ACTOR PROFILE OF Chen Zheyuan (陈哲远) TPATW July-August 2023

ACTOR PROFILE OF   Chén Zhéyuǎn (陈哲远)

In a nutshell, this video :  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eKOqzRU_TPM

NAME (a very meaningful one!):   

• 陈 [Chén, a name which was also that of a state  during the rule of the longest Chinese dynasty,  Zhou dynasty, in ancient Chinese History c.1045-479 BC, and later, Chén was also 557-589 the name of one of "Southern Dynasties" whose descendants were highly valued in Tang dynasty,  and included in the dynastic History Book of Chen. Monk Xuanzang's name was Chén Yī, he was the pilgrim sage who brought Buddhist scriptures from India and translated them to Chinese: he is the main character in the classic book Journey To The West...]    
• 哲 [zhè/meaning "wise man"] as in 哲学  [zhéxué / "philosophy"]; 
• 远  [yuǎn/meaning "far, profound"] as in  永远 [yǒngyuǎn / "forever"} 

A Chinese actor and singer managed by Gramarie entertainment, CZY  made his acting debut in the 2017 youth series All About Secrets. In 2018, he made his big-screen debut in the comedy film Miss Puff.   -- In 2023, he was the ML in two Youku dramas : Hidden Love (paired with Zhào Lùsī, for whom there is an Ultra Fan guide linked) and of The Princess and the Werewolf, a loose sequel to Go Princess Go! In TPATW, he was paired with Wú Xuānyí (吴宣仪),  for whom there is a Profile, linked).  HL drama was especially successful, and TPATW honorably too.  He is also a top model for several big name brands, and Chén Zhéyuǎn graced the cover of FIGARO Men August Issue magazine 2023 (which also advertises an "in depth interview") [see below,  cover and links to the Photoshoot, in the Modeling section]

1/ BIODATA, family, pet, personality, nickname - FANDOM

Chén Zhèyuǎn is 180cm tall (5'10 ¾" close to 5'11") ; about 62 kg (136.4 lbs).

My gif: Chén Zhé Yuǎn growing up

Born on October 29, 1996, in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China,  Chén Zhé Yuǎn is Scorpio,  Chinese zodiac Rat sign and Fire element "very energetic, and  brave enough to face any difficulty and danger. Fire Rats are cordial and friendly to their friends but very strict with themselves." He is a rather private person.  Except for sharing a few pictures of his childhood such as,  his riding a sculpture of a hippopotamus in April 2001 (to celebrate Children's day 2023.06.01), and  of his big white cat Liu Yi  (6-1)  he does not talk much about his school years,  his family, mother, father, two younger sisters, beloved grandparents, or possible girlfriends. We only know he was raised and educated in Shenzhen, graduating from the Department of Performance Arts of Shenzhen University.

[I read that his parents were divorced and that was the sadness he drew on when he did the crying scene at the cemetary in Hidden Love, perhaps that's true. Someone said he had ben raised by his grandparents...]. A video did catch him in a flash of sudden grief, when he once phoned his dad, and the comforting words he knew he'd never hear from him suddenly broke young CZY's usual brave and cheerful front:

Facial expression snippets : #1, #2, #3, #4

He has got distinctive big ears, which according to tradition is auspicious for wealth and prosperity! Indeed he isn't poor, if the data collected by some vloggers is correct :  his fortune is estimated at 5 million USD, and he owns a collection of cars worth millions, several properties in China including a million dollar worth house which is his main residence in Beijing. All earned from hard work, since he is not known to be from a superrich family. In addition to mandarin, Chén Zhéyuǎn "can speak and understand English very fluently. He also has some knowledge of Korean and of Japanese languages as well." (gdatamart)

PETS He likes cats and has rescued some, but was somewhat wary of dogs, until Zhao Lusi introduced him to her pet dachshund DouDou. If CZY was an animal, he'd be a leopard, quick to catch his prey, said he in an interview! <--- Taking care of Liu Yi, his big white cat.  [Stills from Wēibó reposted to FB CZY Precious Boy fan page, recut and labeled by me}

He has been rumored with several co-stars, but relationships were never confirmed, and at 26, he is officially single.  He appears easy going and goofy, but his killer smile and contagious or uproarious laughter are the front of a hard working person.   

This video (in Chinese, no subtitles) shows his evolution physically from age 1 to 23, with a quick overview of the TV series and movies he participated in till 2018.

PERSONALITY

In a 2022 interview, Chén Zhé Yuǎn  told about his taking twice the MBTI test (Myers–Briggs Type Indicator of personality) and getting two different results : INFP "a person with a lot of ideas, but likely to be emotional"  and INTJ. "an imaginative person".  Both introvert types.  When asked about how he is in reality, he always says the laughs are a cover, but in fact he is a "very calm person".

"INFP - The Mediator: Idealistic with high values,  strives to make the world a better place." ;                         "INTJ - The Architect: Highly logical, both very creative and analytical."

NICKNAME :

His current nickname is "YuǎnYuǎn" 远远 : that's how he introduced himself on stage at a pep talk for students; although some biodata still has it  as "Zhé", one even saying that he likes his fans to call him Gēge (given the ambiguity of the word now, I doubted that he liked it so much any longer.  Chéngē 陈哥 would be better then, like Victor Ma called him, or like Shen Yue called him in an interview : XiǎoChén 小陈).  But asked about it, in the August 7, 2023 interview for The Princess and the Werewolf linked below and another for Hidden Love, he answered that he still likes his fans to call him Gēge.

