pond of clown wizardy

As always, when it's Yibo's birthday I spend a fair amount of time reflecting on the past year, and on him as a person, and on all the things I've seen and heard from fans, from bloggers, from media and other sources.

And through this reflection one thing has stood out to me more than anything else: Yibo is a good influence.

Every time Yibo steps out of his comfort zone, he takes millions of people with him. Every time he challenges himself, he challenges millions of people to challenge themselves. Every time he tries something new, he inspires millions of people to try something new as well. Every time he stops to take a breath and look at the view, millions of people stop to do the same.

The standard thing to say here is that Yibo is an inspiration, but I'm not a fan of that word (as much as I may sometimes find myself saying it). It's too often used as a way to 'other' people and make them seem less/more than human.

In reality, Yibo is just a young guy living an interesting life, observed by uncountable people from every possible angle - favorable or unfavorable. How he lives his life and the kinds of choices he makes reveal a lot about his character as a person, but he also ends up setting an example in ways he might not expect or intend.

We've seen thousands of people take up climbing, surfing, tennis, skateboarding, dance and other healthy activities - many of whom would likely never have considered these things on their own. We've seen the stands at the racing venues pack full of fans, through wind and rain and scorching heat.

We've seen fans speaking with enthusiasm and authority about lap times, racing regulations and categories, and technical details about climbing gear and routes. We've seen people find new hobbies, interests, pursuits and dreams, all 'inspired' by Yibo's bold willingness to 'explore the unknown' and push his limits.

This more than anything, makes me so happy as a fan. I love to see people learn, grow, explore, challenge themselves, take on new interests and spend more time in nature.

As the letter-writer mentioned, Yibo has unintentionally corrected people's misconceptions about him, simply through living his life, being himself, and showing more of who he really is.

But more than that, he has reconfigured many people's focus and intent.

He has given people a reason to look up from their screens and see the vast world around them, and to explore that, really explore that and find something new and exciting.

"This moment is already the best place to begin."

I've seen these rumors too. Claims that Cheng Er's methods are abusive and exploitative, that he 'damaged' DD when working on Hidden Blade, and again when working on Mermaid. That he put DD through so much agony that DD basically quit the industry and walked away from filming entirely for years on end, because he was so traumatized.

BS. Utter BS.

In my opinion.

DD's 'hiatus'

First of all, we cannot attribute DD's break from acting to Cheng Er or to Mermaid.

He's been wanting a break for years. He said so himself that he was burning out on acting and on being a star. He wanted to live a free, casual life, to be an ordinary person, to pursue other interests that he's never had time to pursue.

He loves climbing, he loves racing. He loves nature and camping and hiking and exploring the world. He loves challenging himself and pushing his limits.

He hates being the subject of attention all the time. He hates being followed, stalked, photographed, yelled at in public, creeped on and stalked. This is something we've known about him for years - long before Cheng Er even entered his life.

And I feel the need to say, with all due respect to those who believe this slander about Cheng Er, that attributing a major life decision like 'taking a long break from the industry' to the actions of someone else rather than to DD's own personal autonomy and initiative is not only defamatory to Cheng Er, it's insulting to DD.

DD is the one behind the wheel of his life. No one else.

And I prefer not to frame DD's choices in the way some fans have. I don't view DD's life over the past couple years as 'a break from his acting career', I view it as, 'DD's life, where he is focusing on what is currently a priority for him'.

Acting is only one part of his life. He has many other facets, interests and pursuits. The fact that he's being authentically himself and just doing what he wants to do - that's very much part of who he is. I think it's to be celebrated.

"But I've 'heard things' about Cheng Er..."

Of course! People always believe they've 'heard things' about anyone they have chosen to attack. That's the entire purpose of rumors - to sow negativity, to tarnish reputations, and to direct hatred toward a target. Dark PR, antis, etc. are exceptionally good at weaponizing fans against whatever it is they want to take down.

But even the most casual examination shows some serious flaws in the logic of these claims about Cheng Er.

There's never any source for these rumors. They seem to bubble up lazily from the bloated underbelly of the internet, expelled like so much hot air from a posterior region. Nothing trackable or verifiable, just a 'vibe'.

