Chen Kun

Chen Kun
Background information
Chinese name 陳坤 (traditional)
Chinese name 陈坤 (simplified)
Pinyin Chén Kūn (Mandarin)
Jyutping Can4 Kwan1 (Cantonese)
Born (1976-02-04) February 4, 1976
Chongqing, China
Other names Aloys Chen
Ethnicity Han
Alma mater Beijing Film Academy
Occupation
Years active 1999–present
Genre(s) Mandopop
Voice type(s) Baritone
Label(s) K Pictures
Children 1 son

Chen Kun (born February 4, 1976), sometimes credited as Aloys Chen, is a Chinese actor and singer. He gained recognition from television dramas Love Story in Shanghai and The Story of a Noble Family and rose to international prominence with the films The Knot and Painted Skin. Chen has won the Hundred Flowers Award's for Best Actor, Huabiao Award for Outstanding Actor, and received a Golden Horse Award nomination for Best Actor.

Biography

Chen Kun was born in Chongqing. He was raised by his maternal grandmother. His parents divorced soon after Chen's second younger brother was born, and Chen began working part-time in high school to support his mother. He started as a typist at the municipal office and later as a solo singer at night clubs. He showed early talent in singing and was strongly recommended by his vocal trainer and mentor to join the China Oriental Song and Dance Ensemble (now China National Song and Dance Ensemble) at Beijing in 1995. In 1996, he was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy, where he began taking acting classes.[1][2]

In 2010, Chen established his own agency K Pictures (Dongshen Tonghua). He then set up a series of public charities named "Power to Go", aimed to encourage people to simply go outside and walk, in an effort to improve their health and spirit.[3] The events were held on separate occasions in Qinghai and Tibet.[4][5] In 2012, he published and co-authored the book Heading East, in the Direction of Peace (往西，宁静的方向), the first in a series of five books promoting the charity program. Chen was crowned as the "Weibo King" at the 2013 Sina Weibo Night for his popularity, influence and philanthropy work on the micro-blogging site.[6] He was also the "Philanthropy King" at the 2014 iQiyi Awards Night.

Chen is also a keen writer, having published and co-authored several books. His first book Suddenly Walked to Tibet (突然就走到了西藏) was published in 2011, and contains a collection of autobiographical essays.[7] It was a huge commercial success, and Chen became the first and only actor to make it on to China's Writers Rich List.[8] In 2014, he also published Strange Aquarius (鬼水瓶录), a short-story collection that takes inspiration from his Weibo posts and life story.[9]

Although he is not married, Chen has one son born in 2002 named Youyou. Chen does not intend to reveal the identity of Youyou's mother.

Career

1999–2004: Debut and rising popularity

Chen debuted in the 1999 film The National Anthem.[10] He rose to prominence with the 2001 television drama Love in Shanghai. His role as a poor clock repairer who manages to get through to a girl from a wealthy family suffering from infantile autism, made him an audience favorite.[11]

Chen gained more international recognition in 2002, after starring in Franco-Chinese romance film Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress. The film was nominated at the Golden Globe Awards for Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.[11]

He then starred in the Republican series The Story of a Noble Family (2003), adapted from the novel of the same name by Zhang Henshui. The series was a commercial success, and recorded the highest ratings of the year.[12] The role of Jin Yanxi became his most prolific work in his earlier years.[11]

2005–2016: Films and acclaim

Chen then starred in A West Lake Moment (2005), playing a love-seeking and idealistic young man who is not easily satisfied. He was nominated as Best Actor for his performance at the Golden Horse Awards.[13] He next starred in The Music Box (2006),[14][15] which earned him the Best Actor accolade at the Shanghai Film Critics Awards for capturing his screen character's years of arduous life and as well as his struggles and joys.[16]

Chen rose to international prominence with The Knot (2007). He described the role as a "big challenge" to him, as he had to portray the maturing process of his character over 20 years.[13] The film was a huge success and garnered 8 nominations at the 16th Golden Rooster Awards, including Best Actor for Chen.[17] He also won Best Actor at the 2007 Huabiao Film Awards.[18] He next starred in Gordon Chan's horror-adventure film Painted Skin (2008),[19] which won him the Best Actor award at the Hundred Flowers Awards.[20]

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chen participated in the patriotic tribute The Founding of a Republic (2009). He played Chiang Ching-kuo, and was praised by the media and critics alike for his excellent portrayal of a passionate nationalist who was unable to prevent the fall of his party.[21] He then played his first antagonist role in Jiang Wen's gangster film Let the Bullets Fly (2010).[22]

