‘Chinese Paladin’ star Hu Ge, due to perform on ‘Chunwan’, talks theatre, TV and timepieces
The actor talks to STYLE about his career both on and offstage, his conservation efforts to protect the bar-headed goose, and his most fervent wish for 2019
Chinese heartthrob Hu Ge has been out of the limelight, but the award-winning actor is poised for a comeback with some meaningful projects, and is expected to perform on Chunwan, CCTV’s Lunar New Year extravaganza. The star of such critically acclaimed series as Chinese Paladin and Forty-Nine Days: Memorial popped in to the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2019 where STYLE caught up with him for a chat.
Have you always been a watch aficionado?
I think men are born with an affinity to mechanical objects. I think there is a chemical reaction between timepieces and human kind. Timepieces can elicit a very different feeling and impression when worn by a different individual, Alternately, different feelings will be evoked when the same person is wearing different timepieces.
What kind of timepieces do you prefer?
In a formal occasion, I would choose the Altiplano. It is an exquisite, classic piece that exudes a sense of elegance. As for something casual or sporty, Polo S would be the choice because of its sense of youthfulness.
You are here as a guest of Piaget. How did your collaboration with them start?
The first time I took part in their events was nearly 10 years ago, but we have been collaborating closely for three to four years now. I feel like a lot of Piaget’s values match mine perfectly. We always aim to do better than we are required to. It is not easy to do, but that has always been my goal. For example, I perform in this stage play A Dream Like a Dream at the same time every year and it allows me to feel the charm and enchantment of theatre. I think one of the greatest differences between being in a stage play and filming is that even though I am performing the same scene in each performance, I am still aiming for a better performance each time. I want to do better; I want to experience more so that my audiences can have more to take back from my performance.
After six years in the same role, are you bored with it?