He Jiong performs in the drama "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land" (Li Yan)
He Jiong is well known among Chinese TV fans for hosting the variety show program "Happy Camp", which has been running for 18 years on the Hunan Satellite TV.
The effervescent He, a former Arabic language instructor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, is a man of many talents. In addition to his award-winning television career, he's recorded three albums and published four books. He also directed the film "Forever Young," which was released last year.
At present, He is busy preparing for an acting role in an upcoming drama production of "Writing in Water," which is scheduled to hit Shanghai's Theatre Above in May. The show is directed by the Taiwanese playwright and theater founder Stan Lai, whose Performance Workshop first staged one of the most popular modern Chinese-language plays "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land" 30 years ago.
"Writing in Water" is inspired by French writer and Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard's book "Happiness." The drama centers on a man who teaches happiness, but is not happy in his real life. A version of the show was performed in Hong Kong in 2009, but Lai says the upcoming show in Shanghai will feature a brand new story.
"The story really attracted me, and I decided to play in the show immediately after I received the invitation from Lai," He says.
Famed for his upbeat, positive image on TV, He knows a thing or two about inner contentment.
"Happiness can be learned, maybe through reading a book, meeting somebody, or watching a play; but in the end, you need to rely on yourself. You're not as unhappy as you think most of times; it's all up to you," the host explains.
This is the second time He and Lai have worked together — the first being on a production of "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land" 10 years ago. At that time, He was already a household name thanks to his work on "Happy Camp."
"Many people had doubt over my participation in the play 10 years ago, when Lai invited me to play the role of Master Yuan. This is an important role in the show, though this was not my first time performing in a drama," He recalls.
The television star also admitted that he faced a great deal of pressure in the show as he worked to overcome his image as a variety-show host.
"I tried my best to not make fans of Lai disappointed," he says. "I don't want to let them down with Lai's decision to invite me... to act in such a classic work."
That production went on to tour across China, where it was performed over 300 times in 22 provinces.
Fast forward a decade, and the play has just celebrated its 30th anniversary with a recent staging at Theatre Above.
He started his career as a TV host when he was still a university student. Over the course of his nearly two decades in front of the camera, he's come into contact with celebrities, including some of China's most famous singers, actors and directors. His goal is to encourage everyone to be relaxed and enjoy the process of being on his program. He's "Happy Camp" TV program is all about playing games and having fun.
The television star adopted this same approach when he stepped behind the lens to direct his first film "Forever Young," which is inspired by the popular Chinese folk song "Gardenia in Blossom." He also performed the song back in 2004.
"Most people see the director as a 100-percent dominating in film shooting, but I think in a different way," he says. "In my film, I was just happy to provide opportunities for some of my actor friends, and also to fulfill the expectations of fans of my song "Gardenia in Blossom."
"Real happiness will never come from selfishness — I feel best when I think about others more than myself," he says.
'Writing in Water'
Date: May 19-23, 7:30pm
Venue: Theatre Above (5/F, 1111 Zhaojiabang Rd)
Tickets: 150-680 yuan
Www.theatreabove.com