Chen starred in wuxia film Flying Swords of Dragon Gate directed by Tsui Hark in 2011. His dynamic portrayal of two distinct characters; the cold and cruel Yu Huatian and the witty and humorous Feng Lidao, won him Best Actor nominations at the Asian Film Awards and Hundred Flowers Awards.[23] The dual roles marked a turning point in Chen's popularity and acting career, and has become one of his most representative works to date.[24][25]

Chen played the role of Qian Xuesen in the biopic of the author released in 2012.[26] He received critical acclaim for his capturing his character's growth from young to old, and was awarded the Best Actor award at the Shanghai Film Critics Awards for the second time.[27] The same year, he starred in Painted Skin: The Resurrection, the sequel to Painted Skin.[28] The film grossed over 700 million yuan ($109.8 million), becoming the highest-grossing Chinese-language movie of all time then.[29]

Chen then starred in Bends,[30] which was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.[31] Chen won the Best Actor award at the 2013 International du Film de Femmes de Sale held in Morocco.[32] Chen starred in fantasy epics in 2015; Zhong Kui: Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal[33] as well as Mojin: The Lost Legend where he played Hu Bayi, the main character of the popular tomb-raiding novel series.[34] Mojin was a huge commercial success, breaking the box office record for a local language IMAX film in China.[35]

In 2016, Chen starred alongside Bai Baihe in crime caper film Chongqing Hot Pot.[36] The film received acclaim and positive word-of-mouth, grossing 152 million yuan in four days.[37] He also made a special appearance in the romantic comedy Beautiful Accident opposite his Rest on Your Shoulder co-star Gwei Lun-mei.[38] The same year, Chen co-produced and starred in his first television variety Twenty Four Hours. The first episode was broadcast on January 21 on Zhejiang Television and ranked first in ratings.[39]

2017–present: Return to television

In 2018, Chen starred in republican spy drama Lost in 1949 as twin brothers, and historical period drama The Rise of Phoenixes as a calculating and ambitious royal prince. These two dramas are co-produced by Chen himself, and also mark his return to the small screen after a decade.[40][41] He is set to star in the wuxia film The Weary Poet.[42]

Music

Apart from acting, Chen is also an established singer. He frequently performs theme songs for his television series and has released three full-length studio albums. Chen made his debut as a singer in 2004 with the album Osmosis.[43] He then released his second album Make It Come True Again,[44] won him Most Popular Male Vocalist at the MTV Asia Awards. To support his third album Mystery&Me, he held his first solo concert in Beijing in February 2010.[45] He wrote the lyrics to the single "Power to Go", which he released for a philanthropy program to advocate environmental awareness and protection.[46]

Filmography

Film

Year English title Chinese title Role Notes
1999The National Anthem国歌Nie Er
2002Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress巴尔扎克和小裁缝Luo Ming
2003Kung Fu Girls中国功夫少女组Tang ZhengSpecial appearance[47]
2004Baobei in Love恋爱中的宝贝Mao MaoGuest appearance[48]
2005A West Lake Moment鸳鸯蝴蝶Ah Qin
2006The Music Box理发师Lu Ping
The Knot云水谣Chen Qiushui
2007The Door门Jiang Zhongtian[49]
2008Playboy Cops花花型警Lincoln Lin[50]
Painted Skin画皮Wang Sheng
2009Mulan花木兰Wentai[51]
The Founding of a Republic建国大业Chiang Ching-kuo
2010My Ex-wife's Wedding跟我的前妻谈恋爱Ma Yong[52]
Let the Bullets Fly让子弹飞Hu Wan
2011The Founding of a Party建党伟业Zhou Enlai[53]
Rest on Your Shoulder肩上蝶Yan Guo[54]
Love on Credit幸福额度Zhang Quanco-producer[55]
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate龙门飞甲Yu Huatian / Wind Blade (Feng Li Dao)
2012Qian Xuesen钱学森Qian Xuesen
Painted Skin: The Resurrection画皮IIGeneral Huo Xin
2013Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon狄仁杰之神都龙王Wang BoGuest appearance[56]
2014Bends过界男女Huang Zihui
2015Zhong Kui: Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal钟馗伏魔：雪妖魔灵2Zhong Kui
Mojin: The Lost Legend寻龙诀Hu Bayi
2016Chongqing Hot Pot火锅英雄Liu Bo
2017Beautiful Accident美好的意外Zhang TaoSpecial appearance, co-producer
TBAThe Weary Poet诗眼倦天涯Ye Motian