Cheng Er's sets are some of the most locked down, private, impervious sets in the entire industry. It can rarely be verified where or even if filming took place, let alone what might have happened on set. The idea that somehow magically these stories emerged... it's just not credible at all.

These rumors directly contradict everything we know about Cheng Er's reputation as a director, and everything that the actors he's worked with - including DD - have said about him.

Tony Leung is a highly celebrated legendary actor who has worked with some of the greatest directors in the industry, and he could take his pick of almost anyone on the planet to work with. He will only work with directors based on how he feels around them. He needs to feel safe, he needs to feel a sense of trust.

He chose to work with Cheng Er.

He's also one of the most introverted, reticent celebrities out there, yet when asked about what it was like to work with Cheng Er he had a lot of positive things to say about the experience. He said he enjoyed the professionalism of the cast and crew, he appreciated the quality of Cheng Er's work and his calm, quiet manner, and he found the collaboration, "very enjoyable and pleasant" and the filming process, "a very happy experience."

Most telling, he said, "I think this is just the beginning, and I hope to have the opportunity to work with the director again in the future."

Let me just say, if a talent like Tony Leung wants to work with you, if he appreciates the quality of your work, and especially if he wants to work with you a second time - you're absolutely doing something right.

Wang Chuanjun appeared in Cheng Er's film The Wasted Times in 2016, and chose to work with him a second time in Hidden Blade. In a Sina Finance interview he described working with Cheng Er warmly, and described the director's process as one that helped actors grow and improve.

"Ever since 'The Wasted Times,' I've felt that this kind of creative process is really helpful for me, and after so many years, getting another chance to refine things makes me feel really, really lucky."

"During the process, everyone keeps going through pain, then trying again, and then seeing themselves improve bit by bit, and going back to sleep feeling really happy and satisfied. The next day, you go through the same thing all over again.

"Every day you grow a little bit, just a little bit. When I talked to Yibo about this, he said the same thing. He said filming 'Hidden Blade' was very typical. The process was really painful, but every day after it was over, thinking back made him feel so happy."

Despite the fact that Cheng Er has only released a handful of films, he's been able to attract top talent. That reflects the reputation of a well-respected director who artists want to work with.

Cheng Er's approach

Cheng Er isn't just a filmmaker, he's an artist. He writes, directs and even edits his own work, and is very meticulous about every aspect of his films, including casting.

And before people accuse him of being a control freak or of micro-managing, let me add that this is the approach of a creator who is expressing an artistic vision through a particular voice. Much like other 'auteur' (as much as I hate that word) directors such as the Coen Brothers or Wong Kar Wai, he has a specific vision that he is trying to bring to life.

It's for this reason that he will film the same scene over and over again - to capture the perfect moments, and to give himself options during editing. It's why he is so 'method' in some of his approach, wanting actors to be fully immersed and in the right headspace. It's why he maintains such a quiet and protective set.

Even when marking a scene or calling cut, he does it quietly and calmly after waiting a few beats, to ensure that he's not pressuring or startling the actors, or breaking the mood.

Cheng Er's entire philosophy as a director is about immersing the performers in the era, mood and scene, and about protecting that immersion and giving them the space and freedom to embody a performance. As he said in an interview,

"I try to let actors perform in a relaxed state. I never directly tell them how to act or move. I like to first see how the actors think and feel, and how they deliver their lines and interpret the role, and then make adjustments. I try my best to create a calm environment that's easy for everyone to focus in."

He also deliberately creates a quiet set with minimal crew present during filming to ensure the atmosphere is safe for the performers. As he said in a Sohu interview:

"Because actors are different from other crew members, the profession requires them to directly contribute their bodies and facial features. On set, their emotions are the most vulnerable and most in need of attention and protection."

"I feel that throughout the entire filming period, eighty percent of all my work was about maintaining and protecting the emotions of every actor."

Does this sound like a monstrous taskmaster to you?

The role of personality

As an autistic person with a flat affect (I don't tend to have a lot of facial expressions), I often feel a certain protectiveness toward people like Cheng Er (and DD), who have a similar affect and tend to be misunderstood as a result.

