The camera flashes, cheers, and screams that filled the premiere theater for "Johnny Keep Walking!" left veteran actor Ouyang Fenqiang feeling a mixture of awkwardness and nervousness. He had never attended an event like this before. Many moviegoers greeted him or shouted, "I love you, Jia Baoyu!" referring to his iconic role in a classic TV series. He smiled back.

A photo of actor Ouyang Fenqiang. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Back in 1987, Ouyang became a household name, starring as Jia Baoyu in one of China's most popular TV series, "A Dream in Red Mansions," based on the classic Chinese novel. The series, produced by China Central Television, cast actors in 1983 and began filming in 1984. Now a TV director and actor, Ouyang had never ventured into the world of motion pictures. He told China.org.cn that he lacked the self-belief to do so.

This time, however, film director Dong Runnian approached him to play the corporate chairman in "Johnny Keep Walking!," a satirical comedy about office politics. "I received a phone call asking me to play the chairman, and I just couldn't believe it. I don't see myself looking like a chairman," Ouyang said.

Actor Ouyang Fenqiang at the premiere of "Johnny Keep Walking!" in Beijing, Dec. 26, 2023. [Photo courtesy of AskWin]

However, the casting team assured him that the director and producer personally wished to cast him. Ouyang was eventually convinced to join the cast and began filming in Changsha, Hunan province.

The actor recounted how this experience echoed his casting for "A Dream in Red Mansions" back in 1983. Then, TV director Wang Fulin persuaded him, at 19, to take the role, with makeup artists and stylists helping to boost his confidence. In his recent role, although initially doubting his fit as the chairman, Ouyang found his courage through makeup and his personal touch of adding a pair of glasses.

A young Ouyang Fenqiang as Jia Baoyu in the 1980s TV series "A Dream in Red Mansions," a phenomenon following its 1987 broadcast. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Just as he didn't expect "A Dream in Red Mansions" to become a phenomenon that influenced generations, Ouyang didn't foresee the massive success of "Johnny Keep Walking!" The film has been a huge hit since its debut at the end of 2023, now grossing over 770 million yuan ($107 million) as of Jan. 14 and earning a high score of 8.2/10 on Douban, a review aggregation website. Industry observers predict the film will surpass the 1-billion-yuan mark at the box office in the coming weeks.

"I felt thankful that the character I played received positive recognition from the audience," he said. However, even at the premiere, he lacked the confidence to watch his enlarged self on the big screen for a long time. It was only days later that he invited a few friends to buy tickets and watch the film. He praised it as an excellent, sophisticated comedy with dark humor and noted that he was in tears at the end of the film. "It has elements and content that can provoke your thoughts, reminding me of Nikolai Gogol's 'The Government Inspector' and many novels by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. My fellow actors also delivered sincere performances, especially the lead actor Da Peng."

A poster for "Johnny Keep Walking!" [Image courtesy of Beijing J.Q. Spring Pictures]

Now 59, Ouyang also revealed that in recent years, his focus has extended beyond directing TV dramas to actively promoting Chinese traditional culture. Reflecting on the fame he gained in the 1980s, he said, "There are still so many 'A Dream in Red Mansions' fans, about 100 million in China. I want to thank them for supporting and accompanying us, the actors in the TV series, for decades. Their support has given us solid faith to spread and celebrate our traditional culture."

Ouyang shared that working with young filmmakers on "Johnny Keep Walking!" was a profound learning experience and a source of inspiration. "Any excellent work needs to be polished and crafted with a calm and earnest attitude, without seeking quick money. I heard the director had revised the script seven or eight times since 2017. Also, for a creator, making a film that touches on social issues and corporate environments requires courage. This resonates with many people and demonstrates the creator's social responsibility and conscientiousness."

A photo of actor Ouyang Fenqiang dressed as a corporate chairman in the film "Johnny Keep Walking!" [Photo courtesy of Beijing J.Q. Spring Pictures]

The veteran actor thanked the film's director, producer, and fellow actors for providing a warm and relaxed environment for his performance. "I had an excellent experience this time, which has given me great confidence to venture onto the big screen. I hope there will be more opportunities and possibilities like this, and I will do my best to fulfill my role," said Ouyang.

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