(*) Learn more about the yuanbao or sycee, as a traditional auspicious symbol used in Chinese New Year decorations, and as currency and treasure in Ancient China. The size and shape of yuanbao could actually be varied : ingots, bars, even coins like this Ming dynasty one  (below, and information about it linked; it is not the only coin that carries a yuanbao name, there is also the Chunhua Yuanbao pictured to the right below which had an inscription in emperor Taizong's valued calligraphy ); and the metal was also diverse : gold, silver, copper... 

But the coins were not considered as yuanbao per se, since they had to be stringed together to be exchanged for the proper, usually boat shaped yuanbao.  As Baidu explains : "Yuanbao originated in the Tang Dynasty. In the early Tang Dynasty (780~783), there were records of using silver to pay large amounts of horse money (i.e. money to buy horses). It has also been confirmed from the unearthed treasures that silver was used in the Tang Dynasty. The "silver collar"  looks like a boat on its back and looks like a case (tabletop) on its face. The term "silver collar" as "Yuanbao" began in the Yuan Dynasty. In the third year of the Yuan Dynasty, the silver from Pinghuaiku (the national bank at that time) was melted into "ingots". Any weight up to 50 taels was called "Yuanbao". It also means "treasure of the Yuan Dynasty".   Note : the tael weight unit was fixed in China at 50 grams (1 3/4 oz.) of standard silver in 1959. Before, it could vary...

The yuanbao form represented both a money pouch  and a horse's foot as  dual symbolism of protection and good speed into the netherworld.

silver ingot "saddlepack" yuanbao specific to Yunnan in 1800s

Song dynasty yuanbao ingot with long calligraphy on top.

Henan Yaoding. Silver Provincial Waisted Ingots. 4.75 Tael Ingot.

Copper Mingdao yuanbao coin

Chunhua yuanbao coins (Minted in the first year of Chunhua (AD 990), Emperor Taizong of the Northern Song Dynasty. )

A group of three Chinese silver sycee-style ingots, lengths ranging from 5.8cm to 3.2cm.

Coinpicker's Chinese Silver Treasure Hoard : round "cao ding" drum shape or "yuansi" (silk shoe) shape ;  "zhong ding" or "yuanbao" boat shape, bars...

Chinese New Year decoration

Today, yuanbao come in even more varieties (even paper, to burn as offerings to the "other world"!), as its uses for fengshui and rituals. The character 宝 means treasure, and is also used in the endearing word 宝贝  [Bǎobèi]:  Baby. -- The fandom name is fitting for a wide variety of people then !

2/  THE ACTOR

He said he always wanted to enter entertainment, since he was a child, so first tried his luck in an iQiyi talent scouting contest called King of Pop, when he was 19, in 2015, and joined the boy group Mr. Bio formed there, while seizing the opportunity to  take part in other screen appearances, shows, dramas, and movies.

Chén Zhéyuǎn Dramas, Movies, selected videos 

2020 Handsome Siblings  (as Xiǎo Yú er 小鱼儿, with Liáng Jié 梁洁, Vicky Liáng Jìngxián 梁婧娴, Hú Yītiān 胡一天; Gallen Lo/Luó Jiāliáng 羅嘉良, Tay PingHui/ Zhèng Bīnhuī 郑斌辉-)     绝代双骄 [Juédài shuāng jiāo] | iQiyi / Netflix , 44 episodes.  Director:   Zōu Jíchéng 邹集城 ,  Bái YúnMò 白云默, from a novel by Gǔ Lóng  古龍. [Shooting dates 2018.02-2018.07 in Héngdiàn 横店、Xiàngshān 象山、Yúnnán 云南、Běijīng 北京 and other places.] ‘Handsome Siblings’ is based on the novel ‘Juédài shuāng jiāo'  (绝代双骄) by Gǔ Lóng. The drama is about the story of twin brothers who were separated at birth but grew up to become supreme martial artists. The mischievous  Jiāng Xiǎo Yú'er (江小鱼儿) is played by Chén Zhéyuǎn, alongside Hú Yītiān  in the role of  Huā Wúquē/Jiāng Fēng 花无缺/江枫 . The drama is popular for its action sequences, beautiful visuals, and engaging story. "   ---   snippet :  Xiǎo Yú'er  Other adaptations of the novel exist, starting with a 1971 movie, where Xiao YuEr is a girl  (The Jade faced Assassin). Three other HK dramas and another movie followed until 1992 , + a Taiwanese drama in 1999 with a sequel; and a Filipino movie in 2013.

2020  Renascence  (as Prince Yè Jūnqīng 夜君清, with Lǐ Mòzhī 李墨之 as princess Yáo Mòwǎn 姚莫婉)  凤唳九天 [Fèng lì jiǔtiān] "Phoenix and Nine Heavens"  | MGTV iQiyi, Viki,  Youtube 36 episodes. Directors:   Liú Hǎibō 刘海波,  Shěn Yáng 沈阳, Adapted from a manhua [Shooting dates 2018.10-2019.01 in Héngdiàn  横店]          "This drama was based on a graphic novel known as ‘The Cry of the Phoenix That Reached Ninth Heaven’. ‘Renascence’ is a must-watch for fans of historical dramas, wuxia dramas, and strong female characters. It is a well-made and entertaining drama that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. The drama stars  Lǐ Mòzhī   (Yáo Mòwǎn) along with Chén Zhéyuǎn  (as Yè Jūnqīng)  in the main roles."   To read the novel in translation, go to  MoonbunnyCafe (Volume 1) and Yumeabyss (Rest of the Novel)

