Patriotic Youth – Han Geng – From 110701

Han Geng heavily values his nationality as Chinese. When we discussed young actors participate in (Chinese) patriotic films, he would tell you it is his duty to possess this attitude to your motherland. Speaking of his separation from Super Junior and his return to Mainland China to start a solo career, he did not forget to emphasize that he is Chinese. Han Geng who is very proud of his race surely is an appropriate candidate to take part in the (Chinese) patriotic film, Beginning of the Great Revival.

The Deng Xiaoping who is 180CM Tall

Like many big shot stars, Han Geng also appears for a split second in Beginning of the Great Revival and plays Deng Xiaoping sitting down. “I didn’t know what character I was playing during filming. I thought I was playing Zhao Shiyan. But later they told me I was playing Deng Xiaoping!” Actually when making this type of patriotic films, a group of Mainland Chinese actors is always chosen to play these characters due to their resemblance to the actual persons. However, Beginning of the Great Revival broke with convention by choosing Han Geng and other relatively young actors such as Liu Ye, Aloys Chen Kun, Daniel Wu and Angelababy Yeung Wing to take part in the film.

People criticize that the 6-foot tall Han Geng bears no resemblance to Deng Xiaoping. But Han Geng feels his duty is more important than how convincing the makeup and custom design are to the audience. “The purpose of this film is to watch its historical scope. Everyone’s position is not the same and so they watch the film in their own perspective. Actually many young actors like us taking part in the film are hoping to show everyone the story, the history. If people only look at the appearance aspect, it is shallow. Many young people are learning history, but some people do not understand the history during that particular period of time. Some of the young actors are very competent and influential. The purpose of us gathered together is hoping to attract more young viewers to watch the film.”

Dream to Become an Actor Comes True
Presented himself as a part of Super Junior in the past, Han Geng came back as a solo singer since the termination of contract with his Korean management company. But starting this year, he has been presenting himself as an actor in promotions. Other than Beginning of the Great Revival, there are also My Kingdom and Founding of Father Sun Yat-Sen to be screening on theaters this year. “It was not financially viable for my family to support the high cost of tuition to acting school. It just happened that I was offered the opportunity to Korea and became a singer. While studying dancing, I also took part in some stage performances in which life is transferred to body movements and acting is integrated in the performances. The more I performed dances, the more I was into acting. So now that I have this opportunity, I hope to realize my dream.” In order to do well, Han Geng looked for acting instructors to teach him acting and the technical know-how. After all, Han Geng, initially as a dancer, could do better in action scenes than non-action scenes. He said, “Knowing dancing helps me a lot in action scenes; no matter if it is flexibility, speed or response. I can learn quickly because dancing also has its powerful side and gentle side. But he can play the character’s feelings in non-action scenes. People can see the different sides of me. But I am still a rookie and need time to fully comprehend (acting).”
Has Not Given Up the Korean Market

His remarkable achievements in Korea were mentioned during the interview. It helps his solo career to some extent. But he emphasized that he is Chinese after all and hopes to establish himself in Mainland China before going to Korea again. “I am an actor and a singer in China. To be able to embrace my motherland is surely happiness. If I do well on what I should be doing at the present time, (the people in) Korea will naturally respond to it. They also listen to my songs and watch my movies. I have not given up. Of course, the time spent in Korea was the most significant period and it meant so much to me. So I am so grateful for all that they had done. But the past is past. I need to do well now and in the future. I am thankful and grateful (for the time in Korea), but don’t need to look back.” Perhaps it was the days living under someone else’s roof in the past that made Han Geng treasure the present even more and better realize the importance of being Chinese.