Wang Kai’s 6-Year Journey Playing Song Yunhui in “Dajiang Dahe” Trilogy
The reform-and-opening-themed TV series “The Time Cantabile” is currently being aired on CCTV. From the official launch of the first part of “Dajiang Dahe” in February 2018 to now, Wang Kai has spent 6 years interpreting the ups and downs of a character’s struggle. He regards Song Yunhui as one of the important roles in his life. From a child in a village to a college student, from the technical backbone of a state-owned enterprise to the head of a factory, the protagonist Song Yunhui grew up all the way in the “Big River” trilogy.
“The Time Cantabile” is the third part of the “Dajiang Dahe” series. It is adapted from Anai’s original novel “Dajiang Dahe Goes East”. This is also the final chapter of the “Dajiang Dahe” series. The “Big River” series closely follows the destiny of individuals and writes the history of reform and opening up. It does not avoid the contradictions and problems of the times, nor the multi-faceted nature of human nature. It uses the spirit of reform and opening up to shoot reform and opening up themes. The trilogy received high ratings, with Song Yunhui, the soul of the whole drama, being regarded as one of the most representative characters in recent screen works on the theme of reform and opening up.
For Wang Kai, playing Song Yunhui’s character has been a wonderfully unique and unforgettable experience. Over the span of 6 years, Wang Kai has seen the character evolve from a young and stubborn college entrance examination student to a mature and prudent leader of a state-owned enterprise with “almost no shortcomings”. The character’s appeal, according to Wang Kai, comes from the charm and tenacity endowed by the times. As an actor, Wang Kai believes Song Yunhui is a growing character who has learned different skills at different stages of his life, much like himself.
As the final chapter of the trilogy airs, Wang Kai admits that he understands Song Yunhui better and better, and feels that he has gradually integrated with the character, letting everything take its course. The experience of playing the character for 6 years has brought special deep feelings to Wang Kai. He believes that “Dajiang Dahe” series is a particularly serious and excellent work, worthy of recording and paying tribute to the tenacity and hard work of the father’s generation.