2021 Our Secret (as Zhōu Sīyuè 周斯越 with Rainbow Xú Mèngjié 徐梦洁 as Dīng Xiàn 丁羡)           - 暗格里的秘密  [Àngélǐ de mìmì ]   | MGTV / iQiyi, Viki, 24 episodes   Director: Zhāng Xiào'ān 张笑安 , story from the novel “Secrets in the Lattice” by Ěr Dōng Tùzǐ 耳东兔子 . [shooting 2021.03.01-2021.04.21 in Zhōngshān 中山 Guǎngdōng, aired 2021.08.10- 2021.09.02 on MGTV] "‘Our Secret’ is a 2021 television drama based on the Chinese novel 'Secrets in the Lattice' by Er Dong Tu Zi. During high school, Zhōu Sīyuè (周斯越) and transfer student Dīng Xiàn initially couldn't stand one another. They came to appreciate each other's strengths in their day-to-day interactions. Dīng Xiàn who was more interested in arts than in sciences, still followed Zhōu Sīyuè   into the same Huáqīng college where he studied computer science. Their relationship had ups and downs, but it ended up as the love of a lifetime for them.  Bilibili fan summaryOS snippets :  Late at school ;  high school romance ; protection; first hit ;  ZSY basketball champ ; attack kiss ;      ZSY & DX at cinema ; shadows ; gift theft ;  heartbreak  ;  rejection ;  main couples ; ZSY & DX quick story On Friends to Lovers drama list

2022 Mr Bad (as Xiāo Wúdí  萧无敌/Xiāo Xiōng  with Shěn Yuè 沈月 as Nán Xīng 南星) -                   我的反派男友  [Wǒde fǎnpài nányǒu]   iQiyi, Viki, 24 episodes.  Director: Lǐ Qīngróng 李青蓉 (previously directed Stop! Miss Hua and Go Go Squid)  [shooting dates 2021.11.01-2022.02.05  in Níngbō 宁波; distribution licence 2022.08.04; airing 2022.09.30- 2022.10.09 on iQiyi]- Trailer   ‘Mr. Bad’ is a romantic comedy with a fantasy twist. Nán Xīng is an online budding novelist by evening and a publisher's assistant by day. She invents Xiāo Wúdí, a villain character who suddenly appears in real life and, from a wuxia world, morphs into a successful person in modern times.  "It is  funny, heartwarming, and suspenseful and will keep you entertained from beginning to end". MrB snippets :  XWD resenting the summons ; BTS XWD ;   sweet moments  ; wedding ;  epilogue --- +  funny promotional interview (4'53)

2023  Hidden Love (as Duàn Jiāxǔ Jiaxu 段嘉许  with Zhào Lùsī 赵露思 as Sāng zhì 桑稚 and Victor Mǎ Bóqiān 马伯骞 as Sāng Yán 桑延) 偷偷藏不住 [Tōutōu cáng bù zhù],  Youku, Netflix, 25 episodes.   Director: Lǐ Qīngróng 李青蓉 (same as Mr.Bad), from a novel by Zhú Yǐ  竹已. [drama shooting 2022.08.14- 2022.11.14, in Xiàmén 厦门, Fújiàn; airing 2023.06.20  -2023.07. on Youku] poster shooting snippet. The love story of Sāng hì and Duàn Jiāxǔ, friend of Zhi's brither Sāng Yán, has conquered audiences around the planet, with Netflix picking up this drama to show it to other markets.  Sāng Zhì goes trough childhood yearning for a nicer big brother, to one-sided adolescent crush on her brother's friend who briefly acts  as physics tutor to improve her results and is unaware of her feelings, uninterested in romance anyway, because of other concerns. Zhì  is soon left with a heartbreak, from a misunderstanding (ep.7). Two years later, she meets her former crush and this time, the handsome e-game developer warms up to her, and a real adult love story can develop. 10,000 x13 consecutive days in July heat index Shooting locations & dates (+ characters analysis, details about stars making, car, hidden messages in paper stars and license plates, birthday pie, real cities models for the fictional cities etc)

2023 The Princess and the Werewolf (as Kuí Mùláng  奎木狼  /Lǐ Xióng  李雄  with Wú Xuānyí as Qí Pā 齐葩)  郎君不如意 [Láng jūn bùrúyì] Youku, YouTube Youku English channel, 30 episodes.  Director : Chéng Fēng  澄丰, from a novel by Orange - Xiān Chéng   鲜橙. [drama shooting 2021.06.11- 2021.09.11  in Héngdiàn 横店, airing 2023.07.20- 2023.08.  on Youku]  Trailer. In  this fantasy comedy, loosely related to Go Princess Go! as a sequel, also inspired by the tale of Beauty and the Beast, CZY plays the role of the shape-shifting Beast kingdom king Kuí Mùláng, who needs to recover a pearl that the nearby kingdom princess Qí Pā (Wú Xuānyí) accidentally ingested. but the recovery can only be done safely if she falls in love with him and marries him. On the way, he is  first to fall for her, of course, while the ebullient princess insists on not marrying and wanting to go home... (gif made by me) Cast, Characters, Crew (complete cast with biographies, incl. dubbers and child actors, links to songs and dramas of Wú Xuānyí, character analysis, explanations of words, star mansion, birthday cake, book, making of in Hengdian studios and dates, airing, interviews, reception, regulations... + my gifs for the drama)

HL Snippets :   plastic surgery ;  first meetings ;  name ; Zhi bullied ; bullies punished ; Zhi & Yan (russian dub) ; face saving ; centralized a/c ; picture of "Brother 2";  Zhi's CNY gift ; Jiaxu's graduation; heartbreak Moving on ;  meeting inYihe ;  bad start ; BTS better than head kiss!  Jiaxu sick ; pufferfish1  pufferfish2 ; J thinking ;   Jiang Jing attack;  first snow;  drunk Zhi ; confessions ; Jiaxu w /wo glasses ; Jiaxu falling in love ; crushing ; jealous /jealous2 ;  ZhiZhi?  ; strawberries ; It's me! ;  carrying bags ;    defective gift ; date ;  Zhi jealous ; Watermelon ;  Do I look young? ;  bracelet ; Going to Jiaxu's birthday ;   Jiaxu ; pyjamas ,  comforting intern ;  ambush ;   camping ; the secret ;   can't leave ;  1st & last look  Additional funny making of BTS ; symbols of colors in the Zhi drawings & CZY/ZLS fandom colors ; adorable stolen kiss short Bilibili presentation trailer

