On 03/21/2022, Peng Guanying was interviewed by NetEase Entertainment and shared his views on his roles and career.

The drama “Two Conjectures About Marriage” recently came to an end. Peng Guanying played the programmer Yang Zheng in the drama. Because of the character’s own personality traits, he sparked heated discussions among the audience on the Internet.

Faced with a somewhat controversial role, Peng Guanying admitted that it was out of an actor’s instinct that made him take on this role. The humorous lines and the light comedy presentation are a brand new performance style for Peng Guanying.

As his understanding deepened, Peng Guanying also discussed Yang Zheng’s behavior in the drama with the director. However, just as an actor must serve the role, the role also needs to serve the plot under certain circumstances. Years of professional accumulation allowed Peng Guanying to set off with the role and present a realistic and vivid Yang Zheng to the audience.

In 2011, Peng Guanying, who graduated from the Beijing Film Academy, made his official debut as Du Yi in “Naked Marriage”. From the supporting roles initially to the leading male roles later on, Peng Guanying has experienced a lot along the way, and “opportunity” is a word he mentioned repeatedly.

Due to the intense cycle of the film and television industry, every newcomer needs to accelerate their development when they first enter the industry. In order to seize opportunities before they come, and to grasp opportunities when they come, Peng Guanying said: “Don’t be anxious in a hurry, do things steadily, opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared.”

Many viewers have asked, “Given Peng Guanying’s acting skills, why hasn’t he become popular yet?” The title of “drama-throwing face” is an affirmation of his acting skills. However, Peng Guanying’s attitude towards becoming popular is very clear-headed and calm, “Being popular is just a state at a stage in life, it should not be a mentality.” As Peng Guanying said, life is like a marathon, short-term success is fleeting and temporary, and only by taking every step steadily can we reach the final mountain peak.

Yang Zheng is a completely new performance style for me.

– Question: After the broadcast of “Two Conjectures About Marriage”, fans have a love-hate relationship with Yang Zheng. When you accepted the role, did you consider the possibility of being criticized by netizens?

* PGY: I think as an actor, I had an instinct to play this kind of role. As for the irritating parts, I also discussed it with the director, but in the end we reached a consensus that if Yang Zheng didn’t do these things at this time, the plot would not be able to move forward. Therefore, as an actor, I still have to cooperate with the plot to complete it.

The humorous lines and some light comedy methods in the script are a brand new acting style that I can try.

– Question: Are you worried that the audience will have a bad impression of you because of this character filter?

* PGY: No, I think the audience is very clear. The character is the character, and the actor is the actor, and people should never cyberbully the actor. If it doesn’t work next time, open a Weibo account for Yang Zheng, and those who want to scold him can go there. If you want to praise me, go to my Weibo and praise me. If you want to scold him, open a Weibo account specifically for him and scold him.

– Question: Many drama fans said they want to see you play a “white moonlight” type of role. What do you think?

* PGY: Actually, when I portray a character, I don’t look at how good the character is at first, but I look for his flaws. This is a way to make the audience believe in the authenticity of the character. Therefore, even if I really play the role of “white moonlight”, I will first look for his flaws.

– Question: Recently, drama “Unexpected Falling” passed the review and became a hot topic. Compared with “The Confidence” from the same creative team, what breakthroughs do you think you have made in this drama?

* PGY: I think everyone can look forward to it. When the drama is broadcast, you can see how we play the interesting roles, or what new style I tried in my performance. You can also see that I have glasses in the drama, but he (the character) will still give a different portrayal. Let’s wait and see.

– Question: There were topics on Weibo before such as: “Peng Guanying’s suit is everlasting”, “Peng Guanying welded his windbreaker to his body”, and “Peng Guanying welded his glasses to his face”. As the real person, what do you think makes you the most handsome?

* PGY: I think I look the most handsome when I am working hard, haha. “Welding” is a form of compliment, I accept it and am grateful, but I still think that people who work hard are the most attractive.

– Question: Many netizens have lamented, “Why does Peng Guanying get more and more handsome as he gets older? Is this the charm of a mature man?” Do you have anything to say?

