Sporting chance gives actor his big role

"When I first learned horse riding, the greatest challenge was overcoming my fear when releasing the reins, like a driver letting go of the steering wheel," Yu recalls.

His equestrian skills were a pivotal part of the 6-month-long training required by director Wuershan for the Creation of the Gods trilogy, which was filmed consecutively over 18 months, mostly in Qingdao.

"I systematically learned equestrian and archery for three years in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, after wrapping up the shoot," Yu recalls.

The curriculum spans a range of subjects, from the history of horse domestication to the distinctive characteristics of war horses in different dynasties, as well as the evolutionary chronicles of cavalry armor and weaponry.

With a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, Yu also serves as the equestrian and archery instructor for To the Wonder, executing his own intricate stunts while ensuring the safety of the other horse riders and assisting in guiding the cinematography aesthetics of such action scenes.

"It's not just about riding fast and aiming to shoot the target accurately. The actors need to know when they should pause for a close-up shot or when they should make some movements," he explains.

Meanwhile, he dedicated six months to learning the Kazak language to vividly portray his role. "In those days, my script often consisted of three lines: Chinese, Kazak and pinyin. The pinyin was a mnemonic aid for mastering pronunciation. I can't read Kazak, so I had to use this 'simple' method. If they revised the lines, I had to memorize them all again," he adds, laughing.

But his memories in Altay, the filming location, are full of vitality and breathtaking beauty. Joining other cast members, he arrived in Altay in late April last year, during the transition from winter to spring.

"Back then, the snow up on the mountains hadn't melted all the way and the grass was just poking through the dirt. Taking it all in, there was this sort of lonely, yet peaceful beauty," he recalls, adding that during the shoot, he visited the families of herdsmen to delve deeper into his role. "The locals were so welcoming, kind and genuine. Those days really stuck with me. Even back in Beijing, I still love that grassland vibe, keeping it simple and focusing on what truly matters to me, avoiding all the unnecessary noise."

Now, being busily engaged in shooting a new project, Yu is also nurturing his dream of becoming a director.