TPATW Snippets :  Introduction ; Abduction ;  Durian can solve all trouble ;  QiPa & Kui Mulang/Li Xiong ; KML rescued QP from Prince ; assassin attack ; Li Xiong as QP's woman ;  KML hurt, saved QP ;  beach volley ;  KML proposed ;  QP pregnant? ; Jing Muhan unmasked the king ; Reluctant marriage to Wolf King ; KML got hurt saving QP ;   intoxicated Kui Mulang ;  Date on the mountain ; QP Birthday ; Perfect Li Xiong ;  dancing in the palace ;  Future queen selection ;   LX forgot what he said in a coma ;  QP got hurt ;  Blind QP ; Suspecting ;  QP finds out KML/LX are one ; Will KML admit it? ; heartbreak ; Additional :  CZY  interview about his role as Kui Mulang / Li Xiong  (August 7, 2023)

Chén Zhéyuǎn  has shared for CCTV6 thoughts about the dramas he performed in : no English subtitles, but some well chosen representative footage and  Jianghaven contributor "mademoiselle" posted a rough summary translation on their "[C-Artist] Chén Zhéyuǎn 陈哲远" page  : 

"• First time acting, he said he totally had no idea how to act and was terrified of the camera. A lot of people helped him and he learnt that acting was fun, so he carried on with it. ---  • Handsome Siblings was a breakthrough drama for him in the sense that his personality is the complete opposite of Xiao Yu-er. He is the kind of person who fears making mistake. He learnt to let go while playing Yu-er and as he became Yu-er, he became bolder in performing and braver in making mistake and not feared it. ---• [current project Spy drama] He said that when he first entered the production, he felt like he didn't know how to act. All his previous experiences and what he learnt before are incompatible with this drama. He had to start afresh. It was painful but he's happy. Because there are many veteran actors in this drama, he will approach all these actors and asked them for advice. They will all help him. ---[Work and life]  • He will feel a sense of crisis if he's free for too long. Maximum free time is 2 weeks and then he must do something like reading a script. --- [Accent] • He is from Shenzhen and has Cantonese accent in his Mandarin, and sometimes his brain moves faster than his mouth (he stutters when this happens) or he has a slow reacton, he finds it challenging for line delivery and that compared to others, he'll have to work harder. "

His pairing with Zhào Lùsī in Hidden Love brought him much attention. In the C-pop news  was this : "After the breakup of the “Wu Lu Ke Tao” drama couple (Zhào Lùsī/ Leo Wu from Love Like The  Galaxy), many fans shifted their support to Zhào Lùsī and Chén Zhéyuǎn’s pairing and quickly named them “Yuǎn Xíng Bì Lù (远形毕露)” This demonstrates the immense charm of the new drama “Hidden Love”!"  Both became friends on set. " Zhào Lùsī expressed that Chén Zhéyuǎn is an interesting, talented, and responsible actor, and working with him is enjoyable. Chén Zhéyuǎn also praised Zhào Lùsī as a smart, hardworking, and lovely actress, and working with her brings him happiness. -- Currently, Zhào Lùsī and Chén Zhéyuǎn have a normal colleague-friend relationship and no romantic involvement."

Upcoming dramas : 

Chinese Paladin 4 - The Legend of Sword and Fairy 《仙剑奇侠传四》 {xiānjiàn qí xiá chuán sì”] CZY as Yún Tiānhé  with Jū Jìngyī as Hán Língshā. [Shooting 2022.02.16-2022.06.16]   The drama was projected  for  airing  in 2023 on iQiyi. The story is adapted from the popular RPG of the same name. "The play tells the story of Hán Língshā  韩菱纱  played by  Jū Jìngyī  鞠婧祎), Yún Tiānhé 云天河 (played by Chen Zhéyuǎn), Liǔ Mènglí 柳梦璃 (played by Máo Xiǎohuì 毛晓慧) and Mùróng Zǐyīng 慕容紫英 (played by Máo Zijùn 茅子俊)  who are involved in the dispute between the two worlds of monsters during the journey of "seeking immortals". The four of them try their best to save the common people in various adversities and write a legendary story. "The investment of the play is as high as 300 million RMB, with excellent production and strong cast. The looks of Chén Zhéyuǎn and Jū Jìngyī are obvious to all. In addition, the show also has beautiful men and women such as Máo Zijùn, Máo Xiǎohuì, Wāng Duó 汪铎, (who plays  Xuán Xiāo 玄霄)  and Chén Chǔhé 陳楚河 (who plays Yún TiānQīng 云天青) joining in. It is expected to be a reappearance of the classics."  [min.news and Baidu] The series,  which can be watched as independent stories in same universe, started in 2005 with Chinese Paladin, followed by Chinese Paladin 3 (2009) and Chinese Paladin 5 (2016), which should shortly be followed by Chinese Paladin 6 (2024 on Tencent?) starring Xu Kai.  Chinese Paladin 4 is described as a prequel to Chinese paladin 3 ; and these are both "prequels" to the original Chinese Paladin, while Chinese Paladin 2 did not come into being: numbers jumble... :-) And there is also a long side story called Pal Inn (2015).

