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@dylanstan1220
Dylan Wang x GQ China May 2026 Cover Feature
via GQLab, 14 May 2026
Your Best Bro Wang Hedi
Dylan Wang is the quintessential high-energy operator. It means there is no real downtime in his day: filming, basketball, meals, gaming, listening to demos, chatting, and fitting in a few pages of English vocabulary on the side. More often than not, he is on set by six in the morning and wraps at six in the evening, only to change clothes and head straight into another two hours on the court. Somehow, all of it is compressed into the same twenty-four hours. There is a vibrant, irrepressible vitality about him. In his presence, people are instinctively drawn in, gathering around him almost without realising it.
Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to share a plate of fish-fragrant shredded pork with Dylan Wang?
Midway through the shoot, someone leaned in to say something to Dylan Wang.
'That’s insane!' he suddenly exclaimed, his voice ringing across the entire set.
The news they had brought him was a freshly delivered NBA game update: the Los Angeles Lakers were down three against the Houston Rockets in the closing seconds, when LeBron James drained a game-tying three to force overtime. Everyone on set who followed basketball was deep in discussion about his performance.
We asked Dylan what he thought.
'For a 41-year-old veteran, that was more than fierce enough,' he said, punctuating the remark with an imaginary crown-placement gesture in the air. 'If they make it past the first round, that’s basically a championship already.'
The line set off a ripple of laughter from those around him.
From a distance, Dylan seems to be enveloped by a peculiar gravitational field, drawing friends and staff effortlessly into his orbit. It is almost impossible to tell which are which.
Jacket: Polo Ralph Lauren; top: Number (N)ine; ring: Budahood
But if you really want to see the pull of that gravitational force clearly, the best place is the basketball court.
In Hengdian, there is a well-known basketball 'middleman' nicknamed Xiao Si, the manager of a local court. Dylan Wang first started playing there while filming Unchained Love, and that was how the two met. Five years on, they have become thoroughly familiar with one another. In Dylan’s eyes, Xiao Si is 'the sort who looks unreliable, but is actually very dependable when it comes to organising games', someone who 'puts real thought into team selection and knows how to look after everyone'.
Xiao Si’s idea of looking after people means keeping the games relatively 'health-conscious': cardio-focused, with minimal aggressive physical contact.
Within games like these, Dylan is the undisputed centrepiece. In his own words, he is 'the thigh', basketball slang for the player everyone leans on. Which is to say: go one-on-one with him and you will get destroyed, but end up on the same team and you are almost guaranteed to win. Actor Wang Runze recalls that he first played basketball with Dylan six years ago, during the filming of Super Penguin League. Since then, both have spent years filming in Hengdian and have long since become regular teammates on the court.
Of course, even the strongest 'thigh' cannot score alone. Basketball, after all, is still a team sport.
Top: Number (N)ine; trousers: Zhang Dingyun; boots: Our Legacy; bracelet: Vintage; ring: Budahood
On the basketball court, Dylan Wang resembles a floor general more than anything else. He watches for whoever has the hot hand and feeds the ball their way more often; if someone has yet to settle into rhythm, he deliberately creates an open look to help them find their touch; if another player’s stamina is fading, he rotates early to cover the defensive gaps. By the end of the game, the score belongs to everyone, but the tempo has been his to command all along.
After basketball comes the inevitable second round: the dinner table. Hengdian has no shortage of good food, hotpot, barbecue, Zigong Yanbang cuisine, Northeastern dishes, even meticulously prepared diet meals. Lately, his favourite has been a serving of garlic pork slices from a Zigong restaurant, paper-thin cuts of meat coated in a punchy garlic sauce, fragrant, bright, and deeply satisfying.
At tables like these, there is no set agenda. Conversation drifts wherever it pleases: whose game was the worst that day, how someone managed to claw back a win in a video game, how filming went. Naturally, the food itself becomes part of the discussion too, which dish deserves another order, which one inevitably reappears on the table the next evening.
Jacket: Ala Tianan; trousers: Solid Homme
People from Sichuan and Chongqing are natural-born gourmands, and Dylan Wang is no exception.
