preface
In the kung fu movie industry, Donnie Yen and Jet Li are undoubtedly two bright stars. With their outstanding martial arts talents, they have performed countless classic roles on the screen, pushing Chinese martial arts culture to a broader international stage.
However, the two people who came out of the same sect back then are now very different. Donnie Yen is constantly committed to promoting Chinese martial arts culture and is regarded as a patriotic actor by countless people; And Jet Li's path became more and more blurred in the vortex of late commercialization, and finally became discredited in many negative news.
1. Practice martial arts in the same discipline: Donnie Yen was influenced by his mother and determined to spread Chinese martial arts
In July 1963, Donnie Yen was born in a scholarly family in Guangdong Province. His father, Zhen Yunlong, was an editor at a local newspaper, and his mother, Mak Baochan, was a martial arts master.
When he was 5 years old, his father immigrated to Hong Kong with his family, while his mother stayed in the mainland. His father asked Donnie Yen to learn piano art, and he did exercise his strong sensitivity and musical literacy through this piano study.
However, when her mother came to Hong Kong in 1973 to reunite with her family, Donnie Yen became interested in martial arts under her influence. Mak Baochan used to be a female master in the Hong Kong martial arts world, and she was proficient in Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Taijijian and so on. While she taught Donnie Yen martial arts, she also planted the seeds of promoting Chinese culture in his heart.
In 1975, after 12-year-old Donnie Yen immigrated to the United States with his parents, Bruce Lee on TV ignited his passion for martial arts even more. He aspires to promote Chinese kung fu through movies, like his idol Bruce Lee. In 1978, Mak Baochan sent 15-year-old Donnie Yen back to Beijing to study at Shichahai Sports School, the birthplace of Chinese martial arts, and officially entered the road of martial arts training.
At that time, Jet Li was already a star student of Shichahai Sports School and won the all-around championship twice. Donnie Yen was placed in the women's group to train flexibility, so the two did not communicate much. But the experience of practicing martial arts in the same door has made the two form an indissoluble bond.
Studying at Shichahai Sports School, Donnie Yen was inspired like never before. He trained hard and showed amazing talent for all kinds of martial arts, and soon stood out among his peers.
Importantly, the hard training at this stage not only sharpened Donnie Yen's outstanding martial arts, but also forged his tenacious character. Although the daily training from dawn to sunset is boring and hard, Donnie Yen has no complaints, but is dedicated to becoming a martial arts master and promoting Chinese culture.
It is this love for traditional Chinese culture and insistence on self-transcendence that made Donnie Yen a unique position in the film industry in the future. Perhaps behind every excellent artist, there is such a hidden ascetic process.
A year later, Donnie Yen returned to Hong Kong and officially entered the entertainment industry with enthusiasm for Chinese martial arts culture. The wish was simple – to use movies to promote Chinese kung fu, just like Bruce Lee.
Second, the ups and downs of his debut: Donnie Yen has gradually matured through trials
After rising to prominence in the film industry, Donnie Yen ushered in his first important work - the martial arts comedy film "Laughing Tai Chi". This is also the first screen opportunity given to him by director Yuan Heping. However, the debut film ended in failure, with a poor box office and word of mouth.
Failure on the first attempt hits a young man hard. Donnie Yen was no exception, falling into self-doubt. However, he did not become discouraged for long, but became more and more firm in his belief in spreading Chinese martial arts culture. Therefore, Donnie Yen chose to return to his original intention, constantly improve in martial arts and acting skills, and prepare for the next step.
When many people encounter their first failure, they will easily give up their dreams and pursue stability and comfort. But Donnie Yen didn't. Although the failure of his debut left Donnie Yen at a low ebb, he quickly adjusted his mentality and faced life with a positive and enterprising attitude.
He understands that there are inevitable ups and downs on the road to dreams, and what really matters is the mentality. Only by remaining optimistic and persistent can we overcome one obstacle after another. Therefore, Donnie Yen chose to continue to work hard, believing that one day he could achieve his dream.
There is a famous saying that success comes from nine percent talent and ninety-one percent effort. Donnie Yen knows this well. He did not lose heart because of a failure, but self-reflection and constantly enriched himself in martial arts and acting skills.
His comeback a year later proved that his efforts were not in vain. Donnie Yen returned to the film industry with a mature mentality and soon ushered in the peak of his career.
We often say that growth comes from pain. After experiencing the grind of the trough, Donnie Yen also grew from a young boy to a neutral word. This also established his unique position in the show business industry.
Third, cooperate again: Jet Li hurt Donnie Yen again to promote the peak of his career
Scarred is a warrior's medal. 10 years later, in the 2002 movie "Heroes", Donnie Yen collaborated with Jet Li again. Donnie Yen, a young up-and-comer, has grown into a first-line star and competes with Master Li. There are many fight scenes between the two in the film, and Jet Li accidentally injured Donnie Yen's eyebrow bone again.
But this time, the accident left not only physical pain, but also confidence in acting skills and vision for career. After this cooperation, Donnie Yen's popularity and acting skills have reached new heights. He has also since got rid of the label of villain and become a real A-list star.
It can be said that the two collaborations with Jet Li have inspired Donnie Yen. The first time was a turning point in your career, and the second time was a direct career peak. Every physical pain gives rise to a greater determination in the heart to succeed. This may be the legendary "pouring salt on the wound".
In fact, Donnie Yen and Jet Li can be said to be from the same school, but they each represent the symbols of two eras.
In the 80s, Jet Li promoted Chinese kung fu to the world with the Shaolin Temple series of movies, and he was a well-deserved kung fu master. Donnie Yen, on the other hand, represents the power of the new generation, on the basis of inheriting tradition, and creating its own era.
