The official announcement of "Tang Dynasty Mystery Record of Westward Journey" is in addition to the joy brought by the original cast.
There is a name that is very bright: Yu Yi.
On the officially announced character poster, Qin Xiaobai, played by Yu Yi, holds a brush and wears an ink robe.
Before it appeared, it led people to imagine that it was indeed that smell.
Some even wanted to revisit the "Soul Ferry" series to show their excitement.
Not only the official announcement of the new drama, Yu Yi brought a wave of attention.
Not long ago, at the Leslie Cheung Memorial Concert in Hong Kong, Yu Yi's appearance also caused a wave of heated discussions.
That night, Chen Songling, Zhong Zhentao, Zhang Weijian, Zhou Huimin and other former friends of Leslie Cheung came to the scene to mourn the "good brother" in people's hearts.
In the starlight, Yu Yi became a provocative existence.
From "Never Far Away" and "Affectionate Embrace" to the theme song of "Farewell My Concubine" "When Love Is a Thing of the Past".
Yu Yi took on three stages by himself and gradually got better.
It is his brother's fans who know the status and significance of this movie and this theme song in his entire acting career.
So someone didn't understand and asked:
Yu Yi is not very popular in the entertainment industry, nor is he from the Hong Kong circle, and he even has no intersection with Leslie Cheung, how can he take on a heavy role in this concert?
In fact, Yu Yi is not popular in the entertainment industry, precisely because he is red and purple in another circle.
1、
Although the commemoration of Mr. Leslie Cheung is held every year, this year is particularly special.
April 1, 2023 marks the twentieth anniversary of my brother's death.
His former manager and friend Ms. Chen Shufen began to prepare for this special commemoration a year ago and specially planned this "Continue to Pamper • Twenty Years • Concert".
There were more than 50 guests and performers that night, Yu Yi was not only the first in the stroke of the surname, but also contributed three programs, which was truly the "first".
When the stage of "Affectionate Embrace" slowly rose, Yu Yi appeared with his brother's iconic gesture, and the audience screamed.
"Watching a brother's movie, listening to an old brother's song, looking up at the stars, we know that the best way to remember a person is to keep him in your heart forever."
Before the singing, a true monologue has already pulled people into the situation.
The prelude sounded Yu Yi slowly walked towards Chen Songling, a mouth, electricity spread throughout the body, a short duet singing, like a small musical, there are stories, emotions, and more tears.
Unlimited Listen Lock!
And then when singing "When Love Is a Thing of the Past".
"The Han soldiers have been singing on all sides. The king was exhausted in righteousness, and the concubine He Liaosheng was born. ”
As soon as the four sentences came out, the words were round, and the sound curbed the clouds.
The strength shook the field, listening to applause and applause.
The entire performance, the time that belonged to Yu Yi added up to only ten minutes.
But it includes the infinite skills of singing skills, lines, acting skills, and body performances, and Yu Yi is also "singing, chanting, and fighting", which can be carried in all ways.
In fact, Yu Yi himself is a fan of Leslie Cheung, and in 2021, he participated in "Crossover Singer", and he opened with a drama and sang "When Love Is a Thing of the Past", which also shocked the judges present at that time.
Therefore, some friends reasoned that Yu Yi attracted the attention of Ms. Chen Shufen because of this performance, so he had the opportunity to participate in the 20th anniversary concert.
But in fact, Yu Yi attracted Chen Shufen's attention, not in the past two years.
And Yu Yi, who seems to have no intersection with the Hong Kong circle, is not the first time to come to the Red Hall.
2、
Now when Yu Yi is mentioned, a name "Zhao Lian" may pop up first.
Since 2014, Yu Yi has played the male number one in the online drama "Soul Ferry" series many times.
The reason why it can continue to "add more" is because of Yu Yi's performance, which is really eye-catching.
Zhao Lian, the ferryman of No. 444 convenience store, a civil servant from the netherworld, has a lot of cool words, and as soon as he shows his face, he circles a wave of "personality fans".
Others asked him: Isn't it black and white impermanence? Why didn't you see that one?
Zhao Lian replied:
There is a hint of reality in the humor, which is true: pierced the old iron!
But what really makes people fall into the pit is Yu Yi's strength as an actor.
The cold background color is gradually dyed with more colors, and Yu Yi presents a "ghost detective" endowment, both good and evil.
This transition, subtle, has no stiff lines, and is closer to the transformation of human nature than to performance.
Seeing Zhao Lian "disappear", many people cried miserably and asked bitterly: Why is this so?
Although it is only an online broadcast, the popularity and word of mouth of the "Soul Ferry" series are obvious to all, from 3 dramas to film versions, theatrical versions, and even extras, the score has remained above 7 points.