While filming Wander Together, the Chongqing-style fish-fragrant shredded pork he recommended left a lasting impression. The wok must be flooded with oil and heated until searing hot, the pork strips flash-fried until golden before bamboo shoots, garlic shoots, and wood ear mushrooms are added in quick succession. Once the wok hei reaches its peak, the sauce is reduced over high heat. What sets the Chongqing version apart is the final spoonful of chilli oil and vinegar, giving the finished dish a vivid heat and crisp fragrance that leaves you drenched in sweat by the end of the meal.
Dylan’s verdict: 'It feels like doing cardio inside your mouth.'
Bring a bowl of rice and pull up a chair beside him, who wouldn’t want to animatedly dig into a plate of fish-fragrant shredded pork with Dylan Wang and call it cardio training?
Top: Peter Wu; trousers: Solid Homme; shorts: Louis Vuitton; bracelet: Vintage
To Love the Work You Do
Before filming Light to the Night, Dylan Wang had very little experience with grounded, realist dramas. At first, he admits, it all felt 'somewhat unfamiliar', so he had to gradually find the right emotional register and performance rhythm for the role.
In the series, he stars opposite Pan Yueming as a mentor-and-apprentice pair of criminal investigators with clashing temperaments and entirely different personalities. To properly inhabit the composed and restrained detective Ran Fangxu, Dylan consciously trained himself out of his habitual tendency to gesture while speaking. In Ran Fangxu, there is barely any obvious trace of Dylan himself.
Playing a police officer carries a certain childhood romanticism for many boys, and he is no exception. The types of characters Dylan gravitates towards have almost always contained a streak of heroism: as a child, it was Sun Wukong; later on, it became crime dramas.
When he first entered the industry, Dylan watched Day and Night and was deeply struck by Pan Yueming’s dual performance. 'I thought it was incredible. I really admired him.'
A few years later, the senior actor he once watched through a screen had unexpectedly become his mentor figure in Light to the Night. Even now, recounting it himself, Dylan still sounds slightly surprised by it.
Singlet: Comme des Garçons; trousers: Esoteric; belt: Our Legacy
In the drama, the mentor and apprentice sit across from one another eating noodles while discussing a case. Food scenes carry all kinds of unspoken implications. The mentor, who appears constantly at odds with his apprentice, casually passes him the coriander from his own bowl. Even the way they hold their chopsticks is almost identical, tilted at precisely the same angle, like mirrored reflections facing one another.
Off screen, that mentor-apprentice dynamic became real as well, only the classroom shifted from interrogation rooms to late-night supper tables.
The beginning of that 'late-night supper friendship' was a bottle of alcohol.
During filming, Dylan Wang and Pan Yueming lived on different floors of the same building. Dylan would often bring late-night snacks upstairs to chat with Pan Yueming, discussing pacing, performance choices, and their understanding of the characters.
One day, Pan Yueming gifted him a bottle of alcohol. Unsure what to pair it with, Dylan figured drinking called for sashimi, so he bought some salmon and headed upstairs again to talk through scenes together. After that meal, Pan Yueming somehow came away with the impression that Dylan loved sashimi, and from then on, sashimi became a regular fixture at their late-night gatherings. In turn, this left Dylan convinced that Pan Yueming was the real sashimi enthusiast.
And so, each believing the other genuinely enjoyed it, the two continued ordering sashimi whenever they met, politely enduring it for quite some time while subtly masking their discomfort. Eventually, one day, both finally reached their limit. They looked at each other in bewilderment and discovered the truth: between the two of them, not a single person actually liked sashimi all that much.
Singlet: Comme des Garçons; trousers: Esoteric; belt: Our Legacy
In Dylan Wang’s eyes, Pan Yueming is 'very understated, like an adorable panda'. Yet even someone with such a calm disposition gradually revealed a far more playful side under Dylan’s influence. Dylan has a song titled Seaside Tango, and whenever it comes on during breaks or gatherings, Pan Yueming unfailingly sings along when the chorus reaches 'Yeah, it's okay'.
Beyond acting, music makes up the other half of Dylan’s world. Here, he does not have to be anyone’s apprentice, nor anyone’s senior. He is simply another friend who enjoys being part of the noise and excitement.