One thing that's always said about Cheng Er is that he's quiet, thoughtful, meticulous, and careful with his words. Tony Leung described him as being 'very polite, with the manners of a scholar'.

People who are like this - who are very task/ideas-focused and calm and who don't engage in a lot of performative social pleasantness - frequently get penalized for it, and cast as 'unfriendly', 'angry', 'intimidating' or even 'harsh' no matter how genuinely happy, open-hearted or well-wishing they may be*.

*Ask me how I know! 😑

People who are more relationship-focused and extroverted, and who present themselves as aggressively friendly, charming, and comedic tend to undergo much less social scrutiny and criticism.

Don't take my word for it

You've heard a fair bit about Cheng Er here, and about why I don't think he's a cruel man or an abusive director, but don't take my word for it - take a look at what DD himself has said:

About Cheng Er's direction:

He told me what needed to be done, how to complete it, what kind of acting to draw from, and which direction was more accurate. The director always explained everything very clearly. The director truly respects every staff member, respects his own work, and respects the film. Then there's care. I think the director's protection and concern for actors is something I've never seen before. He cares deeply about the actors' feelings, helping them calm down and prepare their emotions without any distractions. There's no need to worry about whether everyone is still waiting for me to prepare. That's the kind of environment the set is. (source)

About Cheng Er's influence:

I think Director Cheng Er gave me a good start. He asked me not to "act" but to subtract. In fact, I am very grateful to the director for cultivating such a good habit in me. (source)

I said at the (Golden Rooster Award) nomination and commendation ceremony that I was very grateful to the director for helping me with the film, but I might have been a little nervous on stage at that time. In fact, what I wanted to say was that it was not just in "Hidden Blade", but it also helps me a lot outside the theater, whether it's the aesthetics of movies, music, or art. He told me that if you see too many good things, you will know what is bad. (source)

👨: My understanding is that in addition to the cooperative relationship between director and actor, Director Cheng Er also has a kind of appreciation and support for you. WYB: Well, yes, it can be understood that the director is teaching me like a teacher, he is my mentor and helpful friend. (source)

"I think the director's protection and concern for actors is something I've never seen before" and "he is my mentor and helpful friend."

I believe DD over a bunch of fans who weren't in the room and have no direct knowledge of what DD's experience has been with Cheng Er.

Being a fan isn't always easy

One thing I can say about celebrity fandom is, take everything extreme that you hear with a huge grain of salt. I'm not saying that bad things don't ever happen (c-ent can be scary!😥), but I urge people to evaluate things rationally and not get carried away by wild tales. It's worthwhile to instead carefully examine and evaluate the evidence, think critically, and engage in intellectual self-defense.

Fans can be... (I typed and deleted so many times here lol)... they can be unreasonable, excessive, overly emotional, irrational, and quick to jump to conclusions. It's just the truth. I'm not saying that to be a dick, nor am I claiming to be free from these faults myself, it's just...

Too much in fandom seems to be the product of:

exaggerated or heavily biased story (often manipulatively framed by external forces in order to instigate fans)

+ vague yet tantalizing rumors

+ rabid overprotectiveness

+ obsessive devotion

+ highly emotional overinterpretation

+ in-group social contagion/solidarity stoking things higher

= extreme behavior, slanderous narratives, and single-minded reactions that are vastly disproportionate to what might have actually happened, or to any possible 'harm' that might have been done.

It's something I've often found frustrating about fandom. Fans often show little restraint, and it can be very difficult to have a rational, measured discussion about a topic once it's caught fire.

Thankfully the Cheng Er claims haven't reached that point (at least, not yet - let's hope it never does), but it frustrates me to see so many people show such an eagerness to attack and malign the close colleagues of their favorite celebrity.

I've seen similar with the hate fans have always had for YH and Du Hua.

DD (rightfully) inspires a lot of love and devotion in people. He's truly special, and he has so many qualities that endear him to people who love him. He's clever, he's goofy, he's forthright, he's just so damn good 🥲. And he is inspiring. He never gives up. He's easy to cheer for.

