Winston Chao had long considered slowing down and stepping away from the bright lights of the entertainment world after decades dominating both television and film.

But just as he was preparing to retire from acting, a transformative role arrived, reshaping his life and leading to a stunning triumph: he became the first actor from Taiwan to win the Wenhua Award, one of China's most prestigious honors for stage productions.

Chao won the award for his role as Shan Wudan in the Chinese play Crocodile, which is an original drama penned by Nobel laureate Mo Yan. Premiering in May 2024, the play has toured the country, performing more than 50 shows across over 20 cities, and receiving both commercial and critical success. From Friday to Sunday, the play will be staged in Hong Kong.

"Before Crocodile came calling, I was happily adjusting to a life of calm. I thought I was ready to retire," said 65-year-old Chao in Beijing on Nov 7. He has been keeping a low profile since the pandemic and living in the countryside in Ningbo, Zhejiang province. "After the pandemic, I wasn't sure if I wanted to jump back into the grind. I had a comfortable routine, and with my age and health, I didn't think I could handle the physical demands of theater. But then, this role came along, and suddenly, I felt like I had a new challenge to sink my teeth into."