Jacket: Polo Ralph Lauren; top: Number (N)ine; trousers: Zhang Dingyun; slippers: Vetements; sunglasses: Louis Vuitton; ring: Budahood
Whenever he is with his rapper friends, the gathering place changes depending on the city. In Beijing, they book a recording studio, better acoustics than karaoke, more satisfying to sing in. In Chongqing, whoever happens to be free heads straight to someone else’s studio. Whether a new track has officially dropped or exists only as a rough demo with a handful of lines, someone immediately plugs in the equipment and plays it aloud for everyone.
Dylan’s new single Elegant came with what he calls a 'massive-scale production' music video, filmed over fourteen straight hours in a single day. The final result is dazzling, the set design evoking something out of Now You See Me. At gatherings, he could hardly wait to cast it onto the screen for all his friends to watch together.
At the Macau stop of his D.Party Macau concert this January, the entire brotherhood turned up to support him. Rap artists GAI, Wang Qiming, PUSHA and several other friends appeared as guest performers, making for a formidable line-up. The moment GAI arrived, Dylan immediately pulled him into four or five songs in a row. When the Sichuan-Chongqing rap classic Chao Tian Men began playing, the entire venue erupted, and both performers became visibly emotional.
Even now, recalling that moment, Dylan still smiles. 'Huge thanks to Brother GAI for delivering a million-dollar-level performance.'
After a brief pause, he added with a laugh, 'Though I’m also pretty good at getting him to open his mouth to sing.'
All clothing and footwear by Louis Vuitton
Let's Head Towards the Distance Together
Amid the constant orbit of friends around him, Dylan Wang often reveals a far gentler and more attentive side beneath the swagger associated with rap culture.
Actor Wang Duo, who worked with Dylan on Per Aspera Ad Astra and Live Long and Prosper, describes him as someone who is 'rough around the edges, but meticulous underneath'. On the surface, he appears carefree and uninhibited, yet he is always quietly paying attention to whoever has been left on the sidelines. Wang Duo is naturally slow to warm up socially and tends to hold back on variety programmes, but Dylan invariably notices, drawing him back into the flow whenever he risks fading into the background.
Year-end gala events are crowded, brightly lit, and tightly choreographed. Wang Runze rarely attends occasions like that and found himself somewhat overwhelmed. Somehow, Dylan noticed him almost immediately, weaving through the cluster of guests to stand beside him and strike up a conversation, making him feel 'far less awkward and out of place'.
All clothing, underwear, footwear, and sunglasses by Louis Vuitton
During the shoot, both Wang Duo and Wang Runze dropped by the set. Also making an appearance was Donnie, Dylan Wang’s self-proclaimed 'godson'.
Donnie belongs to one of Dylan’s close friends in Hangzhou, and was named after Robert Downey Jr., the actor behind Iron Man. The first time Dylan met the dog, it was barely two months old. Five months later, Donnie already weighs around 35 kg, and expresses affection with overwhelming force, tugging Dylan across entire rooms whenever it gets excited.
Whenever work brings Dylan to Jiangsu or Zhejiang, he makes time to reunite with the dog. Either he goes to visit Donnie himself, or Donnie arrives freshly bathed and fully 'styled' to visit the set. Their closeness exceeds what most people would expect. The leash, the dog food, even the electric scooter, all were gifts from Dylan.
Between one work commitment and the next, maintaining a relationship untouched by professional obligations can feel unexpectedly difficult. Yet Dylan always makes the effort to show up.
Vest and shorts by Marrknull; boots: Undercover; belt: Ala Tianan; necklace: Louis Vuitton; sunglasses: Gentle Monster
Four years ago, Dylan Wang, Wang Chuanjun and Wu Dajing appeared together on Wonderland (Taohuawu). In one behind-the-scenes clip, the three attempt to assemble a basketball hoop together.
What should have been a straightforward task, read the instructions, match the parts, tighten the screws, rapidly descended into chaos. Wang Chuanjun ignored the manual entirely and started assembling things by instinct. Wu Dajing and Dylan followed along beside him, yet somehow not a single part lined up properly. The three of them circled the hoop in mounting confusion, installing sections backwards, dismantling them again, swapping directions, drifting further and further off course until nobody could even tell which step had originally come first. One mishap after another left the trio collapsing into laughter.
As filming continued, the bond between them only deepened, to the point where viewers eventually nicknamed them the 'Three Fools of Wonderland'.