It's true that at times he's been badly mistreated and underestimated by the industry and by haters. I won't even repeat most of what's said about him. It should die on the lips of those who speak it.

His history is often held against him, as someone who didn't take the 'acceptable' path of getting a degree from a reputable university, or of kissing the right rings, etc., and there are people who frankly can't stand to see him earn status and respect, exhibit real talent and skill, or be as successful as he is, because it challenges their (ironically incredibly small-minded, unintelligent) bigotry.

People capitalize on this bigotry to try to take him down, and he deals with a tremendous amount of abuse/cyberbullying - and always has.

But most of that abuse comes from shrimps fans of other artists who have devoted their lives to attacking DD and to being heinous creeps rather than dedicating themselves to being good people with morally and intellectually consistent perspectives, who live the values they claim to hold.

In the industry DD has actually got a lot of backing and support, and YH - despite all the hate it gets - has been a powerful ally to him. He has won over many influential people in the industry as well - just through his own personality, sweetness and good works.

In other words, he's not as much of an underdog as a lot of fans seem to think. There's no need to constantly paint him as a victim who needs protection. We should all know DD enough by now to know he'd absolutely hate that kind of thing.

The real evidence

DD is at the level in his career/life where he has a hell of a lot of control over his choices and over the direction he takes.

Fans should take a close look at those choices and learn from them.

DD renewed with YH not once, but twice. DD worked a second time with Cheng Er, travelled extensively with him scouting locations for Mermaid, included him very prominently in his Exploring the Unknown series, did Hidden Blade road shows and promotional events for Hidden Blade with Cheng Er where it was blatantly obvious they have a very close, powerful relationship of mutual trust and respect.

People who think there's any credibility at all to claims of abuse from Du Hua, or from Cheng Er, or from Rocco Lui, or from Da Peng - or from anyone else in his career or life (is there ANY project he's been a part of where fans haven't cooked up this kind of anti narrative toward everyone involved?) - do not need to investigate scandalous rumors, do not need to dig into the person's history or background, do not need to follow melons.

GQ MOTY 2022 - DD with Rocco Lui and Cheng Er (he really surrounds himself with 'monsters').

All they need to do is look at DD, see his behavior toward those people, see who he chooses to work with, who he ties his projects and life to, who he clearly trusts, and the truth will become abundantly clear.

DD is a no-bullshit guy. He calls the shots in his life - he's worked really hard to get to a place where he can do that. He knows what he wants, he knows who he likes, and he does what is best for him.

I trust him to manage his life, his career, his projects and his associations. If he's working extremely closely with someone, there is - in my mind - absolutely zero chance that the person is abusive or exploitative toward him.

End of story.

A final note

I said this back when the whole Golden Rooster nomination controversy was swirling in the fandom and I'm going to say it again now:

"A rising tide lifts all boats."

It's in DD's best interests that the people and projects he is connected to are respected, championed and supported by fans! This should be self-evident.

Fans should be exceptionally cautious about rumors, especially ones that would tend to turn them against someone or something that DD is connected to. Often that's precisely what these scandals are crafted to do. Fan behavior can harm or even kill the future of a project.

Mermaid is a highly anticipated project, one that is going to get a lot of attention, and which is likely to bring DD to even higher levels of respect in the industry.

I do not think it's an accident at all that it has been surrounded by negative stories from the very start.

C-ent can be a very cutthroat industry, and top talent is constantly under attack, their projects are under attack, their associates are under attack. And there is no cheaper, easier, more readily accessible weapon than overprotective fans with something to prove.

I've seen this time and time and time again.

Refuse to be instigated! Refuse to believe unsubstantiated rumors! Refuse to turn against DD's projects and colleagues!!

Or everyone can do what they want, but this is my perspective on things.

Related posts:

2020

"Every day, you are making rapid progress; every time you appear, you are new and bright. You have multiple identities, but you are also the purest you."

2021

"The extreme speed of growth may come from breaking and re-shaping again and again."

"No one has made a rule that you need to be the most powerful person."

"All along, you just need to become a better version of yourself, and this better version of yourself is defined by you."'

