"It's the best timing for me to play this kind of character. I had to spend around four months preparing for the script, which is in line with my previous works, but found the role (which spans 21 years in the TV series) is a good fit for me now, as I have learned more about life in recent years," says Chen, 63.

"There were some things that I couldn't accurately interpret at a younger age. But this time I felt that the protagonist had actually taken over my body."

The veteran cast also includes actresses Qin Hailu, Yuan Shanshan, and actors Feng Lei, Liu Hua and Gong Hanlin.

Gao, also 63, reveals the story is a tribute to his late father, a Shandong immigrant who previously ran a tavern on a bustling street in downtown Dalian.

"My father was benevolent, generous and had a good sense of humor. His tavern treated a lot of customers from different walks of life, including businessmen, government officials, Japanese and Soviet soldiers, and even local bandits," recalls Gao.