* PGY: Maybe everyone sees a gradually mature and interesting soul under my body, so everyone thinks I get more handsome as I get older. This is because the word “handsome” is not a single image or part, it is related to personality, experience, temperament and aura. People think I’m handsome now because other things have started to develop and change.

If you want to make yourself more beautiful or handsome, you must work hard to learn to change your inner self, and your temperament will also become different. It’s just like a power bank that must first charge itself before it can transmit positive energy to everyone.

It is important to have the urge to perform the role.

– Question: It is the spring recruitment season now, and many fresh graduates have said that they have encountered the most difficult year for campus recruitment. Do you still remember how you felt when you interviewed for first male lead and you succeeded?

* PGY: I have also experienced a lot. Because in our industry, the cycle is very intense, and we cannot learn and teach on the spot. If you are a newcomer, it is a very lucky thing that everyone is willing to spend time, manpower and financial resources on you and create an atmosphere and opportunities for you.

We need to accumulate, just like with an internship, first get some qualifications, then have some experience, determine your career path, and then realize which direction we can develop in. Many of our actors eventually become directors, producers, or switch to other careers. In the process, they may find more ways to realize themselves or maximize their value, so they choose to make changes.

Therefore, I think you shouldn’t be in a hurry, but do things steadily. Don’t always think that you are not given opportunities. Opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared.

– Question: What were the difficult things you encountered when you were a new actor?

* PGY: Opportunities, and still more opportunities. At that time, I always felt that I lacked opportunities, but when opportunities came, I found that I was not ready.

I may have been really ready in the past few years because it requires long-term accumulation. As the saying goes, “A man is established at the age of 30.” I think it was only after I turned 30 that I began to understand some things, and I gradually reflected them in my works. Thus, my performances now are definitely richer, more three-dimensional and more well-rounded than before.

– Question: Among the characters you have played, is there any one that you achieved through hard work and fighting for it?

* PGY: Both of them, but I also have opportunities. I feel that I am still very lucky to have so many brothers and sisters who have always taken care of me and given me such opportunities.

Therefore if your cooperative partner or your boss gives you an opportunity, those who are capable should do more work. As long as you do the truly essential things well, everyone will see your efforts and dedication, and he will give you next chance, and you will become better and better.

– Question: If you work hard but still can’t get the results you want, should you just lie still and opt out?

* PGY: No, really not! Because I think life is very short, you have to remember that gold will always shine. Your excellence will not be submerged, and as long as you work hard, it will be noticed by others.

Life is a marathon. There is no need to pursue short-term success. Because life has not reached the end and is not over yet, you may still have opportunities. Thus, don’t give up on yourself in this process, don’t just lie still and live your life. The future is full of possibilities, so you have to charge forward and work hard.

I feel hesitant sometimes at my age, and I get worried when there are no films to shoot. I still hope to work more and share more roles with everyone, so never give up.

– Question: What do you think about becoming popular suddenly? Do you expect such a thing to happen?

* PGY: I think being popular is just a state at a stage of life, it shouldn’t be a mentality.

We all have our own goals in life. Why do some people fail? That is because they keep staring at the mountain when going. However, there is a way to keep your eyes on the road under your feet. Just walk in that direction, and occasionally look up, and you will find a different scenery. There are many friends and relatives, and there are many sceneries you have never seen. After walking all the way with laughter and joy, you suddenly find that you have reached the top of the mountain. I think this is a very good mentality.

– Question: You mentioned before that “the interesting thing about the profession of an actor is that the characters you have played will retain some specific habits in yourself.” Where do you think there are traces of the characters you have played in the past?

* PGY: Actually, it’s all of them. For example, Yang Zheng makes my performance state more relaxed, which is a very good performance state. Yang Zheng has given me a new standard for relaxation.

– Question: Are there any other fields or roles you would like to try?

* PGY: Actually, there is no specific one. As an actor, I am not picky because I didn’t have the ability to be picky before. Now I think it is important to have the urge to perform a role, and that makes it a good opportunity.