On the 14th, KBS2's 'Secrets of celebrity soldiers' will take an in-depth look at the life of the immortal star the late Zhang Guorong, whose influence remains "ongoing" even 23 years after his death.
▲ the bad news delivered on April Fools' Day, the impact left by Zhang Guorong's death
On Apr. 1, 2003, the manager waiting in front of the hotel for Zhang Guorong, who had said "I'll be there soon," heard a tremendous noise. Seeing someone collapsed, he thought it was a traffic accident and reported it. Feeling ominous, the manager followed to the hospital and eventually confirmed that the person was Zhang Guorong.
Police announced that Zhang Guorong threw himself from the 24th floor of the hotel and took his own life. The day the bad news was delivered was April Fools' Day. Because of that, many people could not accept this shocking news as fact, and it gave rise to numerous rumors and suspicions.
▲ if Zhang Guorong had not existed, Yu Jae-seok and Lim Young-woong would not exist?!
On that broadcast, rare footage of Zhang Guorong appearing on Korean programs in the 1990s will be revealed. Editor Joo Seong-cheol revealed that the sketch that became the debut springboard for the national MC Yu Jae-seok was a parody of Zhang Guorong's film, and that the name of the national singer Lim Young-woong was also influenced by "A Better Tomorrow," which surprised viewers. In response, Le Chanwon admitted that he too was a "product of fandom" and shared an episode about going on a pilgrimage to Hong Kong. Especially lamenting the now-disappeared payphone booth in "A Better Tomorrow," he vented to editor Joo Seong-cheol, "Why did they remove that?" which sent the studio into peals of laughter.
▲ the artistic spirit that did not break even amid the tyranny of the triad in the underworld
It delves into the reality of the triad, the criminal organization that terrorized Hong Kong's film industry in the '80s and '90s. From the kidnapping of actress Carina Lau to the shooting of Jet Li's manager, Zhang Guorong also suffered trials in the dark era, including being pressured into unfair film appearances. But instead of remaining silent, he chose works that showcased his artistic convictions, such as "Farewell My Concubine," building a singular filmography.
▲ the time Zhang Guorong endured behind the glamour
Not everything was given to Zhang Guorong from the start. He endured a lonely childhood he described as "having no happy memories," eight years of obscurity, and rude scrutiny about his sexual orientation. In particular, when the story of how his final dream of debuting as a film director was ruined by a massive financial fraud was revealed, guest Choi Yoojung deeply empathized with the isolation he must have felt and finally reddened her eyes.
The life of Zhang Guorong and the truths hidden behind his death will be revealed on KBS2's 'Secrets of celebrity soldiers' at 8:30 p.m. on the 14th.
[OSEN]