Master Gao Ming has taught Cang Hai the art of maneuvering since he was a child, and has always been by his side, helping Cang Hai to seek revenge, helping him to collect information and intelligence, acting as a bodyguard, providing psychological counseling, and taking care of Cang Hai's daily life - Master Gao Ming is an all-rounder. In the words of Liang Chao, who plays Gao Ming, the relationship between Gao Ming and Cang Hai is "both a teacher and a friend, and both a father and a son."
The ancient costume legendary drama "The Legend of the Canghai" directed by Zheng Xiaolong and Cao Yiwen, written by Zhao Liuyi, and starring Xiao Zhan, Zhang Jingyi, Zhou Qi and Huang Jue is currently on the air.
The play tells the story of the son of the director of the Imperial Observatory of Dayong State, who witnessed the destruction of his entire family, and returned to the capital ten years later under the pseudonym "Cang Hai" (played by Xiao Zhan). Relying on the construction skills and tactics he has learned over the years, he fights against villains, uncovers conspiracies, and joins hands with his beloved friends to defend the country.
Liang Chao as Gao Ming
Talking about the collaboration with Xiao Zhan, Liang Chao admitted that "it was a very wonderful experience." He believed that as a young actor, Xiao Zhan "already possessed all the qualities of an artist" and was even "perfect."
What skills does the man behind Zang Hai have to master? As both a father and a mother, what moments of hesitation did he have on the road to helping Zang Hai get revenge? Thepaper.cn interviewed Liang Chao and talked with him about the things that happened on the set of "The Legend of Zang Hai".
Liang Chao
【dialogue】
Master Gao Ming's special move
The Paper : In “The Legend of Zang Hai”, what is the most attractive thing about the character of Gao Ming, Zang Hai’s master?
Liang Chao : I think the character of Master Gao Ming is multifaceted and complex. He can be shrewd and calculating at times, but also light-hearted and humorous at times. In addition, this character's apprentice is Xiao Zhan, right? Hahahaha.
The Paper : Some netizens described the Master’s performance as being on “The King of Variety Show”. What do you think are the three most critical skills required for this role?
Liang Chao : He needs to have a strong heart, secondly he needs to judge the situation, and finally he needs to be patient. He wants to be Zang Hai's master, and he must master these three nirvana skills. I think this runs through the entire revenge process, including disguise and dressing up, which are very dangerous. He deceives anyone, if he is not strong in his heart or slightly shaken, then this thing may not be completed. Judging the situation often allows Zang Hai to bend and stretch, which is also reflected in the plot. Another is revenge, telling him that revenge cannot be rushed, sometimes it is better to be patient, let him be a good official, and learn to be a bad official, and help him to lay out the whole plan. The master needs to have skills in this area.
A master in disguise
The Paper : What is the main role of the master in Zang Hai's revenge? Is the relationship between the two of them a kind of teacher-student and friend?
Liang Chao : The master played a very important role in Zang Hai's revenge. First, he raised Zang Hai to adulthood, and then taught him the art of strategy and technology. During the revenge process, he collected information for Zang Hai, provided psychological counseling, and sometimes took care of his life, which was very important. We must be both teachers and friends, both fathers and sons.
The Paper : Some comments said that he is both a father and a mother.
Liang Chao : In addition to the main storyline of revenge, when he was a housekeeper, he got up to fold quilts, cooked porridge, and cared about what Zanghai wanted to eat. These are also things that parents need to do.
The Paper : Among Gao Ming’s lines, which one is your favorite?
Liang Chao : I just caught up with it these past two days. The most important sentence is "You are still young, and your life has just begun. Everything depends on your heart, but you can't hesitate." I like it very much. This is Gao Ming's first change in his revenge for Cang Hai. First, it emphasizes that he has a mission. Second, he can't hesitate and let you make a choice. I think the glorious side of Gao Ming's humanity is also shown in this sentence.
Screenshot of "Legend of the Hidden Sea"
The reason I like this line is that I think it is a change in Gao Ming's character. This is the only time in the whole play that he calls Cang Hai by his real name, Zhi Nu. When they met before, he called him "Xiao Hai" instead of "Zhi Nu". At this moment, he made a huge mistake in the play. There is only Cang Hai in this world, but no Zhi Nu. Why would he call him Zhi Nu? This is also the director's good intention, thinking about the two people tearing off their disguises at this moment. At that moment, you are Zhi Nu and I am Gao Ming.
"You're home, slave."
He showed Gao Ming's inner struggle at this time. I took you to your old house and told you not to forget what you wanted to do, you wanted revenge. Why did I say to expose the scars and let you face everything you least wanted to face? You are still young, everything about you is under your control, but you can't hesitate. At this time, Gao Ming's goal was to let Zang Hai choose revenge or give up revenge. This was also the first time Gao Ming wavered. Is it right for me to assist you, Zang Hai, in revenge? This is a metaphor, not directly expressed. I think this moment is very brilliant.
