Wikipedia

Wen Zhang

In this Chinese name, the family name is Wen.

Wen Zhang (Chinese: 文章, born 26 June 1984) is a Chinese actor. He graduated from the Central Academy of Drama in 2006. Wen ranked 58th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2013,[1] and 45th in 2014.[2]

Wen Zhang
Born (1984-06-26) 26 June 1984 (age 40)
Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
Alma materCentral Academy of Drama
Occupations
Years active2006–present
AgentEasy Entertainment
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2008; div. 2019)​
Children2 daughters
Chinese name
Chinese文章
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWén Zhāng

Career

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Rising popularity

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Wen first became known for his role in the youth drama Romantic Life.[3]

Wen rose to fame for his role in the youth television series Struggle (2007). Based on the popular novel by Shi Kang, Struggle gained unexpected acclaim and was seen as a breakthrough in Chinese TV production as it broke from the usual Chinese TV series focusing in traditional legends and series.[4]

Another notable series Wen starred in is Dwelling Narrowness (2009).[citation needed] The series, which focuses on rising property prices in China and the impact it has on youths and their ambitions, was a major hit with the audiences and sparked a discussion among youths online.[5] The same year, he made his film debut in A Tale of Two Donkeys (directed by Li Dawei), a black comedy film set in the Cultural Revolution.[6] Wen won the Best New Actor award at the China Movie Channel Media Awards for his performance.[7]

Mainstream success

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Wen had his first major role on the screen in Xue Xiaolu's literary film, Ocean Heaven (2010), playing a 21-year-old autistic man whose only happiness is swimming. Wen was initially rejected by the producers, as he did not fit their requirements; and this prompted him to master four kinds of living strokes in one week. After he successfully got the role, Wen underwent arduous training - which involves swimming 5000 m per day and a 180-day's living with a group of autistic people, which Wen says helped him get closer to their inner mind. Wen's efforts paid off to overwhelming positive reviews from critics, and he clinched the Best Actor award at the China Movie Channel Media Awards.[8][9] The same year, Wen won the Best Actor award at the Sichuan Television Festival and Audience's Choice for Actor at the Golden Eagle Awards for his role as a war-time hero in Snow Leopard.[10][11][12]

In 2011, Wen starred in the romantic comedy Love is Not Blind alongside Bai Baihe.[13] The low-budget film became a surprise hit and ended up grossing over 350 million yuan at the Chinese box office.[14] Wen won the Best Actor award at the Hundred Flowers Award for his performance.[citation needed] The same year, Wen won the Best Actor award at the China TV Drama Awards for his performance in Naked Wedding.[15] The series, which explores the struggles a China couple faces when they marry for love with no house, substantial savings, or elaborate ceremonies, struck a chord with Chinese youths and become a major hit.[16][17]

In 2013, he starred as Tang Sanzang in Stephen Chow's fantasy blockbuster Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons,[18] which broke records to become the highest grossing Chinese movie then.[19] He also starred in action comedy Badges of Fury alongside Jet Li.[20] The same year, Wen launched his directorial debut, Little Daddy on the small screen; which stars himself as the lead actor.[21] He received the award for Best TV Series for the production, and the Best TV Actor award at the LETV Awards.[citation needed]

Post-scandal and successful comeback

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Wen directed his first film, When Larry Met Mary which was released in 2016.[22] However, despite positive reviews, the film failed to do well at the box office.[23] Wen received the Best Directorial Debut award at the Golden Rooster Awards.[citation needed]

The same year, Wen made a successful comeback in 2016 with the hit television series, Young Marshal, a biopic based on the life of war hero Zhang Xueliang.[24]

Personal life

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Wen married Chinese actress Ma Yili, who is eight years older, and they have a two-year-old daughter. They first met while appearing in a Chinese historical television drama The Jinyiwei Guard. When they filmed Struggle together, they became lovers. However, in 2014, Wen was exposed by the media to be involved in an affair with Yao Di, a Chinese actress who starred with Wen in the 2011 television series Naked Marriage. His affair attracted widespread discussion on Sina Weibo with over millions of comments.[25] On 28 July 2019, they announced their divorce on Sina Weibo.[26]

Filmography

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Film

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Year English title Chinese title Role Notes
2009 A Tale of Two Donkeys 走着瞧 Ma Jie
2010 Ocean Heaven 海洋天堂 Da Fu
2011 Mr. & Mrs. Incredible 神奇侠侣 Emperor [27]
The Law of Attraction 万有引力 Gao Yuan [28]
The Sorcerer and the White Snake 白蛇传说 Neng Ren [29]
Love is Not Blind 失恋33天 Wang Xiaojian
2012 In-Laws New Year 亲家过年 Zhang Xuelun [30]
Truth or Dare 真心话大冒险 Cameo
All for Love 三个未婚妈妈 Cameo
The Guillotines 血滴子 Qian Long [31]
2013 Beyond the Bounds 越位者 Cameo
Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons 西游·降魔篇 Tang Sanzang
Badges of Fury 不二神探 Wang Bu'er
2014 On the Way 我在路上最爱你 Xia Yu [32]
Gone with the Bullets 一步之遥 Wu Qi [33]
2016 The Mermaid 美人鱼 Policeman Cameo[34]
League of Gods 封神传奇 Nezha [35]
When Larry Met Mary 陆垚知马俐 Director
2017 Gong Shou Dao 功守道 Director[36]
2018 Fat Buddies 胖子行动队 [37]
2019 God of Practice 遇神 [38]

