A Chinese drama that is said to be a treasure trove of cool things. Various characters such as emperors, hermits, masters, fathers, villains, and bosses appear, adding depth to the story.
In the movie Natalie, we will develop a total of four columns focusing on the Ikeoji that colors the Chinese drama. In this second installment, we asked writers Kumiko Aoki, Mayuko Kozake, and Tae Kumasaka to talk about actors in their 50s that they are interested in.
Sourcebook・Text / Kyoko Kaneko
Liu Yijun snatches everything with eroticism that young people can’t compete
──In the first installment, you mentioned actors over the age of 60 that you are interested in, but in the second installment, I would like to ask about actors in their 50s that you are interested in. the first oneLiu Yijun(Liu Yijun).
Xieyu (left), played by Liu Yijun, from the Chinese drama “Royabou ~The Talented Kirin, Brings Up Wind~”. (c)2015 China International TV Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Provided by: Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures / Asia Republic 9th Anniversary
Liu Yijun
Born June 12, 1970, currently 53 years old. Graduated from Beijing Film Academy. Appeared in the drama “Rouyabo ~Kirin’s Talented Girl, Fuuun Wake~”, “Drunken Flower ~ Eternal Love ~”, “Fu Yao ~Legendary Empress~”, “Sword Dynasty ~ Snow Dancing in Turbulent Times”. ~” “Enundai -The Legend of Empress-” “Opening (original title)” “Hyouka ~BEING A HERO~”.
──In this project, Liu Yijun was the only cool actor that all three of us were interested in.
Tae Kumasaka It’s like a synonym for cool (laughs). Existence is too strong.
Kumiko Aoki It definitely stands out when it comes out.
Mayuko Kosake What I like about Liu Yijun is, in a nutshell, her erotic side (laughs).
Aoki Me too! (Laughs) It’s like I can feel my father’s eros.
Kozake Yes! Liu Yi-Jun is going to take away all of them with the eroticism that young handsome guys can’t compete with (laughs). In “Drunken Flower ~ Eternal Love ~”, there are many beautiful princes played by young casts such as William Chan (Chen Weichu), Shu Haichao (Xu Haiqiao), and Gong Jun (Gongjun). The episode is drawn, but the emperor played by Liu Yijun took it all at the end. Out of all the male characters, who caught your heart the most after watching it? Come to think of it, even though he was a villain, he was an honest emperor when it came to love.
Aoki Basically, it’s all about villainy, but the episodes of love that come in between make you cry. Ikeoji cries over unrequited love (laughs). “Rouyabou ~Kirin’s Talented Child, Fuuun Wake~” was the most shocking. He’s a villain, but he’s obsessed with his wife, and he doesn’t understand love. In “Sword Dynasty ~ Snow Dancing in a Turbulent World ~”, even though he plays a bad role, his love for his wife is pure, but he is not blessed with love. That purity touched my heart (laughs).
Sake Oh yeah! Liu Yijun puts out the passion of love that the young cast can’t imitate, and I’m really excited (laughs). In “Sword Dynasty”, the main characters played by Lee Xian (Li Xian) and Lee Eaton (Li Yitong) are very pure, and since there aren’t many love scenes, Liu Yijun, who plays the king, takes over. The hand reaching out to the Queen was so glamorous, I was already surprised. Liu Yijun in this drama is in charge of erotic love, so you can’t miss it (laughs). He often appears in contemporary dramas, but I prefer Liu Yijun in period dramas. I want a wig and a mustache (laughs). It’s a role of a good age, but if there is an element of romance with a woman, do the producers also think about asking Liu Yijun?
Kumasaka: Because it has a love elementWang JinsungIt’s like trying to offer Liu Yijun instead of (Wang Jingsong).
Sake Oh yeah! I wouldn’t ask Wang Jinsung to be in charge of erotic love (laughs)!
Xie Yu, played by Liu Yijun, from the Chinese drama “Royabou ~The Talented Kirin, Brings Up Wind~”. (c)2015 China International TV Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Provided by: Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures / Asia Republic 9th Anniversary
The image of Wang Jinsung quietly exploding in his mind
──Kumasaka-san and Aoki-san mentioned Wang Jinsung, who just came up.
Wang Jin-sung plays Wang Jin-sung from the Chinese drama “Royabou ~The Talented Kirin, Brings Up Wind~”. (c)2015 China International TV Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Provided by: Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures / Asia Republic 9th Anniversary
Wang Jinsung
Born November 15, 1967, currently 55 years old. Graduated from Jiangsu drama school. Appeared in the drama “Rouyabo ~Kilin’s Talented Girl, Bringing Up Wind~”, “Three Kingdoms ~Sima Yi Tactician League~”, “Fu Yao ~Legendary Empress~”, “Breaking Ice ~Drag Wars~” ”, “Eirakutei ~Daimei Tenka no Kagayaki~”, “Hyouuka ~BEING A HERO~”.