Xiao Zhan makes me more serious
The Paper : Tell us about your experience working with Xiao Zhan.
Liang Chao : It was a wonderful experience to work with Xiao Zhan. As a young actor, he already possesses all the qualities of an artist. I didn't use the word perfect, but he is perfect.
First of all, as a top star, I think there is nothing wrong with his image. More importantly, he is very rigorous and meticulous in his work. He makes me feel that I must be more serious. In the play, he has a lot of lines, and many of them cannot be wrong in a single word, such as lines with professional terms such as geomancy, and how to read and how to break the sentences must be considered, because people are rarely exposed to such content nowadays.
When we were acting together, it was rare to see someone prompting him. He always held the script in his left hand and a pen in his right hand, constantly revising it. The director would often modify or delete the lines on the spot. What actors fear most is that I have memorized the lines, but they have to modify them on the spot. It is very frustrating, but Xiao Zhan has never complained.
Secondly, he is willing to listen to valuable suggestions from anyone, which is very rare.
Master Gao Ming, Cang Hai
The Paper : Were there any impromptu sparks during the filming?
Liang Chao : Yes. Since Zang Hai is with his master, the director wanted a more relaxed atmosphere. He couldn't start from the beginning and end with revenge, intrigue, and suspicion. This would make people feel depressed. I think the character of Gao Ming is the finishing touch of this play, just like MSG to enhance the flavor. When Zang Hai and Gao Ming are together, the director meant that in addition to completing the drama task, there should be a relaxing or funny way to make everyone less tired.
In our play, the director gave us a lot of room to play, and let us play freely under the premise of being in line with the character's personality and not affecting the development of the plot, such as "Let's break up, let's break up this family", and the master and apprentice intervened at the same time and crossed their legs at the same time, which were all played on the spot. Both Zhan Zhan and the director were very happy, so we had a lot of improvisations. After the broadcast, the audience feedback was very impressive and liked it very much.
The master and the apprentice crossed their legs at the same time
The Paper : Can you share your feelings about working with directors Zheng Xiaolong and Cao Yiwen?
Liang Chao : Director Zheng Xiaolong has very high requirements for acting. He doesn't want costume dramas to be pretentious, but lifelike. First of all, you play a person, and the audience must believe in the character you play. Sometimes when an actor does not act right, Director Xiaolong will not directly tell you that you acted wrong on the spot, but will analyze the character and the plot with the actor, and he will guide and inspire the actor. In this way, the actor will be relaxed and confident during the filming process.
Director Cao Yiwen is very clear about what he wants, and all departments will personally inquire and discuss solutions. Moreover, he has strong adaptability and clear thinking logic. One afternoon, Hengdian suddenly began to snow, heavy snow, and snow is uncontrollable. He suddenly asked for the costumes to be set, props to be prepared, and added a scene for the actors. There were no lines in that scene. In the end, Zang Hai was in the snow. After telling Pingjin Hou his identity, his inner state was both relieved and sad, and he remembered the past, this complex mood that had passed the first level. The scene where he walked in the snow was added temporarily. I think Director Cao is a perfectionist at work and a director who is willing to listen to the suggestions of actors.
I had a very easy and pleasant time working with both directors.
The Paper : There is a rumor going around that any drama filmed when it snows in Hengdian will become a hit.
Liang Chao : I saw it, too. But I don’t understand the data and have never paid attention to it. I only pay attention to the online comments and the data I get, which I think are all good. And I heard that this drama has become popular overseas.
Stills from The Legend of the Hidden Sea
The master is the father-in-law? I can't understand
The Paper : Speaking of netizens’ comments, I also saw some comments saying, "Master, are you the big boss?"
Liang Chao : I can understand saying that the master is the big boss, the master is the masked man, or the master is the third person. But why do some comments say, "The master is the eunuch"? I can't understand. Some people say that Gao Ming has no beard and he is the eunuch beside the emperor. Sometimes when I live broadcast or read netizens' comments, I will help him analyze and reasonably describe this character. Gao Ming often disguises himself in the play. If he wears a beard, his face will be recognizable, so he doesn't have a beard, which may be convenient for him to disguise himself.
The Paper : Have you seen some of the netizens’ creative videos about “The Legend of the Lost Tomb”?
Liang Chao : Yes. Yesterday I watched a play about Eunuch Cao going to a banquet at the Marquis of Pingjin’s mansion. It was about him mutilating himself. He was also a drama queen. He frightened the Marquis of Pingjin, and then suddenly it turned into Eunuch Cao’s social dance. I think this netizen is very talented.
The Paper : Finally, please use three words to describe the drama “The Legend of the Lost Tomb”?
Liang Chao : The production is exquisite, the performance is fine, and the structure is exquisite.