The director is Ju Xingmao, who was once known for being "ugly", using "non-famous actor" Yu Yi, seemingly "scary step by step" is actually "true and represented", he knows what kind of presentation Yu Yi can bring, restoring the sense of realism to the audience.
Although Ju Xingmao is "not good-looking", he is also a good brother of director Guo Jingyu.
After the fire of "Soul Ferry", Yang Zhigang's name also appeared in the second part, but Yang Zhigang, who could not be moved in Guo Jingyu's drama, did not make a big splash in "Soul Ferry".
But unlike Yang Zhigang, Yu Yi contracted the whole series in one breath, and what is rare is that it does not make people aesthetically fatigued, and continues to enter the pit.
Or compare with Yang Zhigang, and better understand why Yu Yi can go to a bigger stage.
As the "Fu Di Demon" in the entertainment industry, Guo Jingyu's dramas have always had only one male protagonist, but Yu Yi once broke this convention.
Before "joining" Guo Jingyu's bureau, Yu Yi actually had a lot of works, but he experienced a long road of "green leaves".
In 2001, he acted in "Folding Fan Exploring Flowers", when Yang Zhigang had not yet debuted.
Tang Jili's "Ambition", Yu Yi also participated.
In "Male Talent and Female Appearance" to Lin Xinru and Lu Yi, "The 101st Proposal" watched Sun Xing and Cui Zhiyou chase their wives to "show affection".
It was not until 2008's "Love in the Wounded City", Yu Yi's name, began to appear in the top three of the starring table.
Playing supporting roles, for some people, is to make money, some people are purely running a trick, and Yu Yi is constantly accumulating.
He finally waited for Gu Chaohua in "Heart Art".
When he appeared, he was suddenly misunderstood, and when he encountered a medical dispute, he was angry and tough, and launched a rush, really thinking that he was refusing to shoot "dumping big names".
Because the patient's selfish interests and the overall situation were "resigned", Gu Chaohua was also rated as the "most aggrieved doctor" and was severely sympathetic.
Then turned against his former good brother and stood on the opposite side to sue the hospital, Gu Chaohua's "triple jump of human nature" also presents the true side of human nature.
From a doctor who is full of spirits, to being wronged and paranoid, to choosing to stand on the side of justice.
Yu Yi presented the character's personality reversal throughout the process, and was ridiculed by netizens as "the return of the gray wolf".
Not long after "Heart Technique", Yu Yi joined the group "Hitting Dog Sticks", gathering "black, white and gray" enthusiastic doctors, and the residual temperature has not yet dissipated, Yu Yi played the feminine and gentle "second girl".
Netizens sent another evaluation: self-destructive image.
Originally, when receiving the invitation, Yu Yi hesitated, but saw the 100,000-word outline sent by the assistant director, which contained two sentences:
"I want to say that I want to make the second girl into a character that has never been seen in the history of Chinese TV dramas and can walk into the window with Dai Tianli."
"I would like to dedicate this piece to the great people of Rehe. I would like to dedicate this film to my mother and her predecessors who shed their blood for the War of Resistance Against Japan. ”
Yu Yi was deeply shocked, and after carefully reading the story, he stayed awake all night, and bought a ticket early the next morning and went straight to Beijing.
Before seeing the director, he specially found a makeup artist to put makeup on himself according to the characteristics of the role, just to win the "second girl".
Yu Yi's performance in "Hitting the Dog Stick" locked Guo Jingyu's gaze, and "Braveheart" directly made him and Yang Zhigang a "double male protagonist".
A breakthrough not only opened the precedent of "Guo's works", but also directly brought Yu Yi a follow-up greater repercussion.
3、
There are many war scenes in "Hitting the Dog", and when filming a scene of fighting with the Japanese army, Yu Yi was poked in the ribs by a gun bolt, causing extensive muscle damage.
Yu Yi did not have the slightest pretentiousness, put on a bandage to relieve the pain, and plunged into the rain of bullets again.
He said: "Director Guo wrote such a good character, it cannot be wasted, and it is worth it to endure any hardship. ”
The character of the "two girls" in the play is changeable and very layered.
He was raised by eunuchs, drew eyeliner and upturned orchid fingers every day, and also contributed several wonderful "Danjiao" performances.
In order to let Yu Yi cut in on time, the crew specially invited a national professional opera teacher to give Yu Yi 1V1 guidance.
Yu Yi didn't want to stop at it, not only took a look at the board, practiced with the teacher, but also repeatedly watched "Farewell My Concubine", learning Leslie Cheung's form in the play and looking for inspiration.
Therefore, at the 20th anniversary concert, those seemingly sudden "scenery" are all ten years of perseverance and tempering.
"Beat the Dog Stick" and "Braveheart" have become popular dramas.
Yang Zhigang, who has cooperated many times, has been repeating under his brother's "resource package" and has become a self-stereotyped and solidified actor.
