Mark Chao’s popularity soars, movie deals pour in
TAIPEI: Taiwanese-Canadian actor Mark Chao’s popularity has exploded since his comeback to the small screen after a hiatus of seven years.
Mark’s acting career is blooming after he starred in the television drama, the Chinese fantasy ‘Eternal Love’, also known as ‘Three Lives Three Worlds’, which aired its series finale on Mar 1.
According to several sources, the actor has received eight film offers in a single day, each offering him 100 million yuan (RM64 million) to star.
Co-starring Yang Mi, ‘Eternal Love’ tells the tale of two starcrossed lovers who are doomed to suffer separation for three lifetimes. But the fairytale ultimately ends in a happy note, and the two lovers are reunited. The drama is adapted from the xianxia novel of the same name.
‘Eternal Love’ was Mark’s first television drama since 2009’s ‘Black & White’, which was also his debut project. According to a source close to Mark, the ‘actor originally didn’t want to do ‘Eternal Love’, but finally accepted it after reading the script and the novel. Mark had said he admired the story’s male lead Ye Hua, who chose his loyalty and devotion to Bai Qian over power.
“To be able to make your life’s decision in such a relaxing manner is something I’ve always valued,” said Mark.
The 32-year-old actor himself shares some similarities with Ye Hua. Like the prince, Mark is also someone who puts love above all, especially when it comes to his wife, actress Gao Yuanyuan.
However, Mark’s casting as Ye Hua was not without its criticism. As Ye Hua is known for his beauty, netizens and critics doubted that Mark would be able to fit into the role. Mark himself admitted that he is not good-looking enough for the part, but despite such criticism, Mark successfully won over critics with his acting and understanding of the character.
The actor posted a 500-word essay on social media after the broadcast of the final episode on Mar 1. In the post, he thanked the cast, including the director and Yang Mi, for their trust and support. He is also grateful for the opportunity to play a wellrounded and three-dimensional role like Ye Hua.
“Without you guys, there is no Ye Hua,” he said.