Kumasaka: My image of Liu Yijun and Wang Jinsung as pronouns of coolness.
Kozake: Wang Jin-sung is a cool guy who has a high encounter rate.
Kumasaka: You’re an actor whose name is often mentioned by writers. In “Breaking Ice ~Drag Wars~” he plays a role like an evil boss, and that’s amazing. You also appeared in “Ronkankyo”, didn’t you?
Aoki Yes. “Ronkankyo” is a drama that is an introduction to Ikeoji. In that work, Wang Jin-sung plays a person who has a complicated inner feeling, and I thought it was wonderful that it was conveyed even though it was a quiet expression. In his case, I feel withered beauty. That’s why I didn’t think he was 55 (laughs).
Kumasaka: I also thought he was in his 60s.
Aoki: Wang Jin-sung is an intelligent person, and in contrast to Liu Yi-jun’s emotional explosion, he has the image of quietly exploding in his heart.
Kozake: That’s why playing a villain is quietly scary.
Kumasaka: You played a difficult role in “Hyouka ~Being a Hero~” too. The head of the public security bureau is too busy to go home, so his daughter rebelled against me and told me, “Just give me the money!” (laughs). While giving off such a poor feeling, is it possible that this person is secretive? Are you a bad person? A gray zone role.
Kosake: He is an actor who is often said to be good at speaking. He is good at both historical dramas and modern dramas. Personally, Wang Jinsung and Liu Yijun are cool guys who want a beard (laughs).
No matter what role I play, if it’s Fu Jun, it makes me want to watch it
──The next person to talk about is Mr. Aoki.Fu Jun(Hu Jun).
Fu Jun (Photo courtesy of Niinami)
Hu Jun (Hu Jun)
Born March 18, 1968, currently 55 years old. Graduated from Central Theater Academy. Appeared in the dramas “Tenryu Hachibu”, “Kubilai Han”, “Yukichu Katsuyuki (original title)”, movies “Togu Nishinomiya”, “Aiu / Passionate Arashi”, “Red Cliff” series, “Kung Fu Cyborg” Sun Yat-sen’s Brotherhood”.
Aoki: I met him in the legendary BL movie “Aiu/Jonetsu no Arashi”. There were a lot of people around me who were obsessed with it, and they were shouting loudly, “Please watch it!”.
Kumasaka: I also met Fu Jun at “Lian Yu”. It was a hot topic.
Aoki When I went to Hong Kong at the time, Hu Jun and Liu Ye (Liu Yi) were very popular. In “Lan Yu”, Hu Jun played a rich man with a gold chain around his neck and making him whine. He falls in love with a student played by Liu Ye. It was a very impressive work, and from there I started paying attention to him. He is also strong in the action genre, has appeared in works such as “Golden Chicken (original title)” and “Kung Fu Cyborg”, and is also good at comedy. I think the range is what makes it so appealing.
Kumasaka: In “Sun Yat-sen no Gishidan”, you played the role of the strongest assassin, playing a very strong character. He played a very strong role in “The Assassin” which was released in Japan last year.
Aoki I don’t really have the image of a villain, but I do play villains too.
Kozake: I have the image of a full-fledged actor who is internationally known as a movie actor. He was also impressed by the movie “Togu Nishinomiya”. I’ve also appeared in dramas, but since there are a lot of military commander roles in historical dramas, what would happen if I played the role of a hermit in a fantasy period drama? (Laughs) Looking at the filmography, there are quite a few dramas that haven’t entered Japan.
Aoki No matter what role he plays, he’s an actor who makes me want to see him as Fu Jun.
Yu Howei as Liu Bei, Cao Cao and Shi Huang
──Next, Mr. Kumasaka.You How Way(Yu Hewei) was mentioned.
Cao Cao played by Yu Ho Wei from the Chinese drama “Sangokushi ~ Sima Yi Tactician Federation ~”. (c) CHINA INT’L TV CORPORATION
Yu Ho Wei
Born May 4, 1971, currently 52 years old. Graduated from Shanghai Drama Academy. Appeared in the dramas “Sangokushi-Sima Yi Tactician Federation-“, “Xian Yu and Liu Bang King’s War”, “Sangokushi Three Kingdoms”, “Shangyang Fu-Queen of Destiny”, “Three Bodies (original title)”, and the movie “Spy on the Cliff” Godslayer Godslaying Sword”.
Kumasaka: I like dead actors, so I couldn’t think of a cool guy in his 50s, but the first person that came to mind was Yu Ho Way. I think that ‘Sangokushi’ is a cool drama, but Liu Bei in ‘Sangokushi Three Kingdoms’, Cao Cao in ‘Sangokushi ~ Sima Yi Tactician Federation ~’, and furthermore, ‘Xuan Yu and Liu Bang King’s War’ is the first emperor. Isn’t it great to have Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Shi Huang?
