After the first trailer for “Yuan Yang Kou” was released, there was a scene of various artists on the overpass, with Qi Shejiang hopping on stilts, and Mo Sheng and Qi Leyang barking like dogs, which drew the audience in. One day, Qi Shejiang checked his Weibo and found many people tagging him in a video. It was recorded by an audience member in a park in the capital, featuring a pair of young crosstalk performers performing. The blogger said: “I casually recorded this in the park before the Spring Festival and found out, aren’t these two the disciples of Qi Shejiang! The ones barking like dogs in the trailer!”
After the trailer was released, Mo Sheng and Qi Leyang’s visibility increased a bit, plus they had been reported before just because they were Qi Shejiang’s disciples. Qi Shejiang casually retweeted it. Later, he learned that it was indeed a passerby who filmed the video, but it was actually sent by a contact from the production team to create publicity for the movie. Soon the production team’s news came out, telling everyone the story: “This is @Mo Sheng @Qi Leyang training for ‘Yuan Yang Kou.’ Director Tang’s only requirement for them was to perform street art until they earned back ten thousand!”
This training was quite interesting.
Wow, Director Tang really knows how to push actors! Particularly as the production team went deeper, sparking everyone’s interest, they indicated that Qi Shejiang and his disciples’ bond formed during this time, and Qi Shejiang actually went to teach them how to perform on the street—that they were also clueless at the beginning. This time, it really spiraled out of control. By this time, there were indeed people—not arranged by the production crew—who found videos of Qi Shejiang performing, including that very classic segment where Qi Shejiang first learned to bark like a dog. It turned out someone captured that moment; even Tang Shuangqin arrived late and missed the whole process.
In the video, a young man with slightly darker skin and long bangs wearing glasses suddenly started barking like a dog, attracting both bird calls and dog barks, leading the dogs to tug their owner right in front of them. Observant viewers then noticed this was actually Qi Shejiang’s makeup! So, considering Tang Shuangqin’s nature, this also proved that the barking like a dog segment in the trailer wasn’t just an editing effect; it was real!
“Director Tang, many viewers are discussing Qi Shejiang, Mo Sheng, and Qi Leyang performing street art for ‘Yuan Yang Kou’,” said Tang Shuangqin during a program promoting the movie when a reporter asked, “Can you share how much they earned at that time?”
“In the end, it took them over a month to earn the goal I set,” Tang Shuangqin replied.
I went to watch them perform and saw Qi Shejiang attracting many viewers, which made me think to include it in the movie. I think this really reflects a kind of cleverness of artists back then.” The reporter nodded with a smile, “Indeed clever, and it takes skill.” “Yes, yes, Jesse has that feeling of the old artists; his ideas are very creative, and he works hard.” Tang Shuangqin praised Qi Shejiang endlessly, speaking excitedly. The reporter couldn’t help but ask, “It seems you’re very satisfied with Jesse, so can you elaborate on just how satisfied you are?”
Tang Shuangqin was silent for a moment and said, “Let’s put it this way: if there’s a suitable role for Jesse, I can accept him bringing his mother into the crew for his audition.”
What kind of performance did Qi Shejiang truly deliver in “Yuan Yang Kou”? That can only be known by watching the film. In any case, it was said that he not only participated in the acting but also in the music production, working together with Zhang Yue. This became another tale of friendship, as the two good buddies collaborated once again.
Thanks to Qi Shejiang’s promotion, everyone is now quite familiar with Zidi Shū. Many people know about this genre, fulfilling the promise made during the intangible cultural heritage assessment to promote the genre. The audience learned that the film’s music used materials from Zidi Shū, and they praised how well it fit the style and looked forward to it. A week before the film’s release, Qi Shejiang and Zhang Yue attended the premiere. At the event, nothing excited the media and fans more than seeing the two walk the red carpet together. Neither brought a female companion. From the start, the crowd erupted with screams. The organizers did a great job! The Day-Night CP walked the red carpet together! Moreover, the main actors were dressed in old-fashioned attire, especially the actor who played the Peking opera master, who wore full costume. Qi Shejiang, however, wore a custom-made red gown, and when they walked out, it seemed as though Zhang Yue was the one supporting him. At the end of the red carpet, a reporter asked them, “So you were arranged to walk the red carpet together…” Zhang Yue interrupted, “We weren’t arranged; we requested it ourselves.”
” Both the reporters and fans were excited, “What are your thoughts on this?” Zhang Yue bluntly replied, “It feels a bit like a wedding.” The crowd burst into laughter. The event began with several main actors singing the theme song together. The eponymous theme song was composed and sung by Zhang Yue. This time he sang with the lead actors while Qi Shejiang provided accompaniment on the sanxian with a folk music ensemble he hired. Coincidentally, among the musicians invited this time, one had met Qi Shejiang before. He was the string player Old Bai from a provincial troupe, who had once accompanied at Xia Yiwei’s concert. When Qi Shejiang saw Old Bai, he felt familiar and couldn’t help but ask, “Haven’t we…?” “Yes, we have met.” Old Bai was surprised that he still remembered him. “Yes, that’s you, right,” said Qi Shejiang, recalling, “Don’t say that! I remember, you have excellent technique!” Old Bai praised the sanxian, saying how “hands” (a reference to skill level) were exceptional. Hearing the praise, Old Bai’s eyes lit up with joy. The media noticed how well the two were chatting, and when the song ended, they specifically asked whether the sanxian teacher also admired Qi Shejiang’s skills. “
Old Bai, with his long robe and beard, certainly looked like a high-level artist. Old Bai shook his head repeatedly, “I do admire him; Qi Laoshi’s skill is definitely above mine.” The reporter was a bit surprised, “Aren’t you a professional string player in your troupe?” Old Bai noticed he was still unclear and pointed at Qi Shejiang, “Qi Laoshi is an inheritor of Zidi Shū; don’t you know the traditional accompaniment instrument for Zidi Shū has always been the sanxian? This is part of their technical specialty; he is also a professional.” After that, Old Bai jokingly added, “And I’m from a provincial troupe; Qi Laoshi is a national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor—he’s superior to me.” Old Bai wasn’t joking; Qi Shejiang’s skills had reached the level where he could use the sound of the strings to mimic natural sounds, achieving the realm of “cleverly transforming string sounds.” He was among the true experts, which explained why Qi Shejiang had praised him and why Old Bai looked so pleased. “Old Bai is being kind to me; I’ve met him at my mother’s concert before, and this is our second exchange,” Qi Shejiang picked up the conversation, speaking humbly. “They’re both impressive; otherwise, how could one be invited to accompany and the other to create music?” Tang Shuangqin interjected. Naturally, the conversation shifted back to the film. Next, the final trailer for the film would be presented, along with some clips.