Television series

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Year English title Chinese title Role Notes
2000 Bloom of Youth 青春正点 Chen Long
2001 Black Triangle 黑三角 Du Liang
2003 拯救少年犯 Cao Xiaolei
2004 You Are Smiling, While I am Weeping 你在微笑我却哭了 Chen Chen
2006 Song of Youth 青春之歌 Lin Daofeng
Romantic Life 与青春有关的日子 Zhuo Yue
Embroidered Uniform Guard 锦衣卫 Zhu Tianjiao
2007 暗流 Duan Yifei [39]
Struggle 奋斗 Xiang Nan
Where is Happiness 幸福在哪里 Cameo
2008 Brothers 兄弟门 Hua Xiaowen [40]
2009 Prominent Family 望族 Du Qingming [41]
Love in Sun Moon Lake 爱在日月潭 Meng Ting [42]
Dwelling Narrowness 蜗居 Xiao Bei
2010 Snow Leopard 雪豹 Zhou Weiguo
National Anthem 国歌 Nie Er [43]
冰是睡着的水 Coach Gao
2011 Naked Wedding 裸婚时代 Liu Yiyang
再过把瘾 Cameo
Black Fox 黑狐 Luo Bin [44]
2013 Blood Rose 3 血色玫瑰之女子特遣队 Wang Jingwei [45]
Little Daddy 小爸爸 Yu Guo Also director
Love is not Blind 失恋33天 Cameo
2016 Young Marshal 少帅 Zhang Xueliang
Happy Mitan 欢喜密探 Cameo
2017 Razor 剃刀边缘 Xu Congliang Also director[46]
2020 Raiders of the New Way 一步登天 Na Lan [47]
Snow Leopard 2 雪豹2 Zhou Weiguo [48]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2009 China Movie Channel Media Awards Best New Actor A Tale of Two Donkeys Won [7]
2010 Best Actor Ocean Heaven Won [9]
2011 Beijing College Student Film Festival Best Actor Nominated
Most Popular Actor Won [49]
Huabiao Film Awards Best Newcomer Won [50]
Golden Phoenix Awards Society Award Won [51]
China TV Drama Awards Best Actor Naked Wedding Won [15]
Shanghai Television Festival Best Actor Snow Leopard Nominated
2012 Golden Eagle Awards Audience's Choice for Actor Won [12]
Most Popular Actor Won
Shanghai Television Festival Best Actor Naked Wedding Nominated
China Film Director's Guild Awards Best Actor Love is Not Blind Nominated
Beijing College Student Film Festival Best Actor Nominated
Most Popular Actor Won [52]
Hundred Flowers Award Best Actor Won [citation needed]
2013 Sichuan Television Festival Best Actor Snow Leopard Won [11]
LeTV Awards Best Director (TV) Little Daddy Won [citation needed]
Best Actor (TV) Won
China TV Drama Awards Best Director Won
2016 Asian New Talent Award Best Director When Larry Met Mary Nominated [53]
2017 31st Golden Rooster Awards Best Directorial Debut Won [citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "2013 Forbes China Celebrity 100 List: Fan Bingbing in Top Spot". JayneStars. 24 April 2013.
  2. ^ "2014 Forbes China Celebrity List (Full List)". Forbes. 6 May 2014.
  3. ^ 文章畅谈心路历程 马伊琍获影后发甜蜜短信. Sina (in Chinese). 27 December 2009.
  4. ^ 《奋斗》火爆文章窜红 如小燕子赵薇一夜成名. Sina (in Chinese). 21 January 2008.
  5. ^ "Hit TV Series Strikes Chord with China's "House Slaves"". The Wall Street Journal. 26 November 2009.
  6. ^ ""A Tale of Two Donkeys" Wins Laughter in CSFF". China Radio International. 9 April 2010.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ a b 电影频道传媒大奖揭晓 《走着瞧》成最大赢家. NetEase (in Chinese). 22 June 2009.
  8. ^ "'Ocean Heaven' Actor Wen Zhang: It's Good to Learn". China Radio International. 15 June 2010.[dead link‍]
  9. ^ a b "Actor 'Little octopus' says We Can". China Daily. 29 July 2010.
  10. ^ 文章从男孩蜕变为男人 《雪豹》中首演军人. Sina (in Chinese). 19 August 2010.
  11. ^ a b ""A Bite of China", "Downton Abbey" win top prizes". CCTV.com. 19 November 2013.
  12. ^ a b "Golden Eagle TV Art Festival opens in Hunan Province". CCTV.com. 11 September 2012.