Television series

Year English title Chinese title Role Notes
2001Love Story in Shanghai像雾像雨又像风Chen Zikun
Pink Ladies粉红女郎RomeoGuest appearance[57]
Traveller Story旅人的故事Fang
Love in Sunshine爱在阳光灿烂时Ouyang Jun
2002Only You非你不可Ke Lei[58]
The Noble Family买办之家Yu ZikunGuest appearance[59]
2003The Story of a Noble Family金粉世家Jin Yanxi
Farewell Vancouver别了，温哥华Luo Yi[60][61]
Red Carpet, Black Dream红色地毯黑色梦Lan Hao
双响炮Xu HengGuest appearance[62]
2004名扬花鼓Mingyang[63]
Chinese Story中国故事Xiaodongsegment: Brother's Story (哥们的故事)
Yearning of the Sword长剑相思Yan Zhuiyun[64]
2005True Love on Earth天地真情Lin ShijieGuest appearance[65]
Eager for True Love渴望真爱Hu Ansegment: Absolute Privacy (绝对隐私)[66]
风雨西关Liang Jinkun[67]
Hero of the Year好想好想谈恋爱Lu KunGuest appearance
2006The Conquest争霸传奇Fan Li[68]
2007朱家花园Li Bowen[69]
2008情证今生Zhou Hao[70]
C'est La Vie, Mon Chéri新不了情Cheung Siu-kit[71]
Remembrance of Dreams Past故梦Lu Tian'en[72]
2018Lost in 1949脱身Qiao Zhicai / Qiao Lijieco-producer
The Rise of Phoenixes天盛长歌Ning Yico-producer

Discography

Albums
Year English title Chinese title Notes
2004Osmosis渗透EP
2006Make It Come True Again再一次实现
2009Mystery & Me谜ME
Singles
Year English title Chinese title Album Notes
2005"Forgetting"忘却Feng Yu Xi Guan OST
2006"Conquest"争霸The Conquest OST
"It's Really Forever"真永远
2007"Always Together, Never Leaving"相随相依永不分离Zhu Jia Hua Yuan OST
2008"Beijing Welcomes You"北京欢迎你N/A2008 Summer Olympics theme song
2011"Power to Go"N/AN/APower to Go theme song
"Promise of Love"幸福宣言Love on Credit OST
2016"Looking for the Dragon Spell"寻龙诀Mojin: The Lost Legend OST

Accolades

Endorsements and Ambassadorship

Chen Kun at Baume et Mercier event in Beijing (12 October 2016).

Chen was appointed as one of the goodwill ambassadors for China-ROK Exchange Year in 2007.[73] He was also appointed as UNICEF Ambassador for China.[74]

In 2012, Chen became the second Chinese male celebrity to have a wax figure of himself displayed at Madam Tussaud in Shanghai.[75]

In 2014, he became the product ambassador of Huawei's Honor brand in China.[76]

In 2015, Chen became the global ambassador of Giorgio Armani and luxury watch brand Baume et Mercier.[77][78]

