<< After entering the industry at the age of 5, young actor Wu Lei has already amassed 19 years of acting experience. He said, “acting is ultimately about studying the people, understanding their stories so one can interpret the script in their hands better” >>.

CCTV News “China Up” Season 4

Wu Lei shares his growth story

“To be an actor who conquers the audience through solid acting skills is my dream”

Wu Lei started acting at the age of 5. By the time he was 10, he realized that in his life, acting is the passion that drives him. “As soon as I get into my role, I fully immerse myself in.”

Over the years, Wu Lei has participated in many movies and dramas. In “My Country, my Parents”, Wu Lei plays a soldier of Jizhong Cavalry Regiment, Cheng Feng. Cheng Feng joined the army with his father at a very young age, and to better interpret his character, Wu Lei shaved his hair, tanned his skin under the scorching sun, practiced horse riding, shooting and other skills everyday.

During the filming process, Wu Lei blamed himself for performing poorly and for not being in his most ideal condition, but the set doesn’t wait for anyone, he needs to quickly adjust himself. “To be an actor who conquers the audience through solid acting skills has always been my dream. Although there is still a long way towards my goal, I am willing to elongate the rhythm, gradually accumulating and sedimenting.”

“From the older generation of performers, we find the responsibilities that we should take on”

In 2022. Wu Lei participated in the recording of a large-scale cultural program on the main channel, “Departing from Yan An”. During the program, the hundred year old singer Meng Yu narrated the original intention and background story behind the classical literary works, but when she remembered the past ones, the old lady couldn’t help but hum the patriotic song to resist Japan “Yellow River Cantata”.

When singing “Send a signal to the working people of the world to fight”, The old lady was so emotional that her eyes glistened with tears as if she was returning to her youthful days of battle. Wu Lei said that particular scene touched him deeply.

“Use spirit to convey spirit, use faith to convey faith”. Wu Lei said he felt that only by maintaining the passion, the love and the integrity of his profession, can he genuinely create powerful and heartwarming works that stand the test of time.

“Only when you understand the people’s stories, can you really interpret the script in your hands.”

In addition to acting. Wu Lei usually also likes cycling. To him, an actor spends the whole year wandering around on set and under the set spotlights, it makes it easy to lose your delicate senses about real life. Cycling opens a “window” for him.

These beautiful encounters allow Wu Lei to feel the strong human warmth outside the camera. There was a big brother who handed him a kettle of hot water when he camped in the wilderness, someone who took him to the hair salon, this cute young boy wanted to shave his beard. There were also those who saw him tour the lake and this cycling friend who warmly came forward to chat with him.

“Only by interacting, talking to myself, understanding people’s stories can I really interpret the script in my hands.” In the future, Wu Lei wants to continue walking on the vastness to meet all sorts of vivid and touching stories and record gleaming and wonderful clips. If there’s a chance, Wu Lei also wants to play the role of a road cyclist. Facing the sunrise and stepping on the sunset, overcoming the uphills despite the turbulences are what Wu Lei aspires to fulfill as an actor. “Not afraid of challenges, always going forward, carrying blazing dreams and rushing towards the mountains and seas.”

Original article on We Chat. English translation credit to @eowuli.