That friendship extended far beyond the programme itself, lasting right through to today, four years after the show ended.
Back during Wonderland, they had made a promise: when Wu Dajing eventually retired, Dylan and Wang Chuanjun would go together to 'pick him up from work'. On 6 January this year, Wu Dajing officially announced his retirement, and the old promise was genuinely fulfilled. Wang Chuanjun appeared in person before him, while Dylan joined through a live video call on the phone. The 'Three Fools' had come to honour their appointment, even with one absent in person.
Base layer top and hoodie by Near4rest; necklace: Budahood
Over the past four years, the three of them have rarely managed to reunite offline at the same time. More often, meetings happened in pairs. Speaking about the friendship, Dylan Wang’s tone carries a trace of melancholy: 'After enough time passes, you stop deliberately wondering whether you’ll ever all reunite again.'
Yet while filming The Inn 2026 earlier this year, Wang Chuanjun and Wu Dajing travelled overnight to the inn. The long-awaited reunion of the three in one frame came as an enormous surprise to Dylan. Once again, they ended up sleeping side by side on a giant communal bed, playing rock-paper-scissors to decide who had to get up and turn off the lights.
Dylan said the feeling was like being transported back to the golden days of Wonderland, a kind of 'happiness regained after having lost it'.
Dylan is especially fond of Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece. During Wonderland, when the cast were asked to choose someone for an imagined conversation across time and space, he chose Luffy.
'I hope that on my own voyage, I can become someone like you...'
Then, shouting into the microphone, he declared:
'Forever hot-blooded. Forever sincere. Forever passionate.'
And in many moments, he truly does call Luffy to mind, that infectious momentum that makes people want to set out along with him, eager for the next meeting, hoping to become his friend, his companion, someone allowed to remain aboard his ship for the journey.
Base layer top and hoodie by Near4rest; necklace: Budahood
Photography: Ma Hailun
Creative Direction & Supervision: Boh. Project
Styling: Eagle, Bale @ Teameagle
Artist Coordination: Yoyo Wang
Written by: Xiao Aozi
Editorial Planning: Zhu Xu
Special Appearances: Wang Duo, Wang Runze
Art Direction: Oolong
Make-up & Hair: MATT (Dylan Wang)
Production: IT'S FINE PRODUCTIONS
Hair: Chen Rong @ Salsa Studio (Wang Duo, Wang Runze)
Make-up: Sisi (Wang Duo, Wang Runze)
Lighting: Yan Qinglong
Lighting Assistants: Zhang Yilong, Chen Fei
Art Assistants: Cai Peijian, He Weiwei, Jin Jin
Styling Assistants: Xiaowan, Yrral, Xigua
Location Support: 暮色深处, Hangzhou
WeChat Visuals: aube
Technical Support: 交互实验室
[ENG SUB] Dylan Wang VDO Vlog: NBA China Celebrity Game in Chengdu
Dylan Wang x Bose Campaign - Behind the Scenes
[ENG SUB] Dylan Wang × Tencent Video • Chengdu Interview • Basketball Talk + Sichuan Dialect Rapid-Fire Q&A
Journey of Song Qianji - 'Live Long and Prosper' Behind the Scenes Video via Dylan Wang Studio
[ENG SUB] Live Long and Prosper Wrap Feature • Dylan Wang | Wang Hedi 2025
Dylan Wang for Bose
[ENG SUB] Dylan Wang introducing AMap Street Stars (Gaode Maps - Alibaba Group)
[ENG SUB CC] Dylan Wang presents the 2025 Autumn/Winter BOLON Optical Collection
[Official Multi Sub] Light to the Night: Mentor & Apprentice Trailer
When a laid-back veteran cop pairs with a hyper-competitive rookie, the mentor-apprentice duo sparks off in a playful clash; blending streetwise experience with academic theory, their investigative synergy grows. Tracing clues through the mysterious building, unraveling threads, they await the dawn of truth.
Dylan Wang's Youthful Universe
Elle China September 2025 Issue
The many possibilities of Dylan Wang are growing—wildly, untamed. A good boy, quietly immersed in a warm-toned study; a bad boy, fiercely proclaiming himself in a stark, cool-toned workshop. The lens splits these two realities, only to reveal different facets of the same self.
