How being shafted made Wang a success

In 1992, 8-year-old Wang Baoqiang left his hometown village in North China's Hebei Province for Shaolin Temple, the monastery known for its martial arts tradition. After learning kungfu for six years in the temple, the boy set out again for Beijing. As one of the millions pursuing their dreams to be stars in Beijing, Wang started from sitting outside Beijing Film Studio, waiting for any chance to join a crew, doing part-time as a construction worker.

His first important role was that of a coal miner in director Li Yang's Blind Shaft (Mang Jing). He had to descend hundreds of meters down the mine-shaft in a role many other actors would not dare to do.

But who dares wins. The independent small-budget film won him a Best New Performer Award in Taiwan's Golden Horse Film Awards in 2003. More importantly, famous director Feng Xiaogang cast him in his hit A World without Thieves (Tianxia Wuzei) after seeing his performance.

The role was of a naive village boy and Wang quickly rose to fame. He was recognized on the street and was called by the character's name Sha Gen. But what really pushed him to the top was his role in a TV drama called Soldiers Sortie (Shibing Tuji) in 2006. Wang's character Xu Sanduo is a young soldier who is not intelligent but very devoted to whatever he does. With his own efforts and some companions' help, the simple man wins respect and confidence.

The drama was a quick hit on China's small screens. Almost every main actor now has his own group of fans. Wang as the leading actor has hit headlines of almost all major newspapers, and his signature smile is seen on one magazine's cover after another. He is also planning to release his first song.

Recalling the days waiting for a role outside the film studio, Wang says he wants to tell those still holding on: "This is what I have been through."

China Daily

(China Daily 12/25/2007 page20)