Click on  pictures for articles about the drama.

[above:  my Gif from posters and snippets of shooting, some from CZY Instagram reposts,  recut and put together, to illustrate DNAD] Explosive trailer in Chinese on Weibo tbw. (3min20) * White olive tree  白色橄榄树 [Báisè Gǎnlǎn Shù]. CZL is ML Lǐ Zàn 李瓒 ("demolition expert" and "explosives engineer"), paired with Liáng Jié 梁洁 (as Liangcheng TV reporter FL Sòng Rǎn 宋冉). They lose contact after a deadly bombing and a time for recovery, find each oher again to "plant white olive tree seeds together". (Baidu, still unsure about cast and crew as of 2023.09.16!) The original story 《白色橄榄树》by  Jiǔ YuèXī (玖月晞) was described as a dark tragedy about a soldier and a journalist, but fears have been appeased apparently, in that it will be an adaptation.  The drama booting ceremony took place 2023.09.16 one week before filming starts in Sichuan, Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture. Filming is scheduled for 150 days. 40 eps. To air on iQiyi in 2024. The drama adaptation will not, after much discussion, copy the original novel, but here is  a link to a translation into English to make your opinion about it. My Gifs (merged) from Twitter repost of Weibo and TikTok videos, adding texts: booting and search for FL.

Dark Night and Dawn   暗夜与黎明 projected for airing in 2024 on CCTV + iQiyi. [shooting dates  2023.07.10- 2023.08.23 in Shanghai, i.e.  43 days July-August ; CZY joined the cast on April 28, 2023, before the booting ceremony on May 21]. Starring:    Chén Zhéyuǎn as Lín Shàobái 林少白,   Xíng Fēi 邢菲  as Jīn Yán 金妍,                      Niè Yuǎn 聂远 as Lù Zhèngyáng 陆正阳,  Annabel Yao as Cén Xiǎomǎn 岑小满     (cast lineup released in July 2023 on Weibo)  - Story :  Lù Zhèngyáng, a member of the Communist underground, and Lín Shàobái, a policeman, first met after an explosion in 1943 in Shanghai. After 1949, Lù Zhèngyáng now on the city public security bureau recruits Lín Shàobái. They team up to crack cases involving enemy agents.  Crew:   Directors: Lǐ Cái  李才 (dir. of  2024 The Last Immortal; 2021 Ancient Love Poetry ; 2018 Legend of Fuyao; 2017 Princess Agents) and Huang Nan 黄楠  ; Screenwriter: Mr Wēng Liángpíng  翁良平 (who specializes in revolutionary era dramas); Producer: "Jane" Zhào Jie 赵洁 ; Cinematographer: Zhāng Wén Jié  张文杰; Art Director:  Liú  Jīng Píng 刘京平; Stylist: Chén Tóng Xūn 陈同勋; Company: TH Entertainment, Bodi Media - White olive tree

 LATEST NEWS : A RESHOOT !.... or not?   no news since end August.

The Golden Hairpin  [Qīng Zānxíng 青簪行]  which was an S+ (expensive) drama that got stopped in its tracks because of a scandal, will start reshooting, for two weeks in September, the scenes that were initially shot with jailed Kris Wu.  Chén Zhéyuǎn  and Yáng Zǐ   were rumored to have been asked to come back to redo the scenes that need to be reshot. (Full story on koalasplayground  2023.08.28) Cast now :   Chén Zhéyuǎn as SML Yǔ Xuān 禹宣  Xuān Yán 宣言 (as Wáng Yùn 王蕴)  Yáng Zǐ  杨紫 (as Huáng Zǐxiá 黄梓瑕)   Kenny Lin / Lín Gēngxīn  林更新 (as Li Shubai )  Qiū Xīnzhì  邱心志 (as  Wáng Zōngshí   王宗实) Calvin Yú Xiǎowěi 于小伟  (as Emperor Huángdì 皇帝) Suí Jùnbō 隋俊波 (as Empress Wáng Huánghòu 王皇后) Zhào Yīngbó 赵英博  (as 7th Prince Qī Wángyé 七王爷) Lǐ Yìnán 李逸男 (as 9th Prince Jiǔ Wángyé 九王爷) Ruǎn Jù 阮巨 (as Princess  Qí Lè jùn zhǔ 歧乐郡主) Liú Yǐháng 刘已航 (as Zhōu Zi Qín 周子秦) Summary of story and rest of cast on Baidu

Projects discussed but not filmed yet : 

*  Qian Xiang Yin (千香引) from a novel by Shi Si Lang (十四郎), possibly titled Love and Redemption 2, wuxia with CZY as ML Lei XiuYuan  ;

* Gong Yu ( /Attack Jade), from a novel by Ning Long, historical romance with rumored CZY and Bái Lù Lu,but not much is known about it at this stage, if and when it gets through in the thick catalogue of Youku projects that is being submitted to different possible cast. (No story on Baidu yet)

Note1 : A news report gave some information  in July 2023 about the 5 dramas, CZY was forecast to play in. But in Sept 2022, an FB post had remarked that  "It's a pity that he got two S+ [high quality] dramas that have been buried : The Golden Hairpin (as 2ML) and The Winner Is King."  

Clips from the drama /trailer, subtitled in English. Audio drama subtitled in English (only beginning of story).