From the fantasy world of 'Live Long and Prosper', to the crime drama 'Light to the Night', to the inward path of self-discovery, he shifts personas yet never loses the vivid spirit of youth.
As he himself says: growth is simply embarking on a grand voyage across countless universes with the pristine heart of a child."
A few years ago, when interviewing Wang Hedi, we discussed Love Between Fairy and Devil, Unchained Love, and Only for Love. Under the bright lights of the makeup room, he explained that he would mark the key scenes in the script, highlighting the important points. From the first read of the script to the table reads, these scenes weighed on him, both a source of pressure and a puzzle to solve. Every scene leading up to the pivotal moment acted as a preparatory step in unlocking it.
During this interview, Wang Hedi was already on the set of Live Long and Prosper. Over the phone, he spoke nonstop about Song Qianji's journey in xianxia cultivation and his character traits, as if introducing a close friend. His tone carried admiration, pride, and the confident sense of saying, "I know you inside out, lad."
He then recounted playing basketball during the filming of Light to the Night. The sun setting, the southern climate, the retro basketball court, colleagues playing during meal breaks, and the scattered laughter across the court; all of it blurred the line between reality and the unscripted life of Officer Ran Fang.
In these conversations about his roles, Wang Hedi displays genuine affection for every character he has portrayed. At times, he even muses that, if he could truly traverse worlds, becoming Xu Qian’an or Song Qianji would be equally appealing. The thrilling worlds of xianxia fantasy or the exhilarating arcs of a heroic protagonist are certainly alluring, yet it is the characters' growth and values that evoke in him a profound sense of kinship.
Filming is just past the halfway point, and Wang Hedi is already fully immersed in Song Qianji’s xianxia world. Looking ahead, there are still many challenges to overcome alongside his cast and crew. His mindset blends a touch of nervous anticipation for the unknown, a spark of eager excitement, and a growing sense of confident assurance.
Like a youth on the verge of conquest, Wang Hedi, through his own telling, wanders fluidly between different universes.
#01 Xianxia Universe: The Ascending 'Salted Fish'
Right now, I'm on the set of Live Long and Prosper, still living as Song Qianji. He's quite a distinctive character, unlike those I’ve played before with clear mission lines and defined goals, he embodies a laid-back, "couch potato" spirit. Yet within this world, he's never truly able to stay idle. Add to that the twist of the character having the experience of two lifetimes, and you get a character riddled with contradictions, leaps, and richness.
In the story, Song Qianji traverses past and present lives, but in filming, we follow the practical schedule of scenes, which makes shooting sequentially almost impossible. Storylines are constantly interwoven as we film. At its most extreme, I once changed into three wigs and three looks in a single day, each representing a different stage in the character's journey.
In his first lifetime, Song Qianji is competitive, grasping, even self-assured to the point of arrogance, embodying the mindset of a relentless contender. By the second lifetime, however, everything shifts. He is like a higher-dimensional being in a lower-dimensional world, approaching friends and foes alike with calm detachment, as if observing everything from a godlike perspective.
This sense of effortless triumph differs from conventional heroic tales. Often, I am simply handling matters with calm normalcy, without the need to flaunt ability, yet to others it appears formidable. While most disciples labour within their ethereal sects, endlessly cultivating, honing techniques, or battling their way upward, Song Qianji reclines in his modest courtyard, content with a bowl of noodles. This contrast adds a sense of everyday life and authenticity, a relaxed ease where problems seem to resolve themselves almost effortlessly.
You might have seen the scene where Song Qianji is battle-worn, revisiting his former sect after leaving it. I discussed the creative approach with the director at length, debating whether the character should appear more unhinged or remain calm, whether the choreography could include some tangible exchanges beyond wire work, and how the visual effects should be presented.
Filming this scene took over a week of late-night shoots. It was exhausting, but also one of the most thrilling scenes I have filmed recently. Not only does it mark a pivotal moment in the character’s growth, the dialogue perfectly conveys his mindset and core essence, but from costume and makeup to set design, the atmosphere was so strong that the deep crimson glow under the night lights instantly captured the intended effect.
Our crew will soon head to Xinjiang for location shooting. I have filmed there twice before, once for Ever Night 2 and once for Guardians of the Dafeng. I genuinely enjoy working in Xinjiang. The process can be challenging. The region is vast, transfers are long, and nature itself tests you, but performing in such an environment feels entirely different.
