Finance Management Weekly, Issue 24

by Lu La and Huang Jing-Jie

On the day of interview, Wu Jing appeared in a pure white clothing in Henglong Square. On facing the passionate fans, Wu Jing answered every questions with great earnestness. Had he not put up a few beautiful martial arts poses, this reporter would have suspected if this cultured, gentlemanly Wu Jing was really the kungfu youngster of concealed talent.

After running a few rounds at the (Legend of Zu) premiere screening, it was already 8 to 9 pm. Just when he had the chance to have his dinner, he was spotted by some fans. The good-natured Wu Jing kindly talked to them, without putting on airs of a big star. On leaving the fans and the cameras, Wu Jing's showed extreme exhaustion. Having done shooting continuously for days, he had not had a good rest. It took five hours of car travel from Hengdian to Shanghai. And after a series of activities from afternoon till night, this kungfu youngster was thoroughly worn-out. However, he has to travel back to Hengdian at 11 pm, for he had to rush back for the next day's shooting.

On bring up the topic of asset management, Wu Jing was hesitating, "I don't know how to manage my finances."

As such, this reporter beat around the bush when talking to Wu Jing and found out, unexpectedly, about Wu Jing's special method to investment and finance management!

A former member of the prestigious Beijing Wushu Team, Wu Jing has since the age of eleven, swept away many trophies at countless national and international wushu championships. In 1995, Wu Jing was brought to the silver screen and it altered his life. Talking about his life in the entertainment circle, Wu Jing was especially happy.

"My first movie is Taichi 2. I discovered that life is full of miracles; It seemed as if all my years of rigorous martial arts training was to prepare for my life in the entertainment arena. Through acting, I have known more about and become more true to myself. I also have clear goals. I treat every opportunity very seriously, carefully grabbing every role. Being serious is an investment for my future. I hope I will be able to demonstrate Chinese kungfu to the whole world. And to reach this goal, I have been working very hard."

With a benign scholarly look and transcendental martial arts skills, Wu Jing has in the recent years created movie and drama serial characters that are known throughout many households. After Taichi 2, Master of Taichi yet again made known and shocked the industry with his benevolent appearance and martial arts talent. Apart from Ah Fei from Swordsman Lee of Flying Dagger, who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, before shooting almost every major martial arts productions, the directors would think of Wu Jing: New Shaolin Temple, The Aftermath of Water Margin, Whipped Horse Amid Roaring Wind and The Bigwig. Having done so many different roles, what role does Wu Jing wish to act as most? After some deep considerations, he says, "Linghu Chong, Yang Guo and some arts movies."

Moreover, with Wu Jing on the set doing the action scenes, it could save the directors the expenses of hiring stunt doubles. Wonder which smart directors would realise this bonus!

Talking of Wu Jing personality, friends critics are most straight forward: Need not act, as he's already a living example of Linghu Chong, a character in Jin Yong's Wandering Insouciantly throughout the Martial Arts World. The temperament of this hero resulted him in becoming a close friend of Jin De-Mao - Big Brother Jin. The two of them found each other to be highly compatible and got along very well on their first meeting.

Jin De-Mao is also a very important person in Wu Jing's life. With Brother Jin's background as a director, he taught the young and straight-forward Wu Jing many things and bits of wisdoms concerning life in the industry, including sincerity, true love and genuine feelings. He dotes very much on this kungfu youngster and takes good care of him. As such, Wu Jing would also look for Brother Jin to discuss family matters.

Wu Jing has always enjoyed good affinity with people. His hard and powerful fists belie his softness. This reporter inevitably jested, "Is it because you've acted as monk for a quite a few times and have become particularly kind hearted?"

Jin De-Mao, who was by his side, laughed, "He's like that since young. Those friends around him would first think of Wu Jing whenever anything urgent happened, while Hero Wu would always try his very best to help solve their problems. The income of a big star like Wu Jing is in no way measly. A pity it goes as fast as it comes. Every time, during a drama's production, he would fork out his own money and treat every production member iced drinks. Sometime, he even treated the whole group a meal. Thus, for each project, Wu Jing would have spent twenty to thirty thousand China Yuan Renminbis. Moreover, being a law-abiding citizen who pays the taxes, what's left would not have been much."

Curious, this reporter asked, "Don't you feel it a pity to have spent so much hard earned money on treats?"

Wu smiled," The working team, the behind-the-scenes heroes, have laboured very hard and the success of each project can be attributed to them. It's incumbent upon me to treat them. They're the real stars."

As such, the money was gone but he has friends all over the world. The more friends you have, the more chances you have to make money - This might be Wu Jing's way of earning money.

Wu Jing loves car. While he is so busy that he could hardly afford time to sleep in the night, he still  buys and reads car magazines regularly. He showed much enthusiasm and professionalism about cars. During a journey in the car, Wu Jing, with his acute sense, was able to hear that there was something amiss with rear right wheel, while others couldn't hear detect what's happening. When everyone went out to have a look, they discovered that there was indeed some problems with the right wheel.

When enquired about when he wished to buy a car, Wu Jing ruminated, "I wish very much to have my own car but I don't have time drive it. Most of the time, I am on location. It would be not of much use even if I were to buy one. Besides, almost all my money were being lent away, being spent on giving treats."

Moreover, if he were to buy a car, this writer fear he might have lots of worries.

Wu Jing's other major hobby is photography. During the making of TV series or movies, Wu Jing often volunteers to do photography. Many production pictures were taken by him. Some one joked that even if he decided not to act anymore, photography could also be a good career. Wu Jing said that he would never give up his acting career, but neither would he give up his photography hobby. This could also be considered as Wu Jing's method of managing assets.

Courtesy of Christine Lotus

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