Winner is King     The steampunk drama, previously projected to air on Tencent TV in May 2021, is still "TBA", maybe postponed for long because it is a bromance, from a novel by Priest.  It had first changed Chinese name from "Shā Pò Láng" 杀破狼 to “ Fēnghuǒ Liú Jīn” 烽火流金 also known as "Fighting Fire and Flowing Gold" and it was decreased from 46eps to 40 eps. in May 2021. CZY was playing as Cháng Gēng 长庚, together with Tán Jiàncì 檀健次 (*) as Gù Yún 顾昀;  Lǐ Hóngyì 李宏毅 as Shěn Yì 沈易/Jì Píng Ping 季平; Sūn ānkě  孙安可 aka 张晓唯 Zhāng Xiǎowéi) as Chén Qīngxù 陈轻絮. Director :  Zhōu Yuǎnzhōu 周远舟 (well-known from dramas Sparrow, Noble Aspirations, Guardian) assisted by Fàn Jīnxuān 范金轩.  [shooting took place for 133 days, 2020.07.04- 2020.11.13] Summary : In the age of the Great Liáng 大梁 Dynasty, the lives of the people were made convenient with steam-powered machines that run on a fuel named Violetstream Gold. But the Heavenly Wolf tribe waited for an opportunity to invade and reignite a war against Northern Xuān. In a small town, 12 years old Cháng Gēng,  was saved from wolves by 19 years old  Shěn Shíliù, and took him as his foster-father.  Cháng Gēng  later discovered that he was the fourth prince of Northern Xuān, and that Shěn Shíliù was Gù Yún, the commander of Xuān Tiě army who defeated the Heavenly Wolf tribe, and escorted Cháng Gēng to the capital city. Lǐ Fēng was the new Emperor or Northern Xuān, after the death of his predecessor, but his foundation was unstable. The ambitious Prince of Wèi was eyeing his throne, and created a crisis. Lǐ Fēng, wary of Gù Yún's military prowess, sent Gù Yún to guard the boarders. Cháng Gēng also chose to join the Línyuān  Court, followed them to travel and experience life. After several years, he grew up into a talented person with ambition and a talent for governing, while Northern Xuān faced both internal and external problems. Cháng Gēng returned to the capital, and used his knowledge and new-found skills, assisting the Emperor in securing his reign. However, problems kept arising, such as rebellion by the inner court officials, the assassination of Lǐ Fēng and Jiāngnán being attacked by external forces. At last, Cháng Gēng managed to ascend the throne and resurrect Běi Xuān, fulfilling his vision of world peace. (adapted from a post on FB and dramawiki) During an interview, CZY gave as answer to a question, that he had both read the Priest novel and listened to the audio drama before filming. (For those who would like to read the novel in English, there is a translated edition published by Sevenseasdanmei.com, available in two volumes, as hardcover or e-book, can be purchased also through Amazon.)

Note2:  Lots of details about recent and upcoming projects for7 dramas in this article (the translation is not good though)

(*)Tán Jiàncì  was recently starring in the still trending 2023 drama Lost You Forever.

 CONTINUED IN PART 2  BELOW.   (Music,   variety shows)

PROFILE OF CHEN ZHI YUAN  (PART 3)

5/ SPORTS likes and achievements

Chén Zhéyuǎn is known to be good at many sports, including basket ball, badminton, and football, and picked up roller skating and skateboarding easily on the set of Hidden Love.

ARCHERY

He is also an excellent archer, hitting bull's eye 3 times in a row and winning a gold medal at the  IQIYI 2019 Fan Fiesta (2019)  2019-07-14 summer sports carnival, a 6h35' event that can still be watched on iQiyi .  (The pictures below is of another contestant, WinWin of WayV  who was taking part also in archery, and was among two who flanked ZLS on podium, on the full iQiyi recording where CZY received a gold medal at 5:3110 ;   )

我的MDL奖章 哈哈哈！

Chén Zhéyuǎn and Zhào Lùsī acknowledged in a 2023 interview, that, despite they having been seated only one row apart and having walked alongside each other, with other contestants at this event in 2019, they were not acquainted yet and did not talk or exchange more than a passing glance [2nd part of this fanvid is footage from Hidden Love drama and BTS]. In fact, CZY  only really met ZLS in 2022 on the set of Hidden Love drama. where they became good friends.  This video shows excerpts from both ZLS and CZY sports performances.  To the left, CZY in SuperNovae games 2020 where he shot 3 arrows in bullseye [ turned into a GIF by me]. The games were held in July for 3 days,  in Suzhou Sports Center.  Chén Zhéyuǎn was competing in archery and in e-games.  Full 16 eps recording with English subtitles is available on WeTV.  (CZY started 15m archery competition in Ep2, 00:55:37, scoring 9-9-8  [Lǐ YúnRuì 李昀锐, "Yuan Shen" from LLTG was defending champion] ; Final round Day 1, 01:24:28 competing against Hé Chǎngxī  何昶希 [Gui Bai in "Romance of a Twin Flower"]） Interestingly, although not surprisingly, since these games were designed to showcase celebrities' skills at sports, Chén Zhéyuǎn already had crossed paths  (still not getting acquainted and not eye contacting or interacting otherwise) with another one of his next co-stars : idol Wú Xuānyí . That was in 2018 Super Nova Games Season 1 , in which he was in the South Region team, Guangdong sub-unit, while she was playing for Hainan. (More about it, and a GIF of them there, in the Wú Xuānyí Profile. )  Of course, he also crossed paths and became acquainted with other celebrities, through the variety shows he took part in, on TV that did or did not have a sports part. [But CZY  was first cast to play in dramas and a movie with two other idol friends and close colleagueof Wú Xuānyí : Rainbow Xú Mèngjié, who, like Wú Xuānyí, was a member of Rocket Girls 2018-2020. Although probably not by design, four of CZY's leading ladies appear to have been friends: Chéng Xiāo, Rainbow Xú Mèngjié, before Wú Xuānyí and Shěn Yuè .]

