The film Journey to the West 1986 is not just a masterpiece closely associated with the youth of many, but also a representation of legendary imagery of deities on the silver screen in the Chinese language. Among them, the character of Golden Sand, portrayed by the talented actor Liu Jiang, has left a strong impression on audiences, becoming an iconic representation that remains unsurpassed to this day.
Liu Jiang stepped into the art of acting at a very young age. At 16, this talented actor joined a theatrical troupe before transitioning into the film industry. With exceptional acting skills, he frequently received roles that showcased his charm, bringing characters to life on screen. Liu Jiang contributed to numerous famous films such as Phantom of the Golden Lantern, The Land of War, but his most iconic role undoubtedly remains that of Golden Sand in Journey to the West, which made him a household name.
Notably, this character was the final role in the film Journey to the West, as other actors at the time were reluctant to take on the “difficult old man” role due to the stigma attached. It wasn’t until Liu Jiang volunteered for the part that director Yang Qian was able to gather a cast for this legendary film.
Initially, the producers of Journey to the West were concerned that Liu Jiang might not fit the role. However, after donning the costume, the actor managed to astound the entire cast with his complete transformation into the character, leading to a “decisive blow” to their doubts.
Interestingly, during the filming of Journey to the West, Liu Jiang continuously encountered bizarre occurrences, causing public speculation. From the very first recording session, he felt a chilling sensation while sitting on Golden Sand’s throne. According to the actor, he experienced a sudden cold breeze and heard faint whispers, as if someone was present behind him. Initially, he thought the crew was trying to create a spooky atmosphere for the filming, but later discovered that no one was behind him at all.
The strangest occurrence was when Liu Jiang suddenly encountered two actors dressed in ghostly costumes appearing before him. At that time, he could only joke about how these two were a bit too enthusiastic about their role, disrupting the filming atmosphere. However, when Liu Jiang reflected on this incident, the entire film crew confirmed that during the filming, there was indeed no one standing in front of the actor.
According to QQ, when Liu Jiang experienced these odd encounters, director Yang Qian wanted to suspend filming, but the actor insisted on completing the performance. Only when the crew wrapped up the filming did the strange events cease, but even after returning home, Liu Jiang often heard whispers echoing in his ears, as if he was still in the mystical world of Journey to the West.
Regarding his personality, Liu Jiang is an incredibly humble, modest, and gentle individual. He has dedicated his life to the performing arts, actively contributing to the industry for over 60 years. Sadly, this talented actor has battled cancer three times. According to sources, one of the reasons Liu Jiang faced severe health issues was due to weight concerns. To fully portray his characters on screen, Liu Jiang always maintained a weight of over 80 kg despite standing only 1.65 m tall.
Despite his health struggles, Liu Jiang remained resilient and maintained a vibrant spirit. Until May 2020, he celebrated his 95th birthday in a warm gathering with loved ones, bringing joy to everyone around him. Many believe that the actor’s generous contributions to society allowed him to receive a warm farewell, as he was not just a performer but a true artist admired by many.
Source: 163, QQ
