself, my race and my language, as Chinese. That is real. I am a Chinese. I speak Mandarin. No matter where I am going, Taiwan or Mainland, we are all Chinese. We are the same. Despites, many often distort your thoughts and misrepresent your words. It gives you a hard time to survive here. This is what I always try to avoid. Since I never mean to be the way they said, I should not bear its consequences, nor I should keep explaining and clarifying.
Pang: I understand what you said. Perhaps, that is due to the recent online arguments.
Ken: This not only happened in recent. It is always like that.
Pang: In respect to this current issue, they escalate it based on a video clip. How do you respond to it?
Ken: That is totally nonsense. I only stated my previous experience. The person involved happened to be a Chinese. Then I was criticized as I despise Chinese. If this person were a Thai, I would say he was a Thai. If that person were an American, I would say he was an American. When I said that was a Chinese, it should not be taken as I despise Chinese. How can I despise Chinese? I, myself, am also a Chinese! Later on, I tried to understand the whole issue. I realized that most people's lives are so boring. If scold and insult me gives one a relief, let it be. After all, what you talked about was a total nonsense. In these two years, I tried my best to promote martial arts. There was an international tournament on Chinese Wrestling held in Taizhou last month. I performed in the opening ceremony to advocate Tai Chi. I do not make any money from these events. If I look down on Chinese or Chinese culture, why should I put my effort in them? Let¡¦s say the movie ¡§Tokyo Trial¡¨. Many Japanese still refuse to admit several issues mentioned in this movie. It revealed so many facts. If I weighted more on Japanese market than Chinese market, why do I accepted to work on this movie? For all these I did, I put no consideration on markets. If insult or distort me, and misrepresent my words do help them somehow, I really have no comment on it! More importantly, being an artist is to act as a relief channel. You like me because you find a relief from my work. In opposite, you dislike me. You have fun scolding me. Either way, I accomplished my mission.
Pang: You are quite optimistic. I suddenly find that Mr. You is so generous. Because of you, many artists gathered from Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong to work on the same project. It enhanced their communication and cooperation. We really need more chances like this. So others may come to China more often and for us, we have more chances to explore outside.
You: This is our responsibility. May be I should say this is the duty for the Chinese culture. If not, what is the point studying?
Pang: Local dramas had theme settings on military, traditional clans, Qing monarch sequence, etc. All come back with a fair rating. What will be the next big heat on TV dramas?
You: I believe The Legend of Chu Liu Xiang will be a heat.
Part 3
Chu Xiao Tian is not optimistic with Dai Zai Lien¡¨, disclosed Zaizai may delay getting marry.
Pang: Good, last 2 questions. One for each of you. Let's ask Ken first.
Question: Do you keep in touch with F3? Which one of them has the closest friendship with you? If Zaizai get marry, what type of gift will you send him? How much lucky money will you give him?
Ken: I do keep in touch with them but our interactions are less frequent because we don't have that many chances to work together in recent years. If you ask with whom I have a closer contact, I'd say they are about the same. We are good fellows at work. I don't mean that we can¡¦t get along or having issues. Yet, all four of us have completely different life-styles. Insisted to put us together would be a real pain for everyone. In fact, we normally live in our own way. Talking about wedding gift or red pockets (lucky money), we called it Mian (4 waivers). Don¡¦t come for it. You don't bomb me. I won't bomb you.
Sasa: Oh Kits like that?
Pang: On your wedding, I wrote you an IOU. Wait until that's my turn, you return it to me.
Ken: I'm not familiar with the mainland custom. In Taiwan, our custom is, I will send you a blast on wedding. We call it a red blast which indeed is a guest invitation. Why? Because you want some red pockets (lucky money). Say, for an example, I give Zaizai TW$200,000 today, he has to give me the same in return when I get marry in future.
Pang: Appreciated by then? (Laugh~)
Ken: That depends on your kindness. (chuckle~) So this becomes the main point. Please don't bomb me. It'd better you don't come at all.
Pang: However, if he really gets wed, you definitely will go for it.
Sasa: If you go, it will be impossible for you to bring nothing to him.
Ken: I will Yi si Yi si. (Take it at ease).
Sasa: What you mean is red pocket or something else?
You: Two bottles of wine will be good enough.
Ken: Yi si Yi si means to give him some (money).
You: Two dollars.
Pang: In your viewpoint, will he be the first one to get marry among the four?
Ken: That is hard to tell.
Sasa: Are you planning to get marry?
Ken: I really wish but no one wants me.
Pang: Let's ask director You some questions.
[
b]Question:[ /b] What kind of project are you working on in recent?
Pang: All your productions are getting better and better. This drama The Legend of Chu Liu Xiang is about to broadcast. Now, what is your next plan?
You: I am filming Di Yin 18 Nian (18 years in enemy¡¦s camp), my biggest production coming 120 episodes in 3 phases. It will run on a seasonal series. Shooting carried for 2 months. The first phase will be finished in the next two months. Probably, it will launch out to the audience by next March. It is for sure a drama worth of waiting.
Sasa: Have you finished artist audition?
You: Yes, all done!
Sasa: That is quite a few. If you are looking for artist, we are all hereby waiting.
Part 4
Chu Xiao Tian confess that Li Bing Bing is incomparable to Lin Xie Lei. He anticipate her to take an active move.
Pang: Here is another sensitive question for Chu Xiao Tian.
Question: Chu Xiao Tian, do you think Lin Xie Lin is very beautiful?
Ken: Of course, she is very beautiful. There is no doubt.
Pang: Your answer is too official. How about your personal impression?
Ken: Of course, I do find her very beautiful.
Question: Is she more beautiful than Li Bing Bing?
Ken: They are not the same.
Pang: I think it would be better for you to ask. If I asked, I may be kicked out.
Ken: It will be better to be gracious.
Pang: And your answer?
Ken: They are not the same. There is no way to compare them. One should not try to compare one person to the other. This is the most important lesson I learned. If you keep on making comparisons, you will ever be confined. So I never make comparison on people. When I meet you, I won't make any assumption that you look like someone, so you have to be compared to that person. I find that will end up as a burden.
Pang: Base on your requirement, who is more likely to be your girlfriend?
Ken: Well that depends on which one of them will choose me.
Sasa: You will go for the one who choose you? (Chuckle~)
Ken: Yeah..
Pang: You don't seem to be the one taking active move.
Ken: No, I don't think I would.
Pang: We are so glad that you two accepted our invitation to be our guest on Sohu giving us so much update on ¡§The Legend of Chu Liu Xiang¡¨. Soon, it will be on CCTV beginning on the 10th. Please keep your close attention on it. Lastly, Producer You and Chu Xiao Tian, will you have something to say to those who care about you and your latest work?
You: Thank you so much for your appreciation and all the best to you. Thank you!!
Ken: Hello everyone! I am so glad that Chu Liu Xiang finally be able to meet with you. This is a great drama accomplished by many peoples¡¦ contribution. I worked so hard and devoted all my effort in it. I hope you will like it. I am looking forward to your continuous support for me, as well as for all the other artists in it. Thank you!!
Translated by: weiwei-kenforever
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