FISHING   

Finally, let's not forget Chén Zhéyuǎn's passion for deep sea fishing.  Here is a video of an outing on a yacht in the period of Chinese mid-autumn festival 2022, where we can see CZY happily relaxed and excited when the fish was caught !  He boarded the ship wrapped up in a long white billowy shirt, a bucket hat tied under the chin to avoid it being blown away by the wind and a black mask that he took off for fishing. When the ship left the harbor, he had fun stretching his arms Titanic-style, at the prow.  After a successful catch and a puzzling thing dragged up from the depths, he collapsed on a bench, breathing in the air, mock-acting as if he had been heavily working and was now exhausted. 

(generic gif reminding of CZY fishing style)

6/ ADVERTISEMENT & MODELING  

Of course, he has modeled for sports brands: here, Fila pop up event in Chengdu, 2023.09.05    (GIF from a short video)  See the ad further below.

But he also wears jewellery for brands, here: a nice pair of rose brooch and ring necklace from Tiffany,  in August 2023. (GIF from pictures on his Weibo)

As a tall and handsome actor, Chén Zhéyuǎn has been sought after to act as ambassador for top brands, including Shiseido skin care. He also had ads for other products such as a skin toner called Genuine Namir (an essence water made with yeast & plant extract that applies as a toner for daily use, and as a sheet mask for skin repair), Gucci and Ferragamo fashion (nice video ; subtitled part from 1:59 on this cut of longer interview), bags and shoes, or even  cat food (Jialezi golden spoon : video of CZY stroking and feeding a precious cat)  and milk ! (He was announced as the  new brand Ambassador of  Yuè Xiān Huó milk in April 2023!)     He also was on the cover of Madame Figaro magazine in December 2022,  with an accompanying short video. And now, once again, in September 2023, with the "August" issue of the magazine!

"Actor Chen Zheyuan takes the cover story of Men’s Uno China Young! Magazine‘s December 2022 edition lensed by fashion photographer Edwin Zhang. In charge fo styling was Tony Wen, with hair styling and makeup from beauty artist Tina. For the story, Chen Zheyuan is wearing selected pieces from DIOR."   Cat food ad,  GIF by me from a video reposted to FB. (full video linked)

"Actor and singer Chen Zheyuan stars in the cover story of Men’s Uno China Magazine‘s May 2023 edition lensed by fashion photographer Edwin Zhang. In charge of styling was Tony Wen, with hair styling and makeup from beauty artist Tina. For the session Chen Zheyuan is wearing selected pieces from Gucci." Ad for the Shenlan SL03 featured in Hidden Love.   Ad for Yuè Xiān Huó 悦鲜活  milk to the left, stating :   Youth "philosophy" has its own freshness!   Welcome Chén Zhéyuǎn to become the spokesperson of Yuè Xiān Huó brand, youth is about chasing light and chasing dreams, freshness is the essence of youth . Follow Yuè Xiān Huó Official Account , send "Chén Zhéyuǎn", and drink better fresh milk with the spokesperson, Yuè Xiān Huó~

Beijing Gramarie Culture Media Co., Lt d. (北京果然天空文化传媒有限公司)

2022 review of the work of  Chen Zhe Yuan:  Gramarie Weibo  2022 year-end summary video version !   CZY full year's hard work with three dramas and much more !  (click on title above for the video)

For Qi Xi 2023, Chén Zhéyuǎn had made this ad for ALLOVE jewellery  (posted on his Weibo, 2023-08-15 ; see the ad with sound in full here)  and watch the lineup and jewels shortvideo summary on FB. Also look at the footage of the ALLOVE high jewelry launch on 2023.08.22, Chinese Valentines Day Qi Xi, when CEO Mr Ling presented him with a precious purple color phoenix brooch for his future girlfriend, which CZY gracefully accepted before he got a blue brooch pinned to his jacket (among the news reposted from his Weibo and xiaohongshu, on this REEL from an FB  fan page )   My Gif made from stills and cuts from videos, showing before and after receiving the brooch in Shenzhen. He was still wearing it, when he met his fans (vocally wishing him their best for Qi Xi), after flying to Shanghai late in the night. He kindly took their letters and gracefully allowing a selfie of  him for a fan.   All this when his next day was already booked with a long promotion for Shiseido beauty care products.

Chén Zhéyuǎn is the cover of FIGARO Men August Issue magazine 2023   He is Madame Figaro Homme cover model, with pictures, reels, and in-depth interviews, for the August issue!  Look at the Photoshoot reel  (on FB)  and the "Day Breaker" one,  with this mention: The waves are turbulent under the blue sea, and in the long galaxy, my breath waxes and wanes with the stars.     (My Gifs from picture and YouTube repost of the interview -click on pictures to listen & view)

THE TEXT OF THE INTERVIEW is posted in appendix below, after the Double Seventh Qi Xi festival  and magpie bridge feature.

Contributing an ad for giving back to children in need :

[2023.09.05] Chen Zheyuan weibo update:    “A colorful childhood should not be a silent movie, and a child's world should not be silent. On China Charity Day, join me in awaken little ears to let them hear the future with love and share a beautiful childhood. In philanthropy festival, support @Listening Project to escort hearing-impaired children on their journey to find their voices, so that the bright voices of children will no longer be absent. “

 CONTINUED IN PART 4  BELOW  : Food, Humor and Seriousness 

Some June-August 2023 timeline for the updates of this column :

Note : First version was for:  https://mydramalist.com/discussions/hidden-love/109973-actor-profile-of-chen-zheyuan - back in June-July.  I  copied part of  what I started for Hidden Love drama and organized it differently, with added data, leaving a link to find the extended and updated version here.  Feel free to add more in comments, whenever something looks like it could get interesting or amusing to know !

