Mark Chao hits paydirt after breaking seven-year hiatus
TAIPEI: Actor Mark Chao was initially hesitant about making a comeback on TV dramas. But he has hit paydirt after breaking the seven-year hiatus.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to film television dramas, but I just couldn’t come across a script that really called for me to come back. Until I came upon this one,” explained Mark, referring to his current period drama Three Lives, Three Worlds: Ten Miles of Peach Blossoms.
The drama, with Yang Mi as his love interest, is a massive hit in Taiwan.
It has been topping viewership ratings since airing on Jan 30.
In the drama, Mark and Yang Mi are star- crossed lovers who go through three different lifetimes, one destined to forget, the other doomed to remember. The two-part finale had aired on Mar 1.
Recalling the offer for the role, Mark said he wanted more diversified roles. Added Mark: “I felt that it was time for me to open up my career to new things.
“I cannot be stubborn about sticking to one formula, and only doing the things that I know I can excel in. I decided that I had to challenge myself.”
Mark had debuted in the 2009 Taiwanese drama Black & White, a role that won him the Golden Bell Award for Best Actor. Since then, he has focused on movies.
In Three Lives, Mark portrays Ye Hua, the Crown Prince of the Nine Heavens.
Commented Mark: “He’s very faithful, and this is what I empathise the most with him. Love is love. Three different lifetimes and three different worlds won’t change him. This is a quality I appreciate and admire. As for him being the most handsome man of Heaven’s Court, I’m afraid I’m not up to that standard.”
It’s not that I didn’t want to film television dramas, but I just couldn’t come across a script that really called for me to come back. Until I came upon this one.
Mark Chao, actor