Zhang says he chose the role because it is challenging, as the protagonist is not a hardcore hero at the start but gradually evolves into one. It is this transformation that is so gripping.

"Chen was not heroic at all in the beginning of the story," says Zhang. "Before being enlightened by patriotism, he was just an ordinary person who only cared about ensuring that he and his sister would survive those turbulent days."

In reality, Zhang relishes challenges. He says that as a young actor his passion for the craft grew stronger as roles on screen and stage came his way.

It is not only the thriller genre that he has mastered. Two years ago, he played two roles in the experimental theatrical work, The Three Sisters Waiting for Godot, directed by Lin Zhaohua and toured to Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities in the country.

"The experience gave me plenty of time to immerse myself in the story and to rehearse again and again," says Zhang who highlights the importance of theater where "I can immediately receive feedback from an audience".

In recent years, it has become a trend for espionage TV series to cast young actors and actresses as characters who end up romantically involved as part of the plot to attract a wider audience.

Sun Hao, director of Awakening of Insects, points out that some handsome or beautiful actors might fail to deliver an emotional performance that the audience can relate to. Beauty can sometimes get in the way of authenticity.

Fortunately, Zhang, Sun says, has the depth of range to bring the audience and viewers with him.

"A high-quality spy drama should be based on a well-grounded storyline and relationships between the characters," says Sun. "After all, no matter how audiences' tastes change, they will always be attracted by compelling tales."

Zhang adds that a clear realization of a character, flaws and all, is important for the young performers like him.

"When judging my performance is successful or not," he says, "I would take into consideration not only whether the character is popular among viewers, but also whether my performance rationally presents a full picture of the character's personality."

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