2023

"You’ve gradually learned to relax and face the world more and more gently. You are willing to look at the stars as you travel to the next schedule, willing to watch a downpour in the afternoon, willing to quietly gaze at the distant horizon, and willing to stop for a beautiful sunset."

"Time does not have a pause button, but you seem to have mastered the password for the occasional pause of the world."

"Yibo, the sunset is very beautiful, just like every evening when you were focused on moving forward and didn’t take the time to appreciate it."

2024

"The world is unpredictable, and you can also calmly accept every sudden rainstorm, just like appreciating every nameless flower blooming along the way, accepting imperfections, and allowing regrets."

2025 (This one is especially emotional for me because I was already a turtle 🥹)

"You’ve grown accustomed to pausing during the climb, gazing at the sky and the shifting clouds, feeling the mountain breeze brush past, the sudden rain soaking your clothes, the stars unfolding like a curtain. In these moments, you fill the gaps of life with pure joy."

"You still carry a clumsy kind of romance, transforming the dust and morning dew into beams of light in your images, hotter than anything else."

"Yibo, beyond every peak there is another higher peak. There’s no need to worry about what lies beyond them. Just do what you wish, as the timing is just right now."

"Your world, dear Yibo, is infinite."

---

"At times like this, I often want to talk about aspirations and the future, but I decide against it; it seems you have already found the optimal path for your twenty-ninth year."

OMG, this part says so much about the ~mysterious author~ of the letters -- how they're confirming that they're the same person who's been writing them from the very beginning, and how much they admire WYB and feel that he's already matured and found a better balance in his life. SO HEARTWARMING!!!! 🥹❤️

---

"...just remember to sleep soundly." 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Thank you for the goodnight you gave me.

THE FIRST PART, starting it off with the mention of the heat and summer, which of course fits the weather that is, but for us and for them it means so much more.

Although the August heat can be difficult to endure, everyone is filled with anticipation, having long regarded today as the most passionate beginning of the year.

I just think that for XZ, when he thinks of summer, it’s so tied to WYB and that summer together when they filmed CQL. Something that is difficult to endure, but was a good memory. and now, a start of something, like for his bday, it’s the start of the new year.

The writer then goes on to define what 29 means in the next paragraphs, “缓冲, 冲刺 and 平衡” first is Recalibration.

Recalibration is not stagnation, it’s about readjusting your course. To be surrounded by everything in this world without losing sight of yourself.

i love this because it is so true. it is what we all admire about WYB, how he stays true to himself even if it makes other people uncomfortable. he has fought so hard to live a life that will give him some sense of peace. i like how the writer validates this, likening it to champagne ( he drinks this in the podium when they win ) that leaves a lingering taste. that’s what he needs. something that will last. i think this year is important, the last year of his 20s, so there is nothing wrong to recalibrate in this new stage.

the next is ACCELERATION. or Sprint.

Acceleration is not about conquering, but it’s about the choices you make while riding the momentum. The scenery changes, but your heart remains unchanged.

The scenery, you are the most beautiful scenery 🥹🥹🥹 that’s all I can think about it. no matter what, his heart is the same. and i feel like this is a clue for his personality, as well as how he loves people. whether a friend or a significant other. he remains unchanged, if he loves you, it will be forever.

and last is BALANCE.

Balance is not about having everything all at once, but about calmly opening your hands and steadily catching yourself amid all that remains uncertain.

The way this is written, it’s so XZ. if you have read enough essays and posts from him, he loves to say something and describe to you how that’s gonna be like in real life. To explain it you in a more realistic, even dramatic/poetic way.

No matter how 29 is defined, it is a year that belongs entirely to you. Every attempt is worthwhile, and even choosing to let go is all right. Just remember to always rest well and sleep peacefully. May you have peace, may you have passion, and may you always have endless possibilities.

the message that it is okay to let go sometimes or to slow down. cpfs are reminded of that LRLG conversation where XZ said: “you can try, but don’t take it too seriously or overexert yourself.” ; it is a similar message. XZ is always there to remind him that it’s okay to pause.

and in true XZ fashion, he equates sleep with peace. like in the lyrics of Us, ( in a world without lies, will we sleep more soundly? 🎶🎵) he connects sleeping well to an almost perfect world where there is no deception. so in this way, no matter what happens, what is important is sleep/rest because that is where he can find peace. the theme of sleep, and in this sense, “goodnight” has always been romantic. it’s so obvious too, for those who pay attention that xz posts almost always start with talking about the weather ends with goodnight/rest.