The two collaborations inspired Donnie Yen not only because Jet Li had injured him, but more importantly, he regarded Master Li as his goal and direction of struggle. This fueled Donnie Yen's inner desire for transcendence, taking his career to new heights.
Sometimes, our drive to grow requires a mentor and opponent worth following. Jet Li's influence on Donnie Yen, like Shi Potian's inspiration to Bruce Lee, has made a great legend.
Fourth, stick to the original intention: Donnie Yen continues to write the glory of Chinese martial arts
As he grew older and more status, Donnie Yen also faced the temptation of commercialization. When kung fu movies gradually declined, he could have chosen to retire or transform, but finally decided to continue his original intention.
In 2008, Donnie Yen starred in the movie "Ip Man". In order to play this Chinese martial arts grandmaster, he devoted himself to eating only vegetables and fruits to reduce his shape.
In the end, he got his wish to play a restrained and deep, soft on the outside and rigid on the inside. This film not only brought his acting skills to the peak, but also successfully saved the originally declining Chinese kung fu movies.
Since then, Donnie Yen's popularity on the international stage has greatly opened. Many foreign directors rushed to invite him to direct action scenes. But he rejected projects that contained content that scandalized China. In 2009, he also regained his Chinese nationality and officially declared himself a Chinese.
In many interviews, Donnie Yen has actively promoted China positively and corrected foreign media's prejudice against China. No matter where he went, his inner belief did not change - to promote Chinese martial arts to the world. It is this dedication that has made him consistent in the ups and downs of business and become a superstar that makes the Chinese people proud.
In fact, when an actor becomes popular, he often faces temptation from commercial films. Higher salaries and a more relaxed environment are irresistible.
But Donnie Yen was not proud of his success and pursued profit. In his view, Chinese martial arts culture is the foundation of his own existence. Promoting traditional culture is the responsibility of a Chinese actor.
So, when many people choose to be comfortable, Donnie Yen still chooses to persevere. He didn't change careers because of the decline of kung fu movies, but continued to shine the light of this tradition in his own way.
Sticking to this is not an easy task. But there are some things that are more loved than monetary status. For Donnie Yen, Chinese martial arts is his lifelong pursuit. It is precisely because he has a purpose in mind that he can persevere.
It also provides inspiration for our lives. Pursuing inner passion often gives strength. And when you lose yourself, return to your original intention, and you can start again.
Fifth, confusion after commercialization: Jet Li's road is getting narrower
In contrast, Jet Li gradually lost his way after commercial success. Like Donnie Yen, he was also famous for his success in martial arts movies in the early days and is regarded as the founder of domestic kung fu films. But the good times did not last long.
In 1992, Donnie Yen became famous for his cooperation with Jet Li, but Jet Li fell into a trough because of contract disputes. Since then, he has been divorced and broken up by his ex-wife, and his savings have been lost. In order to make money, Jet Li chose the path of commercialization.
In 2005, Li Lianjiao starred in the American movie "Danny the Wolf Dog", playing a role in the film who was locked in an iron cage as a dog training, which was criticized by many Chinese audiences. This also became a turning point in his acting career.
In 2008, Li Lianjiao starred in the 3D blockbuster "The Mummy 3", playing the villain in the film. The film was regarded by domestic audiences as vilifying Chinese elements, and Jet Li once again became the target of verbal criticism. For a time, the former kung fu superstar was notorious.
In fact, Jet Li has also grown from a nobody to a superstar step by step. In his early years, he was full of ideals to promote Chinese kung fu to the world. Through films such as "Shaolin Temple" and "North and South Shaolin", Master Li successfully spread Chinese martial arts culture overseas and established a new image.
However, the good times did not last long. For various reasons, Jet Li's later life and career were not satisfactory. In order to make money to fill the financial gap, he had to take on some commercial films of uneven quality.
We do not rush to judge any decision of Master Li. Everyone has their own inner considerations, which are difficult for the outside world to fully understand. Although he finally embarked on the road of commercialization, Jet Li's contribution to Chinese kung fu films will never be indelible.
He is like a runner, sprinting hard in his youth, but inevitably tired in his later stages. We should appreciate not only the results, but also the efforts throughout. If you seek the near and far, everyone loses. We should be more tolerant and understand the ups and downs in the trajectory of everyone's life.
Sixth, high judgment: Donnie Yen, who adheres to his original intention, shows positive energy
The story is today in contrast. Donnie Yen is constantly committed to spreading Chinese martial arts culture and is regarded as a force for positive health; Jet Li, on the other hand, was slumped, successfully advanced and retreated, and eventually lost his reputation.
In fact, we do not rush to judge who is right and who is wrong. Just through the comparison between the two, we can see the importance of sticking to the original intention and making good use of influence. For celebrities to transmit positive energy to society, they must not get lost in business success.
We admire Donnie Yen's consistency, but we should not blame Jet Li for his frustration. Everyone will be confused, and we should be more tolerant and encouraging.
No matter how brilliant the work is, it cannot surpass the most authentic meaning of life. Being grateful for everything we have and keeping the heart of a child is everyone's ultimate goal. You and I are no exception.
epilogue
Donnie Yen and Jet Li, two Chinese kung fu superstars, their life trajectories and ultimate destinies are full of inspiration.
We should not only see the tip of the iceberg of success, but look at the experiences of others with a more inclusive and understanding mindset. On the road of life, ups and downs are commonplace.
What is really great is that even in the trough, do not abandon the original intention; Even at peak times, you can't get lost. As long as you can be consistent and stick to your inner beliefs, you will definitely find your own light.