"I read the script again and again — it's the story of a genius at the height of his glory, cast down into the depths, enduring hardship and pain to expose the real villain. And in that struggle, he sheds his pride, his old self … and becomes something new," says Wang.

"I could relate more to the character after researching the poem's creative backdrop," adds Wang.

A native of Yueyang in Central China's Hunan province, Wang's life contrasts sharply with the struggles of many of his onscreen characters — his own journey has been much smoother. In his final year of middle school, while accompanying a classmate to an art college entrance exam, he unexpectedly caught the attention of the examiner.

Realizing that show business might open a new path for him, Wang shifted his focus to acting. Through fierce competition, he earned admission to the Department of Acting at the Central Academy of Drama, renowned as the cradle of some of China's most famous stars.

His years at the academy instilled in him not just the fundamentals of acting, but also a methodical approach to studying human behavior — often through documentaries and everyday life.

"When waiting at train stations or sitting in restaurants with friends, I would deliberately observe people's facial expressions, gestures and movements. Then I'd incorporate those details into my performances," he says.

Despite studying in Beijing — a vast metropolis where he once nearly got lost — the place he came to know best after graduation was Hengdian, a town dubbed "China's Hollywood" and home to Hengdian World Studios, the country's largest film and TV shooting base.