But Yu Yi is different, he is more accustomed to stepping out of his comfort zone and challenging different roles.
In 2017, he participated in "The Birth of an Actor" and paid tribute to "Chasing the Dragon" with Feng Lei.
On this topical stage, Yu Yi presented the shrewd British detective "Leiluo", full of tension.
In the face of persecution and questioning, Yu Yi directly picked up the wine bottle at the scene and continuously "shot his head", "frightened", and the viewer was unconsciously brought into the situation.
Also participating in such programs, Yang Zhigang exposed his shortcomings.
Just like his experience of playing the male protagonist on his debut, Yang Zhigang also took the S card when he appeared in the show.
However, as the show progressed, Yang Zhigang was not only "complained" by the actresses in the same group and refused to rehearse, but the presentation of the scene also made people unable to see the scenery of the "big male protagonist" who swept the screen in those years.
The old performance mode, unchanged expression and presentation, and compared with Yu Yi's sometimes "black belly", sometimes "pseudonym", and sometimes "hell's spokesperson", you can understand why Yu Yi's road is getting wider and wider.
But Yu Yi's real scenery does not stop there, he also has a bigger stage, and he is red and purple in another circle.
4、
As an actor, Yu Yi collected the "most enchanting" second girl in "Hitting the Dog Stick", and the "most humiliated" Gu Chaohua in "Heart Technique".
The "most terrifying" Zhao Lian in "Soul Ferry", the "most vicious" Zhao Shucheng in "Braveheart"... Many "best of the screens".
In him, there are also more gorgeous achievements.
And all kinds of life trajectories seem to be hidden in his growth experience.
Yu Yi was born in a military family in Qingdao, and has been righteous and proud since he was a child, and has one of his biggest hobbies - singing.
No matter what kind of song, if you have listened to it once, you can remember the lyrics, tune, and sing it in a similar way, and it is very popular among friends, and people give the nickname "song god".
The parents saw their son's interest, so they sent him to the Little Haiyan Art Troupe to participate in the activity class, where Yu Yi received the enlightenment of music and art.
Yu Yi was devoted, and his understanding was extremely high, and he was selected by his teacher to join the choir at the age of 4, and he stood in the center every time.
However, when he encountered a voice change in adolescence, his original good voice instantly "broke", and Yu Yi was deeply shocked, but he did not give up his pursuit of music and studied trumpet with a famous teacher for two years.
When his good voice "returned", Yu Yi studied again, specializing in bel canto singing, and set his sights on the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Unexpectedly, he was admitted to the Television Art Department of Shanghai Theater Academy and became classmates with Zhu Zhen, but after graduation, the two took different paths.
Yu Yi has persistence and choice, and found that his interest was not in hosting, but in indulging in performance.
So he was admitted to Shanghai Renyi, directly switched tracks from a prospective host, and became a stage actor.
Yu Yi entered the theater in 2001 and has maintained his identity as a Shanghai entertainer and has continued to produce works.
In the first year, he starred in the drama "Goodbye, Mom" adapted from the true story of fire hero Huang Donghua, playing the male number one Huang Donghua.
Since then, it has maintained the rate of at least one per year and continued to contribute works.
And Yu Yi has always had a deeper love in his heart - musicals.
In 2004, Yu Yi also got the opportunity to become the male number two in the Chinese version of "Snow Wolf Lake", playing the roles of the rich son Liang Zhi and the old wolf fairy, and in the Hong Kong version, the two roles were played by Xie Tianhua and Fu Runguang.
As soon as the musical was staged, Yu Yi was fiercely envied by his peers, but there was also pressure behind the scenery.
The partner who starred in "Snow Wolf Lake" was either "Song God" Jacky Cheung, a professional singing god, or Xu Huixin, who was already a big star in the front row at that time.
And although Yu Yi left a wave of impressions because of the "new good man" Zhao Lei in the TV series "Male Talent and Female Appearance", he is still at the level of not long after his debut and has no fame.
But fortunately, the musical pays more attention to comprehensive strength, and Jacky Cheung and Chen Shufen also circled Yu Yi, who has good acting skills and singing skills, because of this, he stood on the stage of his dreams, and was also entrusted with two roles under one heavy position.
Yu Yi also seemed to have been prepared, even if the stars in front of him were like clouds, he did not have any timidity or inferiority.
Instead, with his love for the stage and musicals, he threw himself into rehearsals and selfless performances.
However, when he first received the role of Liang Zhi, Yu Yi was also confused for a while.
Because in daily life, he is a "good man" like Zhao Lei, and he is very different from Liang Zhi.
At the critical moment, Jacky Cheung gave Yu Yi support: "When you talk to someone, don't look at him."