References

  1. ↑ "Lonely boy who changed his life". China Daily. 20 February 2009.
  2. ↑ Chen Chen (尘尘); Jie Yu (解语); Yuan Yi (袁艺) (2008). "Chen Kun: Harvest Season of the Sour Teenager" 《陈坤：酸涩少年的收获季节》. 《青年文摘》 [Youth Literary Digest] (in Chinese). Beijing: China Youth Press. pp. 48–54. ISBN 978-7-5006-6471-0.
  3. ↑ "Chen Kun: Power to Go". Chinese Films. 24 August 2011.
  4. ↑ ""Power to go" takes place in Qinghai". CNTV.com. 7 September 2012.
  5. ↑ "Power to Go: Celebrity Leads Pilgrimage in Tibet". China Tibet Online. 25 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "新浪微博之夜落幕 "微"力改变世界". Sina (in Chinese). 15 January 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  7. ↑ ""Suddenly, I Walk to Tibet", by Chen Kun". China Radio International. 23 April 2012.
  8. ↑ "媒体发布作家富豪榜:郑渊洁莫言居前两名". Sina (in Chinese). 29 November 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  9. ↑ "陈坤首部心念小说集《鬼水瓶录》出版". Sina (in Chinese). 16 January 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  10. ↑ Beijing Review Volume 52 2009 p.42 "Ten years ago, while still a student in the Beijing Film Academy, Chen Kun was selected to play Nie Er, composer of the People's Republic's national anthem, in a tribute film. He said the experience of playing again in a tribute film benefited ..."
  11. 1 2 3 "One of China´s hottest young film stars Chen Kun". CCTV.com. 24 January 2005.
  12. ↑ "<金粉世家>创收视新高 陈坤董洁成最佳情侣". Sohu (in Chinese). 10 May 2003.
  13. 1 2 "Chen Kun: 'Enjoy Life, Enjoy Work'". China.org.cn. 9 November 2005.
  14. ↑ "《理发师》片场专访陈坤:动荡环境中小人物". Epoch Times (in Chinese). 17 April 2005.
  15. ↑ "《理发师》--陈坤与曾黎演乱世爱情". Sina (in Chinese). 16 March 2006.
  16. ↑ "《天狗》上海影评人奖十佳影片 朱媛媛当选影后". Sina (in Chinese). 26 June 2005.
  17. ↑ "'The Knot' ties up Rooster Awards". Variety. 31 October 2007.
  18. ↑ "Hot Knot wins big at Huabiao". China Daily. 29 August 2007.
  19. ↑ "陈坤颠覆形象演《画皮》 自曝曾拒当男主角". Mtime (in Chinese). 1 September 2008.
  20. ↑ "The 19th China Golden Rooster & 30th Hundred Flowers Film Festival". China Daily. 13 December 2010.
  21. ↑ "建国大业》票房爆棚 陈坤成"黑马"" [Founding of a Republic is a commercial success, Chen Kun comes out as the dark horse]. Sohu (in Chinese). 20 September 2009.
  22. ↑ "Chen Kun takes on gangster style". China Daily. 8 December 2009.
  23. ↑ "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate receives the most Asian Film Award nominations". Asia Pacific Arts. 23 January 2012.
  24. ↑ "《龙门飞甲》陈坤自我PK 没有战胜不了的江湖" [Chen Kun battles himself in new film]. Sina (in Chinese). 20 December 2011.
  25. ↑ "Tsui Hark's 'Dragon Gate' a visual feast". China.org.cn. 21 December 2011.
  26. ↑ "Chen Kun takes lead in Qian Xuesen biopic". China Daily. 9 March 2011.
  27. ↑ "十佳影片，花落谁家：第21届上海影评人奖揭晓" (in Chinese). Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  28. ↑ "Re-imagined fantasy about love". China Daily. 3 August 2012.
  29. ↑ "Ludicrous 'Painted Skin'". The China Post. 13 July 2012.
  30. ↑ "陈坤刘嘉玲"过界男女"首映 助力新导演零片酬出演". Mtime (in Chinese). 11 February 2014.
  31. ↑ "Bends". Cannes Film Festival. 6 May 2013.
  32. ↑ "陈坤凭《过界》获摩洛哥萨累电影节影帝" [Chen Kun wins Best Actor award at Morocco International Festival for Bends]. Sina (in Chinese). 11 October 2013.
  33. ↑ "The King of ghosts". Global Times. 5 February 2015.
  34. ↑ "Chen Kun in Utmost Sincerity to Portray in 'Mojin: The Lost Legend'". CRI English. 19 November 2015.
  35. ↑ "'Mojin' Breaks IMAX Box Office Record in China (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 8 January 2016.
