The long-awaited "Liu Huifang"
In 1989, when China's first indoor TV series "Desire" was about to start filming, Zhang Kaili, a 27-year-old drama actor who played the heroine Liu Huifang, pleaded with director Lu Xiaowei: "Director, write me to death!" What kind of story is hidden behind this stunned request?
It turned out that in this casting process, Lu Xiaowei went through twists and turns, and finally chose Zhang Kaili as the heroine. Initially, Lu Xiaowei invited the well-known actor Fu Yiwei to play this role, but after careful evaluation by everyone, it was found that there was still a subtle gap between his image and Liu Huifang's role.
Subsequently, he contacted actors Zuo Ling and Yang Qing, expecting them to be qualified for the role, but unfortunately both actors could not join the group immediately due to their respective work plans.
Just when Lu Xiaowei was about to give up looking for the heroine, he happened to visit the China Coal Mine Art Troupe and met Zhang Kaili, a 27-year-old drama actor. Lu Xiaowei decided at a glance that Zhang Kaili's temperament and feelings were highly consistent with Liu Huifang in the script.
So, he took the initiative and invited Zhang Kaili to play this role.
Although Zhang Kaili had already undertaken the heavy task of performing stage plays at that time, with Lu Xiaowei's patient persuasion and the strong support of the leaders of the art troupe, she finally decided to accept this challenge.
For a drama actor who has never set foot in the field of film and television dramas, this is undoubtedly a difficult task.
After the filming started, Zhang Kaili felt a mountain of pressure. Liu Huifang's character is complex and changeable, with emotional ups and downs, which puts forward extremely high requirements for Zhang Kaili's acting skills. One day, she couldn't bear to complain to director Lu Xiaowei: "Director, when will I be able to get a boxed lunch, I'm really miserable!" Although this is just a joke, it is enough to show her inner anxiety and struggle.
Fortunately, with the concerted efforts of all the cast and crew, "Desire" was finally successfully completed. In December 1990, the show caused unprecedented repercussions when it premiered, and finally became the runner-up in the national ratings list with a super high rating of 98%, which can be called a ratings myth at that time.
For Zhang Kaili, who has never stepped into the film and television industry, this is undoubtedly an unexpected surprise.
Acting is just the tip of the iceberg
It is precisely because of the birth of the extremely unexpected hit drama "Desire" that the 27-year-old outstanding drama actor Zhang Kaili has instantly become a well-known superstar who has attracted wide attention! However, for her, this sudden huge honor is not easy to reap.
As a former drama actress who turned into a rising star, Cheung has to adapt to a completely different working environment and demanding professional requirements. During the intense filming of "Desire", she deeply experienced unprecedented pressure.
Liu Huifang's character has a rich and diverse personality and unpredictable emotions, which undoubtedly brings a high challenge to Zhang Kaili's superb acting skills. One day, she finally couldn't suppress the pain in her heart, and asked director Lu Xiaowei frankly: "Director, when will I be able to get a boxed lunch?
However, with the concerted efforts and selfless assistance of everyone, Zhang Kaili finally succeeded in completing this arduous filming task. For a newcomer who is new to the film industry, it is not easy to perfectly interpret such an important work.
Who could have foreseen that this work would cause such a strong response after it was broadcast, and it would become one of the most watched TV series at that time?
Zhang Kaili's success is inseparable from her extraordinary acting skills, but more importantly, her rich experience accumulated in the past plays a key role. It turned out that before devoting herself to a career in drama, the 27-year-old young actress used to be an outstanding short track speed skater.
From a young age, she had a love of speed, excelled in endurance training, and was physically fit. These valuable qualities have played a vital role in future theatrical and film and television performances.
For many actors, sudden success often leaves them in a state of confusion and confusion. However, for Zhang Kaili, she is able to remain calm and composed at all times.
This is inextricably linked to her early career as an athlete.
Back then, in order to chase the dream in her heart, she went through countless hardships and hardships. Although she eventually had to give up her career as an athlete due to her height, that spirit of perseverance and courage has never faded, but has turned into a strong internal drive to drive her to success.
