The Chinese acting reality show "Everybody Stand By" has returned for its third season, captivating audiences with a fresh lineup of 45 contestants vying for the title of "The Best Actor." The show, which airs on Tencent Video, brings together an impressive panel of judges including Zhang Ziyi, Francis Ng, Chen Kaige, and Isabelle Huppert, each bringing their wealth of experience from the Chinese entertainment industry.
Set against the backdrop of the Chinese Republican Era, the contestants are challenged to design their own characters and choose the setting for their performances. This creative freedom aims to push the boundaries of their acting skills while being mentored by seasoned veterans in the field. The latest episode delivered a mix of unexpected performances that left both judges and viewers with much to discuss.
Chinese influencer Liu Zichen chose to perform an exaggerated reenactment of Xiang Liu's death scene, a choice that brought laughter from judges Zhang Ziyi and Francis Ng. While humor was not the intended outcome, it showcased the unpredictable nature of live performances on the show.
Zhang Jiayuan, a member of the Chinese boyband Into 1, faced challenges during his time on stage. Initially portraying a student who has lost his dog, his performance fell short of expectations. Even after being granted a second chance with a new role as an idol announcing a relationship at a press conference, Jiayuan struggled to impress the discerning judges.
"I won't be coming back to this home anymore." – Jiayuan
Chen Kaige critiqued Jiayuan’s performance, suggesting that he resembled a "hooligan" rather than an idol maintaining his reputation. Francis Ng observed Jiayuan's attempts with an uneasy expression, indicating room for improvement. In one moment of interaction during his act, Zhang Ziyi approached Jiayuan, who reached out to stroke her, further illustrating his struggle to convey the right emotions.
Xu Jiaqi, a singer-actress from China, took a different approach by embodying a stray cat. Her performance began with a hiss at Francis Ng, earning a dubious reaction from him. Jiaqi later explained her choice of character as an effort to leverage her strengths in body language over verbal improvisation.
"I'm not able to plan for an impromptu script, but I think I am more expressive with my body language, so I decided to perform as a stray cat." – Xu Jiaqi
Despite the varied responses from the judges, Jiaqi expressed satisfaction with her portrayal. Yang Zi, another contestant, reflected on her performance and its impact on the judges.
"I think she was shocked. I understand. I felt I acted how I wanted the character to be." – Yang Zi
The upcoming episode promises more engaging performances and is set to air on February 21 on Tencent Video. Familiar faces such as Taiwanese actress Esther Liu, Taiwanese singer-actor Danson Tang, Hong Kong actor Alex Fong, and former Mediacorp actor Dai Xiangyu bring additional excitement to this season.
"If you can't complete a task that is assigned to you, why are you giving excuses?" – Kaige
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