Li Yapeng: 'Love is not something you can preserve'
The movie sequel to a 1998 television series of the same name stars Li Yapeng (李亚鹏), Xu Jinglei, Wang Xuebing and other A-list Chinese actors.
The movie was an instant box office hit, selling more than 70 million tickets within the first three days of its premier. On Valentine’s Day alone, it was the most viewed movie in 95 percent of cinemas across China.
- More on CNNGo: Andy Lau -- 'I only do one thing a day'
The box office is clearly the last thing actor-turned-producer Li Yadeng has to worry about.
In high spirits, he shares his impression of Shanghai, how the “Six One” clique -- a Beijing-based celebrity group including Vicki Zhao and Na Ying, put together bu Li's wife, Faye Wong -- came about, and how he and Faye Wong keep their love fresh.
Men tend to be more rational than women when it comes to affairs of the heart. When a woman has made up her mind, she’ll be much bolder. — Li Yapeng
CNNGo: Both the television series and movie versions of "Eternal Moments" ("将爱进行到底") were shot in Shanghai. What are your impressions of the city?
Li Yapeng (李亚鹏): When we shot the TV series in 1998, Shanghai was only starting to undergo large-scale construction.
We all loved Shanghai. Coming here felt like we were going overseas and I always feel very relaxed while I am here.
We also liked going out after filming wrapped up, I was always on Hengshan Lu.
In the TV series, you can get glimpses of many of the bridges and other infrastructure that you see today, but they were all newly constructed back then. Tongji, Jiaotong and Teacher’s University -- we were filming in all these campuses.
Shanghai today is so different from the Shanghai of 12 years ago. I feel nostalgic each time I return.
CNNGo: As a producer, have you been affected by the pressures of the box office, and for product placement?
Li Yapeng (李亚鹏): The pressure is there, but it’s less than I expected because "Eternal Moments" ("将爱进行到底") has lots of loyal viewers accumulated from its TV series days.
We do have some product placement in the film. I was repeatedly asking our crew, "Did we place the products too subtly? Will this upset our sponsors?"
- More on CNNGo: Joseph Cheng -- 'I'm attracted to alpha females'
At the premiere, not a single person raised the issue of product placement. I started to worry that we didn't give our sponsors their money’s worth.
I guess, even though we have included a fair bit of product placement in this movie, it has not comprised on the movie-viewing experience.
(Interview continues below photo.)
Li Yapeng (李亚鹏): In the movie, Wen Hui has already been divorced for some time and is a single mother, whereas Yang Zheng has to return to Beijing the next day to settle his divorce, so he is definitely under more emotional stress.
Also, men tend to be more rational than women when it comes to affairs of the heart. When a woman has made up her mind, she’ll be much bolder.
You can’t Saran wrap or deep freeze love in hopes of preserving it. Love requires constant innovation. — Li Yapeng
CNNGo: What was your wife, Faye Wong’s reaction after watching the movie?
Li Yapeng (李亚鹏): Ever since the premiere, I’ve been so busy with promotional shows in Guangzhou, Hangzhou and now Shanghai that we haven’t got much chance to chat.
It seems she’s not too pleased with the love scene though.
CNNGo: What do the members of Faye Wong's “Six One” clique normally do when you meet up? Sing karaoke? Play mahjong?
Li Yapeng (李亚鹏): We came to Shanghai on a group trip several years ago. More recently, we organized an international film festival.
This group is actually a pretty meaningful one. We each pitched in an idea, and the crucial thing is we managed to pull it off.
CNNGo: Who is the noisiest and the naughtiest of the group?
Li Yapeng (李亚鹏): We are all quite out-going, but we’ve got some who like talking and others who prefer writing.
During the film festival, the professionals commented that from the scriptwriting to the lights and interior design, everything was on par with industry standard. We’ve got people of different backgrounds and professions in our group, and each contributed according to his ability.
Not all within the “Six One” group are celebrities, so the public might not know about their talents, but they are all very talented.
(Interview continues below photo.)
Shanghai today is so different from the Shanghai of 12 years ago. I feel nostalgic each time I return. — Li Yapeng
Li Yapeng (李亚鹏): Measuring a relationship in terms of its freshness is a very tricky and commercial way of looking at things. It's a reflection of modern life: everything has to be easy and convenient, so we try to keep it in the refrigerator or cover it with plastic wrap.
CNNGo: So is it possible to preserve freshness when it comes to love?
Li Yapeng (李亚鹏): You can’t plastic wrap or deep-freeze love in hopes of preserving it. Love requires constant innovation and effort from both parties to make sure the relationship stays fresh.
Take establishing a family for example; this can be taken as an injection of freshness into a relationship. A couple needs to shop for a home, do renovations and all that in order to build a life and raise a family together.
These collective efforts will help both parties stay together longer.
- More on CNNGo: Fan Bingbing's bizarre skin-care methods, and other secrets from the star of 'Sacrifice'
A relationship is more long lasting when couples constantly discover new, shared ideals in terms of work, family and emotional matters and pursue these goals together.
