“Wow, the big river flows eastward,
The stars in the sky are like the big Dipper
If you say go, let’s go
You have me, I have everything”
The theme song of the Chinese TV series titled ’The Water margin’ undoubtedly still stays in your hearts. ‘The Water Margin’ is a Chinese TV series adapted from Shi Naian’s novel in 1998.
This TV series was produced by CCTV (Chinese Central Television) and directed by Zhang Shao Lin,Lu Tao, Pan Yinlai, Kang Honglei, Guo Daqun, Xing Zhaojun, Li Li, Guo Jin and Luo Shunming. The main role of Song Jiang was played by a Chinese actor called Li Xue Jian.
Born on July 7, 1954 in Shandon, he followed the China National Experimental Theatre Workshop.
He had played many roles in films and TV series such as ‘Tianshan Mountain Trek’, ‘The Steal - File General’, ‘Street Players’, ‘Super Sleuth’, ‘Unforgettable life’, ‘Jiao Yulu’, ‘Jianke Chunqiu’ and so on. Significantly, Li Xue Jian had even won the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
Fight with a real Tiger
You might remember Wu Song in the teleplay The Water Margin.
The role of Wu Song was played by Ding Hai Feng who is one of the most popular Chinese actors.
The director of the teleplay Zhang Shao Lin had to interview many actors to select the most ideal actor to play the role of Wu Song.
Wu Song has been brought out as a well - built warrior who stands against injustice. On the other hand, he is very cruel but humanity depicts through his cruelty.
When the director invited him to play the role, Ding Hai Feng did not have confidence in playing the given role.
He had refused to take up the challenge, saying that he does not have experience.
However, in the end, Zhang Shao Lin persuaded Ding Hai Feng to play the role.
Speaking of the fight with a real Tiger, it would be correct to say that Ding Hai Feng had done the justice to the character Wu Song, risking even his life.
The director wanted to shoot the fight sequences naturally.
He had borrowed three Tigers and persuaded Ding Hai Feng to fight with one of them. Regrettably, having been wounded by the tiger, Ding Hai Feng could not stop bleeding.
But he wanted to take the scene again with his injuries in order to portray the role naturally.
Indeed, thanks to the sacrifices made by actors and actresses, ‘The Water Margin’ is regarded as one of the greatest teleplays in China. Speaking of Ding, he was born on Sept 25, 1969. Being a budding actor in his childhood, he displayed a great enthusiasm in the field of films.
Veteran film directors gave him opportunities to act in films. We can witness Ding Hai Feng ‘ s performances in films and tele-dramas such as ‘Thunder Chaser’ (2021), ‘Yi Bu Qian Nian’ (2021),’Yi Dai Gong Shang’ (2020), ‘The Village Chief’ (2021), ’People’s Justice’ (2020), ’Warm Village’ (2019), ‘Growling Tiger’, ‘Roaring Dragon’ (2017), ‘The Advisors Alliance’ (2017), ‘The Name of the People’ (2017), ‘Donglai Police Beauty and K9’ (2016), ‘Eastern Battlefield’ (2016), and ‘Huo Xian Jie Mei’ (2014).
As noted by Chinese film critics, What has made him stand out in the field of film is his brave personality.
Indeed, The water Margin which revolves around a battle against the corrupt government can be considered to be a legendary TV series.