With a gentle touch from the senior, Yu Yi understood it in his heart, gradually found a feeling, and finally vividly presented Brother Gongzi's arrogance and domineering on the stage.
Yu Yi's performance was not only recognized by Jacky Cheung and Chen Shufen, but also the actresses who cooperated with him couldn't help but praise: "He sings well, it's all too good!" ”
For a year and a half, Yu Yi partnered with Chen Jieyi, Xu Huixin, and Chen Songling, touring many places across the country, and was addicted to musicals, so he was linked with Chen Shufen and Chen Songling.
Therefore, Yu Yi did not seem to be in the Hong Kong circle, but he entered the circle early and stood on the stage of Hung Hom.
"Snow Wolf Lake" turned on Yu Yi's musical switch, and Yu Yi also won himself the opportunity to continue to fulfill his dream in the future with his own strength.
In 2005's "Wild Snow", Yu Yi devoted himself to commemorating the anti-Japanese heroine Zhao Yiman in an artistic way.
In 2008's "Road Angel", Yu Yi played the male number one Chen Shaoping, once again using a stable and delicate singing voice to convey emotions.
In 2009, Yu Yi made another effort and starred in the classic Broadway musical "I Love You".
He also directly sent himself to the stage of Broadway in the United States, exchanged and cooperated with world-class musical theater masters, and the arc of his dream radiated a brighter light.
Yu Yi once confessed excitedly:
"Musicals will always keep me in tears and keep me awake at night, no matter how old I am, I will shine my light on stage in my own way."
And Yu Yi, who seems to be not popular in the entertainment industry, has already turned purple in the more pure art circle of musicals.
5、
In 2020, because of the fire of the "Soul Ferry" series, the musical version of "Soul Ferry: Eternal Life" came into being.
Yu Yi, who has been away from the stage for a long time, is very excited:
"When it comes to musicals, my blood boils. In the past ten years, I have never left! ”
On the day of the premiere, Yu Yi wore a black cloak, and when "Zhao Lian" and his two little friends Xia Dongqing and Wang Xiaoya appeared, the "444 convenience store" reopened, and the audience shouted: Ye Qing back!
But no one knew that before that, Yu Yi had just participated in "China in the Story" and played the hero Wang Cheng in "Heroic Sons and Daughters".
The eight-minute war scene was filmed three times, and Yu Yi shouted his voice to edema.
Yu Yi was anxious and worried about this for a while, but fortunately, after treatment, his throat finally recovered, and Yu Yi declared like a nobody:
"My voice and Yu Yi are ready for Zhao Lian."
For this "preparation", Yu Yi has traveled for ten years.
From the moving, rigid and soft singing that evokes people's imagination, to "A Moment of Time", Yu Yi presents Zhao Lian's inner monologue with a melody rich in beauty and emotion.
"Immortals yearn for the life of mortals, although they have lived for thousands of years, they have no soul, and there is not a single tear with salty taste", directly piercing the loneliness and helplessness under the theme of "eternal life".
With a lot of singing, dancing, and body movements, the 43-year-old Yu Yi controls the audience, and he is more free than the one on stage ten years ago.
After the performance, Yu Yi couldn't hide his excitement:
"An online drama was filmed for three seasons, and I thought it was over. Unexpectedly, he was reborn from the stage of the musical in another form. ”
For him, whether it is musicals, film and television dramas, every performance is like a rebirth, constantly renewing himself in the fate and stories of different characters.
The meaning of "eternal life" is not simply to repeat the same life, but to constantly create new realms.
Yu Yi once said excitedly:
"I'm excited, and the reason I'm excited is not because I've been away from the stage for ten years. To be honest, I know very well that it doesn't matter if I'm standing on the stage of musicals, but because musicals in China are still developing. ”
When "nine leaky fish" and "desperate illiteracy" appear frequently in the entertainment industry, and various extreme events continue to lower the lower limit of public acceptance.
Like Yu Yi, he does not fix his gaze on the "ego", but helps and calls for the cause he loves.
This is the consciousness and pattern shown by an actor who really loves acting.
Over the years, Yu Yi has filmed and appeared on variety shows, but his "soul" has never left the musical.
Participating in "Crossover Singer" is also to insist on his original intention for musicals:
"I can leave, but I'm going to sing musicals, and I'm going to sing musical fragments in other singing shows, even if it's niche."
In the end, he did it, and also made the musical become the love of more people through his performances and the stage of variety shows.
Far from the entertainment industry with complicated public opinion, without contending for fame and profit, 45-year-old Yu Yi has gone further and further on another big road for male actors, and has become a "symbol" of good actors.
For an actor like Yi, this is the ultimate meaning of "red".
Text/Pipi Film Editorial Department: Soda Leaf
© Original 丨Article copyright: Pippi Movies (ppdianying)
Please do not reprint in any form without authorization