On August 8,  I announced a first revision, proofreading, and the new Gifs and trivia added.

On August11,  new update with the link to CZY latest interview about The Princess and The Werewolf,  August 7, 023 (subtitled) in which he confirmed that he still likes his fans to call him Gēge.  --   The Cast, Characters and Crew  review is  finished so you can have a look at it clicking here .

End of August:  Updated the upcoming dramas section with the news that Wang Yuwen threw in the towel for The White Olive Tree, and is replaced by Liang Jie.  

The White Olive Tree drama announced  is from a novel which told a tragic story about a soldier, specializing in demolition, and a TV news reporter.  It is supposed to start filming in early September in Sichuan, for 150 days.  -- Someone posted this link to read the story. (English translation supposedly for a ~4h30 read)

End August, 2023: new updates about Allove jewellery and Shisheido brand ambassador duties performed by CZY, and the wrap of Dark Night and Dawn ; new Gifs and trivia.

September 2-5, 2023 : the latest hot news about the reshoot of the Golden Hairpin (with some more info) ; the August  2023 issue of Madame Figaro Hommes magazine, where CZY is on cover and main item of this new issue (+ link to featured interview).  New GIFs: actor's double personality as he explained about a Myers-Briggs test he tried (the interview where it was mentioned is linked) + another about his jewellery ambassador function in Shenzhen and his kindness to the fans who were waiting for him when he returned from Shenzhen to Shanghai for the last day of shooting Dark Night and Dawn.  the Madame Figaro interview that got uploaded but not yet English subtitled. 

September 13-16, 2023: Modeling news, Booting Ceremony for The White Olive Tree, GIFS and anecdote about meatballs and CP fandom; adding the text of the interview in Madame Figaro. 

Sept.5, 2023 :  Moved some sections of the Profile, so posts don't get too long for the site to handle.  Sources links now come here below (in case someone is interested by these):

Sources listing : iQiyi, Youku, YouTube, Wikipedia, CZY Weibo,  Sohu,  Baidu,  Facebook,  IMDB,  Min.news,  CpopHome,  MyDramaList, Dramawiki, Globalgranary,  gdatamart, showbizhut.com,   Avirtualvoyage.net [2018 Handsome Siblings] , South China Morning Post [Handsome Siblings], HerZindagi [description of Handsome Siblings and of Renascence],  thailand.postsen, The Movie Database [posters of 2021 Our Secret], Koalassplayground [The Princess and the Werewolf],  BJNews.com and dramapanda [Dark Night and Dawn lineup and presentation],   Malemodelscene.net, FB Precious Boy Chen Zhe Yuan CZT'sb Updates, https://www.tiktok.com/tag/chenzheyuan...   Pictures linked to their sources.   

Among the  fan pages, there are Chen Zhe Yuan-陈哲远 Myanmar Fans Group;  https://www.facebook.com/ChenZheYuanUpdates;  Vietnam fans instagram  ; https://www.facebook.com/groups/249320177116907/permalink/667578228624431 ;  Janghaven CZY pages  ;  https://twitter.com/chen_zheyuan ; https://twitter.com/hourlyczy  ; TikTok Rosesand violet ;  FB Yuanbao for CZY ; Twitter Focus on Chen Zheyuan ;

TEXT OF THE MADAME FIGARO INTERVIEW :

The text above could have benefited from informed editing... it looks nice but there are a few glaring oddities :

 The first sentence could be interpreted as though Chen Zheyuan has no skills and just uses his experience when it is the contrary. Starting from Duan Jiaxu, I'd say this is a results of learned skills together with talent rather than something he  brought from experience as a lover (he admits he did not have much there, apart from many kissing scenes before trying a new twist on it with Zhao Lusi.)  As for bringing optimism, his life indeed taught him how to cope in the face of adversity before,  but he always said his smiles and laughs are a front, and that deep inside, he is a "calm person" which is the key to how Chen Zheyuan got where he is. So, he brought his imagination as much as his experience and personal qualities to his characters, but they were also reflecting a skill for reading a story and interpreting it, which he acquired  through his schooling in Performance arts. 

And if  he had not been a perseverant person since he was a child, he would have changed to any other career than singer (when he is not naturally talented for it) and actor (when he was first miscast as idol in the boy band, so he was at first only viewed as a nice face to add to cast and a known "clown" that could add spice with goofs...) : it is precisely because he was perseverant, despite being shy for a while, like many youths, that he solicited advice from a senior actor he admired.

As he said in the talk he gave ("Youth is invincible")  Chen Zheyuan was so impressed by the advice he got, that he knew he had to try many angles and persevere until he got his characters in acting right...  But it is true that he does not rely on luck : he is dedicated to his art and states his commitment clearly.   I think perhaps the interpreter missed Chen Zheyuan's humility and took self-deprecatory sentences at face value because he/she had not done enough research or  gone beyond taking a look at the actor's social media page and be puzzled by the reference to Handsome Siblings which was and perhaps will stay for a while treasured in Chen Zheyuan's mind as the birth of his own career as actor....

(100 million 亿 unit) : Chén Zhé Yuǎn scored 4th among top Chinese stars in TikTok estimates for September 11 ratings  :  ~6.28 billion views in September; 3.6b in English, 1.8b in Yue language (Chinese), 0.8b in Thai lanaguage.  

Great work👍

I found all the three features  put together by you fascinating:

*Chen Zheyuan's profile

*CCC

*Wu Xuanyi's profile  

I will remain a frequent visitor in these discussion threads... And if you decide to add other details pertaining to the above three features in future, I would love to read that too. 

You have made quite a lot of effort and the presentation reflects your enthusiasm and  zeal for all three compilation...