LayarHijau – Rising actress Ai Mi has opened up about her experience working with Hou Minghao in the hit historical romance Key to the Phoenix Heart, revealing that the project became an invaluable learning opportunity for her both on and off the set.
Speaking with Sohu Entertainment, Ai Mi described their working relationship as naturally resembling that of an older brother and younger sister. She also praised Hou Minghao for being the kind of actor who constantly elevates not only his own performance but also those of his scene partners.
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Hou Minghao Always Looked Out for His Co-Stars
According to Ai Mi, Hou Minghao frequently came up with creative ideas on set that no one else had considered. Rather than focusing solely on Xiao Wuyi, his own character, he paid close attention to making every scene feel richer and more authentic.
“Whenever he came up with something that no one else had thought of on set, I’d think, ‘That’s exactly why he feels like an older brother,'” Ai Mi said.
She explained that Hou Minghao often added subtle touches that made Xiao Wuyi more believable while also helping Xie Jiayu feel more natural through age-appropriate gestures and expressions.
“He wasn’t just thinking about making his own character better. He also thought about how to help his co-stars. He’s incredibly thoughtful and pays attention to every detail,” she said.
Learning Through Hou Minghao’s Improvisation
One of the moments that left the biggest impression on Ai Mi was a scene in which Xiao Wuyi pretends to be ill while Xie Jiayu feeds him medicine.
She revealed that many of the small interactions audiences saw on screen were developed through Hou Minghao’s suggestions during filming. His ideas helped shape the emotional flow of the scene and made the characters’ interactions feel more genuine.
For Ai Mi, those moments became some of the biggest lessons she took away from the production. She admired the fact that Hou Minghao always prioritized the overall quality of a scene rather than simply making himself stand out.
Hou Minghao Even Gave Her Singing Lessons
Their friendship extended beyond acting.
Ai Mi shared that she once asked Hou Minghao to teach her how to sing during a break in filming, and he happily agreed.
“He actually gave me a little lesson right there on set. We didn’t have much time because we had to get back to filming, so I only learned a little,” she recalled with a laugh.
She also praised his vocal ability, saying he could effortlessly hit high notes while she struggled to keep up.
Feeling Safe During the Carrying Scenes
Key to the Phoenix Heart features several romantic scenes in which Hou Minghao carries Ai Mi’s character.
Despite wearing heavy period costumes and elaborate headpieces, Ai Mi said Hou Minghao handled those scenes with ease.
“He’s really strong. We were wearing thick historical costumes, and my headpiece alone weighed around a kilogram, but he could still carry me without any trouble,” she said.
When asked whether that made her feel safe, Ai Mi answered with a simple, “Absolutely.”
Admiring Hou Minghao’s Intelligence
Beyond his professionalism, Ai Mi admitted she was especially impressed by Hou Minghao’s intelligence.
She described herself as someone who is naturally drawn to intelligent people and said the actor was at his most attractive whenever he discussed his creative ideas with the director and crew.
“I’m probably attracted to intelligence,” she said. “When he talks about his ideas and explains how he approaches a scene, that’s when I find him the most captivating.”
Looking back on Key to the Phoenix Heart, Ai Mi said the drama gave her more than just another acting credit. Working alongside Hou Minghao allowed her to grow as an actress, and she hopes they’ll have the chance to reunite in a modern drama someday.
