LayarHijau – Rising star Lai Weiming is back in the spotlight following his appearance on the latest episode of Sohu Entertainment’s variety show, Star Colleague. In an exclusive interview, the young actor not only promoted his upcoming drama, Blossoms of Power, but also shared some hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdotes about working with top-tier actress Meng Ziyi.
In Blossoms of Power, Lai Weiming takes on the role of Xiao Changying, also known as the Ninth Prince or Prince Lie. The character is depicted as a ruthless and decisive commander on the battlefield, yet remarkably sincere, straightforward, and deeply emotional when it comes to matters of the heart. His chemistry with Meng Ziyi’s character, Shen Xihe, is already shaping up to be one of the drama’s biggest draws.
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First Meeting: Meng Ziyi Drew a Blank
One of the most entertaining stories came from Lai Weiming’s recollection of their very first in-person meeting. He visited the set of Blossom while he was busy filming Fangs of Fortune.
“That was the first time I met her in real life. But she didn’t remember,” Lai Weiming laughed, recalling the awkward encounter.
What made it even funnier was that Meng Ziyi reportedly failed to recognize him on multiple occasions. Yet, every time they were reintroduced, the actress would immediately compliment his looks.
“She said she didn’t recognize me a few times, but every time we were reintroduced, she would always say I was handsome,” Lai Weiming shared with a shy smile.
When asked if he enjoyed the compliments, the young actor was refreshingly honest. “Of course, I secretly loved it! It’s always nice to be praised by others. But honestly, I’m the type to get easily embarrassed. My ears turn red really fast when I get complimented,” he admitted with a laugh.
The ‘Big Melon’ Nickname
The playful banter didn’t stop there. Meng Ziyi even bestowed a rather unique nickname upon her co-star: “Big Melon” (Da Xiang Gua).
“She called me ‘Big Melon’ because she said my skin was too pale,” Lai Weiming explained. The nickname apparently stuck during the filming of a shirtless scene. “Everyone on set knows about this, including the director,” he added, chuckling.
Meng Ziyi: From Fierce to Sweet
One of the things that impressed Lai Weiming the most about Meng Ziyi is her ability to seamlessly switch between her intense on-screen persona and her goofy off-screen personality. On camera, she commands the screen as the formidable Shen Xihe, but behind the scenes, she is known for being sweet and hilarious.
“There are moments with such a stark contrast. One second, she’s giving me that cold, intimidating stare just like her character, and the next second, she instantly switches to, ‘Ah~ Xiao Lai~’ in this super sweet tone,” he said, describing the drastic shift.
Lai Weiming also recalled their very first scene together in the drama. “My first scene wasn’t the slapping scene. It was actually the farewell scene where I had to leave for war. By that point, our characters already had a good rapport. But in our characters’ actual first meeting, she was looking down at me coldly because I was on the ground. She was very intimidating!” he recalled.
Strong On-Set Chemistry
When asked about his most memorable moments filming Blossoms of Power, Lai Weiming emphasized how much fun it was to work with Meng Ziyi. “I can’t pinpoint just one specific moment, but overall, it was just a blast. We joked around on set all the time,” he said.
He even shared a funny improvised moment during a slapping scene. “I threw in a joke inspired by Joey Yung, where I said, ‘I’m going to tell my dad.’ Well, technically it’s ‘tell my father,’ not ‘dad,’ but it worked,” he explained about his on-set ad-lib.
Hope for His Character
Lai Weiming is highly enthusiastic about Blossoms of Power, describing it as a highly entertaining watch.
“Blossoms of Power is a drama packed with intricate court politics and intense, push-and-pull emotional conflicts. Overall, it’s a very thrilling, engaging show that’s perfect to watch while eating,” he promoted.
Regarding Xiao Changying, Lai Weiming elaborated on what makes him stand out. “Because he grew up protected by his family, he’s different from the other princes. He’s much purer, more sincere, and cleaner in his intentions. His feelings for Shen Xihe are direct, uncalculated, and purely genuine.”
Interestingly, even when his love is unrequited, Xiao Changying doesn’t turn into a villain. “He chooses to step back out of respect for Shen Xihe’s decision, but he still protects her from the shadows,” Lai Weiming explained, highlighting the complexity of his character.
When asked what part of the story he would change if given the chance, Lai Weiming answered seriously, “I would want to rewrite the ending between Xiao Changying and his older brother. Their relationship doesn’t end happily. But the bond with Shen Xihe is something that can last a lifetime.”
Wait for His Next Move
Wrapping up the interview, Lai Weiming also addressed fans who are rooting for him to land a happier romantic role. “A lot of people are telling me to stop playing characters with unrequited love and to do more happy romance dramas instead. Well, for that, you’ll just have to wait and see my future projects!” he promised with a hopeful smile.
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