Recently, there have been reports that mainland Chinese actor Hu Ge, after a hiatus of 9 years since “Nirvana in Fire”, will make a comeback to the costume drama genre by starring as the male lead in the comic adaptation drama “Biao Ren”. While the news has stirred up a lot of excitement, some netizens believe that in terms of the actor’s image and suitability for the role, Hu Ge’s physique is too slim and delicate, making him more suitable for roles like a scholar or an official rather than a “biao ke” (a skilled escort). Therefore, there is more optimism towards Zhang Zhen, who showcased brilliant martial arts performances in “The Assassin” and is seen as a better fit for the role of “biao ke”.
“Biao Ren” tells the story of Dage San Nian (year 607 AD), a time when under the brutal rule of Yang Guang, the Sui Dynasty was in turmoil. The skilled escort “Biao Ma” travels through the vast deserts of the Western Regions, taking on a mission to escort to the capital city, Chang’an, while evading pursuit by the court. What was initially thought to be a simple escort mission turns into a journey fraught with dangers and full of unexpected twists, uncovering a conspiracy that affects the whole nation.
After starring in the TV drama “Blossoms” directed by Wong Kar-wai last year, Hu Ge’s popularity has once again soared. Since the broadcast of “Nirvana in Fire” in 2015, he has not filmed a historical drama for 9 years. The recent news that he will portray the skilled escort “Biao Ma” in the comic adaptation drama “Biao Ren” has also brought up Taiwan’s Golden Horse Award winner Zhang Zhen as a potential choice. Many netizens believe that Hu Ge’s slim and bookish image, deeply ingrained in the audience’s mind, makes Zhang Zhen a better fit for roles requiring strong martial arts skills.
According to reports from mainland media, from “Chinese Paladin” to “Nirvana in Fire”, and most recently the modern drama “Blossoms”, Hu Ge has showcased remarkable acting skills. Although 9 years ago, his portrayal of the character “Mei Changsu” in the historical drama “Nirvana in Fire” was praised for his exquisite performance, and he was even hailed as “Only Hu Ge can be Changsu”. His refined scholar image seems to have become a trademark of his in historical dramas. However, reports suggest that Hu Ge initially did not want to act in “Nirvana in Fire” and it was due to fans’ repeated pleas, including visiting the set in the rain and bringing the original novel to beg him to read it, that eventually convinced Hu Ge to take on the role. Eventually, he won the Shanghai Magnolia Award for Best Actor in that drama.
Now, the drama “Biao Ren”, adapted from the original comic, seems to be generating buzz even before its release, due to rumors that Hu Ge is likely to play the male lead role of “Biao Ma”. The progress of the show’s production has gained significant attention, with many netizens believing that if Hu Ge takes on “Biao Ren”, it will be a major breakthrough for him in expanding his acting repertoire.
Apart from Hu Ge, Taiwanese artist Zhang Zhen has also been nominated by many netizens. With both good looks and acting skills, Zhang Zhen is a familiar face in wuxia films, having delivered many thrilling fight scenes in the “The Assassin” series. His tough and gritty demeanor seems to align well with the character of “Biao Ma” in “Biao Ren”. Many netizens feel that Zhang Zhen’s impressive martial arts performances in the movie “The Assassin” make him a better fit for portraying the skilled escort, with his image matching well with the character of “Biao Ma” in the drama.