Zhao Lu Si on how she is similar to Duanwu – The Story of Pearl Girl

The Youku drama The Story of Pearl Girl has concluded its run of 40 episodes, leaving fans with empty feelings. Zhao Lu Si, who played the role of Duanwu, shares her understanding of the character in interviews with local media and Global Times.  

The Story of Pearl Girl is adapted from Tan Tian Yin's novel "Kun Shan Yu Qian Zhuan" and tells the story of a pearl diver named Duanwu (Zhao Lu Si), who escapes from her pearl farm to be free from humiliation. The C-drama portrays how Duanwu overcomes struggles, including the loss of her beloved and betrayal by those she trusted, and how she, with her intelligence and courage, ultimately becomes a prominent businesswoman.

The series was highly anticipated by both C-drama and Zhao Lu Si's fans, and it certainly lived up to expectations. During its run, The Story of Pearl Girl became one of the most popular shows airing in China. With its release on Netflix, it is now gaining even more worldwide recognition.

Given the drama's popularity, Zhao Lu Si shared how she relates to Duanwu, what she admires about her, and more.

In her view, Duanwu is a grounded and inspiring person who, at first, did not harbor grand ambitions but instead worked steadily and persistently, ultimately achieving success. "Every step of her growth comes from her own hard work and struggles. This growth feels very real," Zhao Lu Si remarked with emotion, adding, "I feel like I am Duanwu!"

Read on to know more about Zhao Lu Si's thoughts on her The Story of Pearl Girl character. 

Note: The following text contains spoilers from the drama. Read at your discretion.

Zhao Lu Si talks about when Duanwu almost gave up

In the Chinese drama, Duanwu's story begins on a tragic note: as a child, she was abducted to work as a pearl-diving slave at the Cui family's pearl farm. Every day, she risked her life diving for pearls, adding to that cruelty, also endured flogging and starvation.

Despite what she faced growing up as a slave, Duanwu always harbored a deep yearning for freedom and seized every opportunity to escape the pearl farm.

Zhao Lu Si admitted, "When I first read the script, I was amazed by Duanwu's fierce will to survive." Yet even this brave and fearless woman, at one point in time, felt like giving up. 

One life-changing experience for Duanwu was her escape from the Cui family's pearl farm. While fleeing, the small boat she was on collided with a larger boat carrying Zhang Jin Ran (Tang Xiao Tian), causing her to fall into the ocean. 

"At first, when she fell into the water, Duanwu's survival instincts kicked in, and she struggled desperately to stay afloat. But then, she suddenly felt that she had no attachment to the world and thought of giving up and letting herself sink to the bottom. Luckily, Zhang Jin Ran saved her. For her, this felt like a chance to restart her life."

However, even after restarting her life, Duanwu's journey remains steeped in tragedy. In the later plot developments, the Black Dragon bandits disguise themselves as the people of Yan's trade caravan and launch a surprise attack. Duanwu loses dear friends overnight.

Zhao Lu Si reflected, "Duanwu's life seems to be a constant cycle of gaining and losing. I think that's the cruelest thing [that can happen to anyone]. Sometimes I wonder if it would have been less painful for her if she had never gained anything in the first place."

Despite the life-turning experiences Duanwu's resilience keeps her going. She renames herself Su Mu Zhe, starts her own business, and eventually rises to become a successful female entrepreneur.

"Duanwu never waited for someone to save her, nor did she rely on any so-called 'protagonist privilege' [special privileges, luck, or extraordinary circumstances the protagonists get or experience in the story]. She forged her own path step by step, working hard and holding up an umbrella for herself," Zhao Lu Si said.

Zhao Lu Si on how she is similar to Duanwu

Like Duanwu, Zhao Lu Si embodies a certain resilience. While filming underwater scenes, she repeatedly dived into the water, striving for the best possible performance. "The crew built a real set in an abandoned swimming pool and arranged props underwater. It was winter at the time, so the pool water was very cold. My vision underwater was poor, and paint and sand would often get into my eyes, so filming was quite challenging," Zhao recalled.

Zhao also resonates deeply with Duanwu. "I feel like I am Duanwu. At first, Duanwu didn't have grand ambitions — becoming Su Muzhe and a businesswoman was an unexpected joy for her. I'm the same. When I debuted eight years ago, I felt quite lost, unsure of where I was headed. Becoming the Zhao Lu Si I am today has been a pleasant surprise [to me]. In this sense, Duanwu and I are alike — we both focus on doing our best in the present." 

"It's a very human approach to ambition, which I think resonates with everyone." "I hope people are inspired to keep pushing forward, just like Duan Wu." "Working hard, step by step, is often the best way to achieve what you want," she said to Global Times. 

Before filming The Story of Pearl Girl, Zhao was undergoing a period of personal growth. When she read the script, she felt a connection to Duanwu, which helped her fully bring out the character's personality. "Many of my senior actresses visited the set at the time. Watching my performance through the monitor, they told me that my acting had become more steady, that my eye acting had grown richer, and that I'd grown a lot."

This growth has also filled Zhao Lu Si with greater anticipation for the future: "As long as I focus on taking each step steadily, I believe the future will turn out just fine."

Zhao Lu Si talks about the importance of costumes in representing the character's growth

The Chinese actress had to wear a variety of costumes and make-up styles for the drama's filming to portray Duanwu's growth and journey.

Speaking with Global Times about why this is a crucial part of The Story of Pearl Girl, she said, "In history, these hairpieces symbolized vitality, almost like a blossoming life." "I love that we incorporated this visual detail - it makes the character's journey feel all the more real." 

Zhao Lu Si's thoughts on her responsibilities as a world-famous Chinese actress

In regards to the increasing global popularity of Chinese dramas, the actress thinks that this trend stems from a blend of excellent storytelling and universal values.

"I think China's 5,000-year history and culture are intriguing to international viewers." "Chinese historical dramas offer a fresh, direct way for other peoples to experience our culture."

The news outlet reports Zhao Lu Si saying that Chinese historical dramas, in particular, offer a unique opportunity to showcase the nation's rich history and values, while helping audiences connect with China on a deeper level.

"Emotions are universal." "These themes [of friendship, love, family] are the purest and most genuine experiences. I believe that's what resonates deeply with audiences around the world."

Zhao's popularity has grown significantly in recent years, leading her to become one of the representatives of Chinese dramas overseas. The actress wholeheartedly accepts the responsibility that comes with this admiration. 

"As an actress, I feel a duty to share Chinese culture, to give fans and viewers a glimpse of the beauty of our heritage."

"I think actors and actresses have a unique power to spread positive energy and to introduce our culture to new audiences," she said. "Chinese dramas, including historical series, have a strong global reputation. I feel it's our duty to promote them and share that strength with the world."

Sources: Beijing News, Global Times