Aoki It sure is amazing.
Kumasaka: He has the image of being a seasoned actor who appears in many good works. I thought he was in his 60s because of his dignity, but he turned out to be 52.
Kozake: You played the role of Zhang Ziyi’s father in Shang Yangfu: The Queen of Destiny.
Kumasaka: You’re a talented actor, aren’t you? When he was Liu Bei, he was not scary, but he had charisma.
Kozake Watching the drama “Three bodies” is good for Yu Ho Wei! I tought. In my impression, it is relatively close to the image of the novel. I have become a detective with a deep affection.
Aoki As far as reading the novel, I didn’t have an image of Yu Ho Way, but I’m addicted to that kind of role.
Small sake I was addicted to it. I was surprised because it was the image of Cao Cao from “Romance of the Three Kingdoms ~Sima Yi Tactician Federation~”. “Three bodies” are also in a position to protect the main character, a scientist, but I can’t forget the passion of Yu Howei (laughs).
Information about Yu Howay’s appearances
Chinese drama “Romance of the Three Kingdoms ~ Sima Yi Alliance ~” scene photo (c)CHINA INT’L TV CORPORATION
“Romance of the Three Kingdoms ~ Sima Yi Alliance ~”
Streaming on Hulu
In Joo-sun is an actor who gives off something just by being on the screen.
──The next thing to talk about is Mr. Kozake.in jusionIt’s (Yoon Chu Sung).
From the Chinese drama “Fuki Rousei -SPY of Three Kingdoms-“, Li Yan played by Yin Ju-chun. (c)2022 New Classics Television Entertainment Investment Co. Ltd.
In Joo-sung
Born October 2, 1965, currently 57 years old. Graduated from Shanghai Drama Academy. Appeared in dramas such as “Flying Phoenix”, “Changan Twenty-Four Hours”, “Fuki Rousei -SPY of Three Kingdoms-“, “Eiko Heroes ~HEROES~”, “Mukaroku”, etc. There is
Kozake: I think that In Jusion is the type of idiot who watches a lot of movies in which the viewers don’t realize it. He is an actor who has won various awards as a stage actor, and he was very handsome when he was young. In “Fuki Rousei – SPY of Three Kingdoms -” set in the Three Kingdoms period, I play Zhuge Liang’s political enemy Li Yan, but the power is different. It has also appeared in “Kangko Heroes ~HEROES~”, “Mukaroku”, and “Changan Twenty-Four Hours”, and the presence it creates is different.
Kumasaka: I have an image of an actor with a strong eye.
Kozake: Ikeoji plays the role of a father, and he doesn’t appear often, so he tends to get sidetracked. But “Kazeki Ronsai” is a cool paradise drama, and In Jusion has a lot of turns! Zhuge Liang’s rival and villain, but not just a villain. I felt the depth in the character design. In Joo Sung is an actor who has something to say just by being on the screen without saying any lines. He might not be the gentle and withered type, but rather a glaring and pushy Ikeoji.
──You had a strong presence in “Ego Eikoden ~HEROES~”, didn’t you?
Kozake That’s right. If I were a producer, it might be an actor who wants to make an impact, so I would like to offer him to In Jusion.
Information on In Jusion’s appearances
Chinese drama “Fuki Rousei -SPY of Three Kingdoms-” DVD-BOX1 jacket (c)2022 New Classics Television Entertainment Investment Co.Ltd
“Fuki Rousei -SPY of Three Kingdoms-“
Blu-ray BOX 1-2 on sale 16,500 yen each including tax
DVD-BOX 1-2 on sale 13,200 yen each including tax
Release / Distributor: SPO
Provided by: SPO/TV Tokyo Media Net
▶︎Continues with Chinese drama Ikeoji Free Talk 3rd
Kumiko Aoki
Flower watcher. Asian entertainer. “Korean Pia”, “Must-See Chinese Historical Drama” (Pia), “Korean TV Drama Collection”, “Chinese History Learned from Chinese Historical Drama” (Kinema Junposha), and other information magazines in Korea, China, and Taiwan Introducing the charm of Asian entertainment.
Mayuko Kosaka
After working for a company in the movie and publishing worlds, he became a freelance writer. She writes about dramas from Asia to the West. She is serializing in “Korea TV Drama Guide” (Futabasha) “Enthusiastic recommendation!! Chinese dramas are so addicting!” and “Ajidora prescription” in Cinema @ rt.
Tae Kumasaka
Edited “Chinese History Learned from Chinese Historical Dramas” and “Latest Chinese Historical Drama Guide” (Kinema Junposha). After editing a movie magazine, she participated in editing and writing a mook book that introduces Asian entertainment such as China, Taiwan, and South Korea. “Latest! Featured Stars & Chinese Historical Drama Guide 2023” is on sale from June 27th.
Images in this article (9 total)