At 29, the wind will still come from all directions, and mountains will still need to be climbed one step at a time. So there is no need to wait for calm seas, nor fear the peaks and valleys ahead. Set off, whether slowly or quickly, whether you go straight ahead or take a turn, right now is already the best moment.

just recalling XZ’s 29th bday post, it has the same feeling/message. he knows what it’s like to be that age, that final year before crossing over to your 30s.

i’m like so 👁️👄👁️ so right now!

happy birthday WYB! 🎂🎂🎂 till the next birthday letter!!!

2020: May you grow freely like the wind.

2021: Everything is cool, grow up slowly.

2023: Yibo, the sunset is beautiful, just like every evening you didn't have time to appreciate before, because you were so focused on moving forward.

2024: Accept imperfections, allow for regrets, the mountains are high and the seas are vast, please boldly move forward.

2025: Your world is infinitely large.

2026: Trying is worthwhile, giving up is also acceptable, remember to sleep soundly.

banner source

Yan Chuang’s Weibo post, which made indirect accusations without naming anyone, stirred up controversy both inside and outside the China GT paddock. He complained that the participation of “a certain celebrity” had resulted in stricter credential checks, preventing family members from entering, limiting access for mechanics, and even preventing physiotherapists from receiving credentials. He also emphasized that he had previously gotten along well with celebrity drivers such as Aaron Kwok, Daniel Wu, and Han Dongjun, implying that this particular celebrity was receiving special treatment and acting entitled. He further claimed that the new audience brought in by the celebrity consisted of “fake fans who don’t know how to watch racing.” Although he did not name anyone directly, his remark that this person had “ruined the motorcycle racing circle” was seen by many netizens as clearly pointing toward Wang Yibo, who was participating in the event. Such a strongly emotional statement, especially one that dragged a major celebrity into the discussion, naturally triggered significant online debate. In response, netizens began digging into Yan Chuang’s past, bringing up various controversies surrounding him. In 2017, during a track test drive, he struck and killed a colleague who was working as a photographer. He was criminally detained on suspicion of causing death through negligence. Other controversies were also resurfaced, including accusations that he had attacked multiple automobile companies online, fueled online conflicts, and was involved in an incident where a female employee was photographed being humiliated while tied to a wall. As a result, what began as Yan Chuang criticizing event management shifted into widespread scrutiny of his past conduct and statements. Looking at the sequence of events, tighter race venue management is actually a reasonable response. After Wang Yibo joined the competition, a single China GT event attracted more than 45,000 spectators, bringing a large amount of attention to what had previously been a relatively niche racing environment. Celebrity participation brought commercial resources and greater public exposure. With a surge in attendance, upgraded security measures were an entirely normal response. Stricter credential checks and reduced access quotas were fundamentally about ensuring everyone’s safety, not about giving anyone special treatment. Many professional drivers and event officials have spoken positively about the value of expanding racing’s audience, while prominent automotive influencers have also acknowledged that celebrity involvement has brought strong momentum to motorsport’s popularization and commercialization, helping a niche sport reach a wider public. By contrast, Yan Chuang’s complaints mainly concerned his own family members and mechanics being unable to obtain free access credentials, revealing what critics saw as personal interest and bias. For a long time, China’s motorsport community operated within a relatively closed circle, where informal favors and relaxed procedures had become accepted practices. When broader public attention entered the scene and disrupted those privileges, some individuals who lost personal convenience became resentful and blamed the celebrity participant. Critics argue that this was not genuine concern for the event, but rather an unwillingness to accept a more transparent, public-facing, and standardized system. Racing venues should welcome professional criticism, but complaints driven by personal grievances and resistance to broader accessibility should be rejected.