In a VFX studio, you stare at a blue screen, imagining the surrounding world and calculating spatial relationships with your co-actors. On location, the immersion is immediate and palpable. Xinjiang’s majestic landscapes are seldom seen elsewhere, and being surrounded by them truly feels like stepping straight into the world of Live Long and Prosper.
#02 Real Universe: Officer Xiao Ran
Looking back at last year filming the crime drama Light to the Night, it was a completely different universe. This was my first attempt at playing a police officer, a profession truly worthy of respect, requiring extensive skills and experience, and the work is very demanding. My character, Ran Fangxu, sometimes makes me feel protective; I wish he could have a bit more of a personal life, live more freely. But he truly dedicates every part of himself entirely to the cases he handles.
To portray Officer Ran more convincingly, before joining the set I watched numerous domestic crime dramas to absorb the tone and style of similar works in order to get into character in advance. For example, The Lonely Warrior and Hu Jun’s Frozen Surface. Similar to these shows, Light to the Night spans a long period, beginning in the 1990s. I was very young then, with limited experience or understanding, so during filming I would immerse myself in my parents' generation, imagining my own parents working in a factory and drawing from that perspective.
In a realism-driven drama, the performance must be closer to everyday life, requiring meticulous attention to subtlety. You cannot completely stop acting, but you must avoid overacting. In xianxia productions, emotions often reach extremes such as poisoning, injury, confronting destiny, or facing life and death, but in a realistic drama, the focus is on daily life and genuine human interaction. A single shared meal can convey emotional growth or advance the plot.
These scenes demand proximity to real life. In a xianxia world, how a character eats can be flexible because no one knows how an immortal cultivator dines. But if Officer Ran is visiting his mentor’s home for a meal, viewers can instantly detect whether the acting feels natural and authentic. Every gesture and nuance requires careful observation of reality.
In the drama, Officer Ran’s mentor is He Yuanhang, and off-screen I also call Mr. Pan Yueming my mentor. While filming, he lived just above me, and after wrapping for the day I often went upstairs to have a late-night snack with him, discussing characters, the creative process, and life. He is not the didactic type and never teaches others with an agenda, but the closeness and mutual understanding from our daily interactions naturally translated into the scenes, shaping the dynamic between Officer Ran and Old He.
Sometimes we also talked about sports. I am a basketball fan, while Mr. Pan prefers football. One day, however, he was drawn in and we finally convinced him to join us for a game of basketball.
We were filming in a police precinct, and behind it there was a particularly retro-looking basketball court. During the short dinner break, a few of us, including the director, would head there to play. The evening light, the southern climate, and the laughter echoing across the cement court created a scene of pure happiness and serenity, reminiscent of playing on the concrete courts in my childhood neighbourhood.
Since the break was short, sometimes I would play wearing Officer Ran's costume to save time. Several colleagues playing other roles joined as well, making it feel as if everyone truly worked at the precinct and, after hours, went out to the court together. It gave the sense that these characters had lives beyond the screen.
#03 Self Universe: About Work, Only Happiness
One of my work highlights this year was returning to the NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity exhibition game. I have loved watching the NBA since I was a child and have always been drawn to it. The first time I went, it felt utterly surreal: Who am I? Where am I? Am I dreaming? This year I felt much more at ease and could truly enjoy the game itself.
For me, the NBA All-Star Weekend exhibition game is not about competition; it is more like a show designed to bring fun and relaxation. It felt like a 'peace and love' party. My teammates included rappers, DJs, actors, and athletes from other sports, and I was there as a Chinese actor, sharing the stage and connecting with everyone.
The first time I went to the NBA All-Star Weekend exhibition game two years ago, I played a practice match against Tyrese Haliburton. This year, I played against Jeremy Lin. What is it like playing with professional basketball players? It entirely depends on them. If they want you to feel the game, you can; if not, you barely get any game experience. Everyone was very considerate, letting me trade a few moves back and forth. But the gap between us and the professionals is immense, a gap that simply cannot be bridged.
