From Brain Surgery to Big Screen Glory: Lawrence Wong’s Sweet but Sweat‑Crowned Rise
Lawrence Wong says the taste of success is undeniably sweet—yet many may not know that a hefty price tag was involved.
2016: A Double‑Edged Turning Point
- Braving the Hospital: “I was in hospital for brain hemangioma. The cost of the surgery wiped out all my savings,” Lawrence confides, a candid nudge at the financial toll of a life‑saving operation.
- The Loss of a Loved One: The same year his mother fell ill and passed away, adding a deep personal blow to the medical ordeal.
- A Career Shift: 2016 also marked the moment he decided to chart a new course in China. That bold move would later open doors to marquee roles.
Acting Milestones on the Rise
Since stepping onto the Chinese drama scene, Lawrence has graced eleven series during the last six years. His breakout came with the 2018 sensation Story of Yanxi Palace, positioning him firmly in audiences’ hearts.
New Project: “Summer Wind”
In the latest series, he once again dons a character described as “tall, rich and handsome” – a mirror image of the 34‑year‑old’s public persona. While the role feels familiar, he’s wary of being boxed in.
Worrying About Typecasting
- Lawrence voiced his concerns to the top brass at his management company, hoping to diversify his portfolio.
- He clarified that his push for variety isn’t born out of contempt for the current work; rather, it’s a genuine excitement to challenge himself across new acting terrains.
Through surgeon’s scalpel to daunting screen, Lawrence’s journey shows that the sweetness of success often demands a blend of resilience, sacrifice, and a dash of daring.
Getting all wrapped up… in cling film
Loving Summer, Hating Winter: “Summer Wind” on the Ice
When Lawrence shared the behind‑the‑scenes saga of filming Summer Wind, he joked that the production team accidentally mixed a snowstorm with a beach vacation. That’s because the crew chose a chilly Chongqing winter to shoot a story set on a sun‑bleached coast.
Padding In a Hug‑Not‑Fail World
It’s a laugh‑out‑loud palette: the actors wore bright, breezy lookbooks while the temperature dipped below zero. Lawrence even had to remove his shirt in a cold, non‑heated house, turning a mid‑summer fantasy into a literal, sore‑tummy reality.
When the director called for a night‑time rain sequence, the plot twist became real life:
- Lawrence fell ill, yet still had to smash his faces with downpours.
- He left no room for downtime, filming for 10 hours straight into dawn.
- To rescue his body temperature, wardrobe wrapped him like a human “film roll” thanks to the ingenious cling‑film trick.
Breath, Cold & Comedy
Asked about his breath, Lawrence quipped, “I could barely gulp, but freezing wasn’t a mercy either!” The wrap did keep him alive, which is a win, if you’re looking at job‑security over suntan.
And guess what? The Chinese crew’s salaries have a reputation to match. After Story of Yanxi Palace thundered onto screens, Lawrence revealed he earns as much as local actors in two years for a single drama—sounds like the pay scales are as far off‑beat as his wardrobe.
Seasonal Sizzle—Free Stream
Fans ready to wield these frosty theatrics can catch Summer Wind, featuring Liu Sichen, on meWATCH. Just hit the “+” sign—tune in on Nov 25, and get 100% free access, no cash required.
— Candice Cai / asiaone.com
