Wang Lei, the first secretary of the contemporary rural theme TV series "Huakaishan Township": "Everyone should have a sense of responsibility"

Source: Global Times

In the contemporary rural theme TV series "Huakaishan Township" (formerly "First Secretary of the Countryside"), actors Wang Lei and Li Xiaomeng played the roles of First Secretary Bai Lang and Rural Female Teacher Mai Xi respectively. In an exclusive interview with the Global Times reporter, the two admitted that the characters they played this time were the same age as themselves in real life, and the process of shaping the role was also a valuable experience in their own growth.

Stills from "Blossom Mountain Township"

Wang Lei told the Global Times reporter that there are many grassroots cadres like Bai Lang in the country who are selflessly fighting in the front line of rural revitalization. This made him often think: How can these young cadres gain the trust of the local villagers? How do they give? What kind of mission does he carry? With these questions in mind, Wang Lei "drilled" into the role, "I feel admiration for them, and the creative process is exciting."

Li Xiaomeng shared a scene that impressed her. When the villagers bid farewell to Secretary Bai Lang, everyone was immersed in the emotion of parting. When Bai Lang's car slowly drove over, everyone wept uncontrollably, and Bai Lang also had tears in his eyes. "It's not a show, but when cadres and the people establish an inseparable connection, the emotions flow naturally." Li Xiaomeng told the Global Times reporter.

Before the official filming of "Huakaishan Township", Wang Lei made full preparations: carefully read the original novel "The First Secretary of the Countryside", and watched many videos of cadres stationed in villages living, working and parting together on the Internet. He recalled to the Global Times reporter that the sincere feelings between them can be felt across the screen, which is a kind of family affection established after getting along day and night and working together.

When talking about what information he hopes to convey through the play, Li Xiaomeng said, "This deep dive into the countryside makes me feel that the campus buildings in the countryside are getting better and better, but there is a special shortage of teachers. I hope that through this play, I hope to appeal to young people to devote a year or a period of time to teaching in remote areas, and even a little contribution may change a child's life." Wang Lei told the Global Times reporter that not only "Bai Lang" or "Mai Xi", all of us should have a sense of responsibility and mission, and work together to build a better home.