  36. ↑ "《火锅英雄》主创详解幕后故事：陈坤不耍大牌拍戏拼". ifeng (in Chinese). 11 April 2016.
  37. ↑ "'Chongqing Hot Pot' wins top viewers ratings". China.org.cn. 5 April 2016.
  38. ↑ "Chen Kun, Kwai Lun-mei portray a couple in 'Beautiful Accident'". China.org.cn. 6 July 2016.
  39. ↑ "《二十四小时》收视飙升 六位船员萌点毕现" [New variety show is a success in the ratings game]. Sohu (in Chinese). 1 February 2016.
  40. ↑ "陈坤出演谍战大戏《脱身者》 阔别9年重返荧屏". Tencent (in Chinese). 11 October 2016.
  41. ↑ "《凰权》陈坤出手掀波澜 网友：史上最完美男主". Tencent (in Chinese). 20 October 2016.
  42. ↑ "周迅×陈坤《诗眼倦天涯》首曝剧照". Mtime (in Chinese). 24 July 2018.
  43. ↑ "Chen Kun and His First Album "Osmosis"". China Radio International. 11 April 2006.
  44. ↑ "Chen Kun--"Come True Again"". China Radio International. 11 April 2006.
  45. ↑ "陈坤首场个人演唱会闭关备战 全力打造视听盛宴". Tencent (in Chinese). 20 January 2010.
  46. ↑ "Chen Kun writes lyrics for philanthropy". China Daily. 27 July 2011.
  47. ↑ "陈坤首演功夫片当上功夫教头　训练四位美少女". People's Daily (in Chinese). 8 September 2003.
  48. ↑ "'Baober in Love' draws raves, rants and crowds". China Daily. 24 February 2004.
  49. ↑ "陈坤携李少红宣传《门》 声称已突破表演瓶颈期". ifeng (in Chinese). 8 December 2006.
  50. ↑ "《花花型警》余文乐陈坤上演"警察夺爱"". Sina (in Chinese). 12 July 2007.
  51. ↑ "Remake of the classic "Mulan"". CCTV. 2 November 2009.
  52. ↑ "My Ex-wife's Wedding Poster Released". China.org.cn. 13 October 2010.
  53. ↑ "The Founding of a Party to film at Kremlin". China.org.cn. 15 December 2010.
  54. ↑ "'Rest on Your Shoulder' is about love". China.org.cn. 16 June 2011.
  55. ↑ "Chen Kun, Lin Chi-ling stars in riches to love film". China Daily. 27 October 2011.
  56. ↑ "陈坤客串《神都龙王》 彩蛋部分带来惊喜". China News (in Chinese). 24 September 2013.
  57. ↑ "胡兵陆毅陈坤三小生陪练 粉红女郎演男人婆". Sina (in Chinese). 24 May 2003.
  58. ↑ "林心如牵手陈坤 《非你不可》剧情曝光(附图)". Sina (in Chinese). 29 September 2001.
  59. ↑ ""买办之家"还是唯美加凄惨(组图)". Sina (in Chinese). 11 November 2003.
  60. ↑ "陈坤姜武李小冉　赵宝刚《别了，温哥华》今上演". People's Daily (in Chinese). 1 April 2004.
  61. ↑ "《别了，温哥华》宣传造势赵宝刚评点陆毅陈坤". Sina (in Chinese). 26 August 2003.
  62. ↑ "《双响炮》剧组趣事"双响"(组图)". Sina (in Chinese). 22 October 2013.
  63. ↑ "《名扬花鼓》即将敲响 陈坤首次以古装登场(图)". Sina (in Chinese). 23 March 2004.
  64. ↑ "陈坤新剧尝试硬汉形象 《长剑相思》温柔"护花". Sina (in Chinese). 5 March 2004.
  65. ↑ "李少红监制陈坤主演360集《天地真情》元旦开播". Sina (in Chinese). 28 December 2004.
  66. ↑ "陈坤《渴望一份真爱的感觉》 与徐筠体验真爱". Sina (in Chinese). 31 July 2005.
  67. ↑ "陈坤孙俪共谱爱情悲剧 《风雨西关》今北京开播". Sina (in Chinese). 26 December 2005.
  68. ↑ "《争霸传奇》关机 陈坤：当演员太"贱"(图)". Sina (in Chinese). 18 September 2005.
  69. ↑ "陈坤难获郝蕾芳心 阿不大闹《朱家花园》(图)". Tencent (in Chinese). 5 October 2007.
  70. ↑ "陈宝国陈建斌保驾《情证今生》 陈坤戴上假发套". Sina (in Chinese). 12 June 2006.
  71. ↑ "尔冬升再造《新不了情》 陈坤薛凯琪五月催泪". Sina (in Chinese). 22 August 2008.
  72. ↑ "陈坤罗海琼"再续前缘"重温《故梦》(图)". Sina (in Chinese). 14 October 2008.
  73. ↑ "Four stars named "goodwill ambassadors" for China-ROK Exchange Year". China Daily. 16 December 2006.
  74. ↑ "Top cinema artist Chen Kun appointed as UNICEF Ambassador for China". UNICEF. 4 May 2012.
  75. ↑ "Chen Kun's wax figure debuts at Madame Tussauds in Shanghai". Xinhua News. 26 April 2012.
  76. ↑ "Oppo unveils Chinese actress Mini Yang M as brand ambassador". GSM INSIDER. Retrieved 2015-04-17.
  77. ↑ "Giorgio Armani unveils Made to Measure ambassadors". Armani. 29 June 2015.
  78. ↑ "Baume & Mercier reveals new ambassador Chen Kun". Baume et Mercier. December 2015.
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