  13. ^ "Wen Zhang, Bai Baihe join 'Love is not Blind'". China Daily. 16 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Love Is Not Blind is a box office hit in China". Asia Pacific Arts. 22 November 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Sheren Tang and Kevin Cheng Win Most Popular Artist Awards in Beijing". JayneStars. 27 December 2011.
  16. ^ 《裸婚时代》开播即成收视冠军 话题十足引争议. Tencent (in Chinese). 23 June 2011.
  17. ^ 《裸婚时代》江苏卫视热播 导演解读80后新婚姻. Sina (in Chinese). 13 June 2011.
  18. ^ 《新大话》星爷再演孙悟空 舒淇文章或加盟. Mtime (in Chinese). 14 July 2011.
  19. ^ "Film Review: 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons'". Variety. 10 March 2013.
  20. ^ 《不二神探》首发预告定档6.28 文章李连杰再联手. Mtime (in Chinese). 1 May 2013.
  21. ^ 文章首当导演拍《小爸爸》 马伊琍成制片人[图]. People.com (in Chinese). 6 December 2012.
  22. ^ "Actor Wen's romantic comedy set for July release". China Daily. 6 June 2016.
  23. ^ "Box-office takings wilt in the heat of summer". China Daily. 5 August 2016.
  24. ^ "A look at the Xi'an Incident hero's formative years". China Daily. 21 January 2016.
  25. ^ "Actor's cheating apology sets China social network on fire". Sina. 31 March 2014.
  26. ^ 文章马伊琍情路回顾：几度合作拍戏，历经出轨门. 163.com (in Chinese). 28 July 2019.
  27. ^ 喜剧电影《神奇侠侣》配角也出彩 "神奇四宝”贺新年. China Radio International (in Chinese). 5 January 2011.
  28. ^ 文章白百何邂逅《万有引力》 明星爸妈演绎纯爱. Tencent (in Chinese). 1 April 2011.
  29. ^ "Charlene Choi, Wen Zhang seen in new film". China.org.cn. 1 July 2011.
  30. ^ 《亲家过年》刘芸与文章同甘共苦(图). Sina (in Chinese). 22 January 2012.
  31. ^ 《血滴子》曝阴谋预告片 大boss文章现身. Sina (in Chinese). 30 October 2012.
  32. ^ "Wen Zhang to Star in 3D Film 'On the Road'". China Radio International. 15 November 2011.[dead link‍]
  33. ^ "Wen Zhang, Wang Zhiwen join Jiang Wen's new film". China Daily. 19 August 2013.
  34. ^ 周星驰新片"美人鱼"曝片场照 邓超文章现身东莞 一个西装革履一个扮民警. Mtime (in Chinese). 6 January 2015.
  35. ^ 奇幻片《封神传奇》曝终极预告 李连杰范冰冰等众星集结 光明黑暗之战曝光. Mtime (in Chinese). 21 July 2016.
  36. ^ 《功守道》男主马云导演文章 网友：爸爸要当影帝. Sina (in Chinese). 29 October 2017.
  37. ^ 《胖子行动队》终极海报曝光登陆国庆 文章包贝尔 300斤重磅特工展“不凡”身手. Mtime (in Chinese). 14 September 2018.
  38. ^ 奇幻喜剧《遇神》开机 文章白客邓家佳热拍中. NetEase (in Chinese). 5 June 2019.
  39. ^ 青年演员文章《奋斗》之后 变身警察进《暗流》. Sina (in Chinese). 15 November 2006.
  40. ^ 齐欢文章再聚《兄弟门》 搭档吴秀波上演三角情. Sina (in Chinese). 5 August 2011.
  41. ^ 文章《望族》成功转型 胡玫赞其低调稳重(组图). Sina (in Chinese). 20 July 2009.
  42. ^ 林心如、文章《爱在日月潭》. Sina (in Chinese). 1 July 2008.
  43. ^ 文章《国歌》演聂耳 乐器自备曲子自弹(图). Sina (in Chinese). 14 April 2009.
  44. ^ 文章出演《黑狐》担任监制 延续《雪豹》班底. Sina (in Chinese). 27 December 2011.
  45. ^ 文章《血色玫瑰3》挑战阴郁反派汪精卫. Sina (in Chinese). 14 March 2013.
  46. ^ "Star couple to play in 'Spy Game'". China Daily. 17 March 2017.
  47. ^ 《一步登天》开机 闫妮搭档文章盼擦出火花. Sohu (in Chinese). 21 April 2017.
  48. ^ 文章张铭恩加盟《雪豹2》 吴刚未出演全阵容待宣. Sina (in Chinese). 3 July 2019.
  49. ^ 第18届北京大学生电影节落幕. enorth.com (in Chinese). 30 April 2011.
  50. ^ "Huabiao awards winners announced". CCTV.com. 30 August 2011.
  51. ^ 第十三届"金凤凰奖"揭晓 百余名表演艺术家出席. China.com (in Chinese). 12 August 2011.
  52. ^ "19th Beijing College Student Film Festival wraps up". China.org.cn. 27 April 2012.
  53. ^ "Candidates for the Asian New Talent Award". Shanghai Daily. 20 June 2016.
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