It is this kind of spiritual outlook that has been precipitated by the baptism of the times that has enabled Ms. Zhang Kaili to successfully control the sudden popularity after the hit of the film "Desire", and always maintain an indifferent attitude.
Unfettered by the media's over-attention and audience-over-popularity, she quickly returned to the trajectory of everyday life.
A double balance between family and career
Although the unexpected success of "Desire" catapulted Zhang Kaili to fame overnight, she did not let this deter her from quick success, and she expanded aggressively in the entertainment industry. On the contrary, she carefully selects each work with a cautious and unhurried attitude.
In 1996, Ms. Zhang Kaili starred in the movie "Military Wife", although it did not cause as much sensation as "Desire", but still won high praise for the "Five One Project" and the Huabiao Award, which shows that her superb acting skills have long been widely recognized.
During the same period, Ms. Zhang Kaili and her beloved Mr. Zhang Jianjian tied the knot, and in the second year of marriage, their baby daughter was born. Since then, Ms. Zhang Kaili has devoted more time and energy to the growth of her family and daughter, and her presence on the screen has gradually decreased.
Her years of athletic career have shaped Ms. Zhang's tenacity and perseverance – patience and focus on everything. She knows that family and career are equally important, and she should not favor one over the other.
Therefore, even after the birth of her daughter, she never completely gave up her beloved acting career, but chose to moderately participate in the filming of part of the crew.
However, compared to the past, the number of Ms. Zhang Kaili's works has decreased. However, this does not mean that her acting skills have declined, on the contrary, her acting skills have matured and become more colorful.
In recent years, her wonderful performances in the TV series "The World" and "All Wishes Come True" have once again confirmed her excellent acting skills.
It is worth mentioning that with the growth of age, Ms. Zhang Kaili's role positioning has also quietly changed. From the heroine of the past, she has gradually transitioned to today's supporting actress, and even the mother of the male protagonist, her role image is becoming more and more full and diverse.
However, no matter how the character evolves, Ms. Kelly Zhang's superb acting skills are always consistent and unforgettable.
The collective memories of a generation
Time is like an arrow, time is like a shuttle, and in the blink of an eye, "Desire" has been broadcast for 33 years. In this long period of time, the actors who participated in the creation of this classic have also experienced the vicissitudes of life paths.
In the entertainment industry, some people still hold their ground, and through unremitting efforts, they have achieved outstanding results and achievements. Time flies, time flies, but stars who have performed well in film and television repertoire, such as Li Xuejian, who successfully portrayed the role of Song Dacheng, Huang Meiying, who is widely praised for her role as Wang Yaru, and Sun Song, who is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people with the role of Wang Husheng, are still active in the public eye, and their acting careers are gradually enriching themselves through excellent works.
In addition, Liang Guanhua, the wonderful interpreter of the big head, has always maintained a strong creative vitality.
However, not all of them have chosen the same path. For example, Wu Yuhua, who played the "third party" Xiao Yuzhu in the TV series "Desire", resolutely devoted herself to the business world and has now become a billionaire.
This is undoubtedly a remarkable transformation!
However, it is a pity that some outstanding actors have left us. Among them, Lan Tianye, who played Wang Zitao in the play, unfortunately passed away in 2022 and will no longer be able to show his superb acting skills in front of the audience.
The same tragedy happened to Zheng Qianlong, who died young of cancer in 2007.
Despite the ruthlessness of time and the passage of time, the images of these actors who have left a deep impression on the audience are still deeply imprinted in people's memories. The "Desire" they jointly created has become an unforgettable collective memory for a generation.
It is worth mentioning that in 2021, that is, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the broadcast of "Desire", the crew specially held a grand party for all members. Both the staff in front of the stage and behind the scenes gathered at the scene of CCTV's Channel 4's "Chinese Literature and Art: A Tribute to the Classics" column to share the touching story behind this work.
Although the years have left traces on everyone's face, the love and dedication to art have never changed. This reunion is also known as the most complete reunion in the history of the crew of "Desire".
After the show aired, it immediately triggered the audience's fond memories of this classic series. They once again indulged in those familiar plots and characters, as if they had gone back in time and returned to that innocent and fiery era.