The most memorable moment was interacting with Stephen Curry. I never expected to have so much contact and conversation with him. During our drama press junket, he even supported me, doing the signature move from Guardians of the Dafeng. On the first day, our interactions were work-related, but on the second day during the All-Star game, I saw him warming up on the sidelines. He came over very warmly to greet me, and that’s when I realised our connection went beyond work - we really got to know each other and could greet each other like friends. Sharing that experience with Curry truly made me so happy.
Lately, many people have been asking about the brand I started. The original vision was very simple from the start: to create a small friend circle where everyone can enjoy design elements and share happiness, encouraging confidence and positivity. Everyone can be their own designer, and feeling comfortable in what you wear and how you live is what matters most. I want to fully embrace the idea of spreading joy.
Regarding acting as a profession, I don't have many doubts. Different voices from the outside world inevitably affect my mood. Positive feedback naturally makes me happy, while criticism can bring emotional ups and downs. But isn’t that exactly the work this profession requires us to face? You always have to face and accept these opinions, and I have consistently approached them with a calm and balanced mindset.
This is also because I truly love my profession. Having a script, a stage, and so many people to collaborate with to bring ideas in your mind to life is a profoundly rewarding experience. Although the person the audience sees on screen is me, it is also the result of everyone's collective effort behind the scenes. From the director to the makeup artists, all the crew work together to realise a project and help me embody a role I love. I feel deeply grateful. The thought that I can continue doing this in the future fills me with joy.
#04 (Q&A Regarding This Youth)
ELLE: Can you share some of your "cringe" moments?
Wang Hedi: I once dislocated a finger. I thought maybe I could snap it back like Kobe and keep playing, but the pain almost knocked me out. In the end, I had to go to the hospital to have a doctor fix it, and I couldn’t play at all.
ELLE: What was your most recent "childish" moment?
Wang Hedi: Probably just goofing around with everyone on set.
ELLE: When was the last time something small really got under your skin?
Wang Hedi: Waking up at 4 a.m. for makeup. When I got to the makeup room, it was still pitch dark outside, and it felt like sneaking out in the middle of the night.
ELLE: Is there an anime or movie that still makes you cry?
Wang Hedi: I don’t really cry, but I get emotional. Like the cut of Iron Man snapping with the Infinity Gauntlet, or some iconic moments in One Piece: the Marineford War, Ace dying, Luffy trying to save his brother, everyone rushing to save Robin, and Zoro protecting everyone. One Piece has so many epic moments, most about friendship, and they really move me.
ELLE: Besides basketball and acting, when do you feel especially capable in life?
Wang Hedi: Giving red envelopes to my family at Lunar New Year, and carrying my teammates to victory in a game.
ELLE: When playing basketball or gaming, do you have a competitive streak?
Wang Hedi: Absolutely. Sometimes if I lose a game, it bothers me for a long time. I have to win the next one for the day to feel right.
ELLE: When do you feel most like a shonen manga protagonist?
Wang Hedi: Every time I stand in a VFX studio.
ELLE: What still gets you really fired up?
Wang Hedi: Quite a few things, basketball, gaming, and filming all get me fired up.
ELLE: Do you have a dream that you’re afraid to mention but haven’t given up on?
Wang Hedi: I’ve said what I need to say, because I’ve never been afraid of being laughed at.
Photography: Yu Cong
Styling: Gao Ding
Makeup: Bing Bing
Hair: Zhang Fan (BON)
Interview and Writing: Deng Xianxian
Editor: Jiawei
Design: Zhao Wei
Editorial Coordinator: Sissi Chen
Art Direction: Feng Ruihua
Executive Producer: Sunny (C·Side)
Photography Assistant: Zhang Jun
Wardrobe Coordinator: Huang Xin
Fashion Assistants: Ivy, Kira
Art Assistant: Wren
Studio Equipment Provided by: Beijing Shangde Daxiang
Our Dorm Season 1 Episode 7 bonus content, featuring Dylan's cut with English subtitles
[ENG SUB] Dylan Wang 'Guardians of the Dafeng' - In Character (入戏) Interview
[ENG SUB] Dylan Wang Guardians of the Dafeng People's Daily JoyWorks (人民文娱) Interview
[ENG SUB] Our Dorm S01E02 bonus content (Dylan cut)
[ENG SUB] Our Dormitories Episode 2 (with Dylan Wang)