Wang Kai (actor)

Wang Kai (Chinese: 王凯, born 18 August 1982) is a Chinese actor. He is known for his television roles in All Quiet in Peking (2014), The Disguiser (2015), Nirvana in Fire (2015), Ode to Joy (2016), When a Snail Falls in Love (2016), and Stay With Me (2016), as well as his film role in The Devotion of Suspect X.

Early life and education

Wang Kai was born in Wuhan in Hubei Province. Although he wanted to become an actor after performing Thunderstorm in school, his father wanted him to do sports while his mother wanted him to find a stable job.^[1] As a result, he worked as a book porter at Xinhua Bookstore after high school. During his free time, he took on side jobs such as attending activities organized by TV stations, taking model-training courses, and shooting commercials. In 2002, during the shooting of a commercial, the director suggested Wang attend an acting academy. Wang resigned from his job and moved to Shanghai to take courses on acting at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in 2002. The next year, he applied for the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama. Wang received offers from both academies, and chose to attend the latter.^[2]

Career

Beginnings

While a student at the Central Academy of Drama, Wang Kai received his first acting role in Cold Autumn (2006), upon recommendation of his professor Zhang Xiaolong.^[3] In 2006, he participated in his first film My Puppy My Love (2012), an animal movie which focuses on dogs.^[4]

In 2007, Wang graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and signed with Huayi Brothers. During his first year with Huayi, he received no roles except for a minor role in Water Point Peach Blossom by Ma Lujian, the director of Cold Autumn.^[5] He also had a minor role in the romantic comedy drama Calling For Love. As the series would be aired in Taiwan, he learned to speak with a Taiwanese accent for the role.^[6]

2008–13: Breaking into television

Wang Kai's first breakthrough in the industry was his casting in Ugly Wudi, adapted from the American comedy series Ugly Betty. The TV series was a commercial success, with the all four seasons being the highest viewed TV show in its time slot.^[7] Although he tried out for the male lead, he was instead offered the role of Chen Jiaming, a sassy advertising director.^[8] Wang continued to play the role for all four seasons of the series’ run between 2008 and 2010. While filming Ugly Wudi, he left Huayi Brothers and signed with Ugly Wudi’s production company, Nesound International.^[4]

After the success of Ugly Wudi, Wang Kai found himself offered roles similar to his role in the series. Unwilling to be typecast, he rejected them all. Finally, he was offered the role of the a rugged and uneducated youth in Youth (2012).^[9][10] He then starred in New Detective Squad (2013), a Republican-era detective series loosely based on The Three Heroes and Five Gallants.^[11] The series had high viewership in mainland China and developed a small cult following online.^[12][13]

2014–2015: Mainstream success

In 2013, with the disbandment of Nesound’s management department, Wang Kai joined Shandong Television & Film. His first role under the company was a police officer in the critically acclaimed historical drama All Quiet in Peking, which was released in 2014.^[14] This was a major turning point for his career. Although the series had low viewership, Wang was praised for his ability to hold his own against multiple acclaimed veteran actors.^[15] The same year, he starred in the historical film, A Murder Beside Yanhe River, where he plays a Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army officer who becomes a murder suspect.^[16] The film premiered in December 2014, and Wang Kai received his first acting award, the Best New Actor Award at the 9th Chinese Youth Film Forum for his performance in the film.^[17]

In December 2014, when Hou Hongliang resigned from Shandong Film & Television to focus on Daylight Entertainment Ltd., Wang Kai left with him for Daylight Entertainment.^[18] He then starred in three television series produced by Daylight Entertainment: Nirvana in Fire, The Disguiser, and Love Me If You Dare. Wang played a loyal and capable triple agent in The Disguiser, the neglected prince Xiao Jingyan who climbs his way to the throne with the help of his best friend in Nirvana in Fire and the protagonist's best friend in Love Me, If You Dare.^[19][20][21] All three dramas were critical and commercial successes, and Wang received acclaim for his versatile acting.^[22][23][24]

Following the airing of these dramas, Wang Kai experienced a sharp rise in popularity.^[25][8][26] He was nominated for the Best Actor award at the Huading Awards and Shanghai Television Festival for his performance in The Disguiser and Nirvana in Fire respectively, and won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Asia Rainbow TV Awards. Wang had become a regular in both magazines and fashion events, and also received several endorsement deals.^{[27][28][29][30][31]}

2016–present

In 2016, he featured in metropolitan romance drama Ode to Joy.^[32] Although he did not appear until episode 11, Wang in association with the show was one of the most discussed topics on social medias.^[33] He reunited with his Ode to Joy co-star Wang Ziwen in crime thriller When a Snail Falls in Love, adapted from Ding Mo's novel of the same name.^[34] The drama was a hit with local and overseas audience, and received 9.8 out 10 score on viki.com.^[24] The same year, Wang starred alongside Joe Chen in romance drama Stay with Me^[35] and starred in Jackie Chan's action comedy movie Railroad Tigers.^[36]

In 2017, Wang starred in The Devotion of Suspect X, adapted from the Japanese novel of the same name.^[37] The film was a box office success.^[38] The same year, he was cast in A Better Tomorrow 4, directed by Ding Sheng and a remake of the original classic.^[39]

Other activities

In February 2016, Wang Kai co-founded Deshe Entertainment (Tianjin) Ltd. The company’s co-investor is Daylight Entertainment, and its legal representative is Hou Hongliang.^[40]

Social

Wang was part of Han Hong's charity campaign to provide medical assistance in Gansu.^[41] He was made ambassador of "1219 Long Love" public event in Beijing,^[42] Estée Lauder Companies's Greater China's Breast Cancer Awareness Pink ribbon program^[43] and appointed the Traffic Safety Ambassador for Beijing.^[44]

Aside from his own activities, Wang's fans also made news in China for donating various roads in disadvantaged areas in the name of his characters,^[45] including Ming Cheng, Xiao Jingyan, Fang Mengwei, Qi Yong, and Liu Chengzhi.^[46]

Filmography

Film

Television

Variety show

Discography

Singles

Awards and nominations

References

External links

• Wang Kai on Weibo
• Wang Kai on Baidu