George Hu on playing the villain, daily romances and new challenges
published in enya Fashion Queen issue #198, find the original interview in Chinese here; © 2023 enya Fashion Queen, all rights reserved
With a head of light golden curls, George Hu is almost unrecognizable in his new look, but as always, his energetic greeting brings life to the studio. Running around, his adorable furry friend seems to have become his best working partner. “Taking good care of Chelsea and giving her a happy life is my biggest responsibility right now.” His heartfelt confession and tender gaze not only showcase his devotion to his loved ones, but also beccome a testament to the responsibilities he shoulders as a mature gentleman.
Modern Style
Thanks to his next acting role, Hu got the opportunity to go through a major transformation. After three hair-dyeing sessions and a week of adaptation, he was able to completely get into character and unleash the antagonist inside of him. “I got to play the villain this time, which the director gave me a lot of space to express myself with my performance. It was quite liberating.” Straying away from his usual positive roles, Hu saw this performance as a significant milestone, a chance to show everyone a completely different version of himself through exploring the dark side of his character. It was also a testament to the versatility and infinite possibilities being an actor entailed. Smiling, he admitted his current hairstyle is his favorite look so far. Regarding the qualities a gentleman should possess, Hu believes it is essential to be courteous and well-dressed. “You have to put yourself in a ‘Ladies First’ mindset. It can be as simple as holding the door open for the people behind you, especially for women or the elderly. I think that is what being a gentleman should be about.” In particular, Hu recommends investing in shoes and watches, as they can add a touch of sophistication to everyday wear. If possible, he suggests purchasing five suits in different colors – black, gray, blue, khaki and brown are the ones perfect for any occasion. He also shares his love for the color blue, which not only exude a mysterious and calm allure, but also fulfill his childhood admiration towards the navy and the fearless spirit they carry. Perhaps it is also Tom Cruise and the dashing charm he showed in Top Gun: Maverick that influenced Hu and his understanding of a mature man.
Daily Romances
Everyone has that one go-to romantic film, one that adds a touch of romantic imagination to our mundane lives. For Hu, The Holiday, A Walk to Remember and About Time are the ones that left an impression on him. Of everything, the Blockbuster scene in The Holiday – a heartwarming piece he often revisits with his partner – resonated with him the most. “I remember how we used to go to Blockbuster to look for DVDs and it was romantic, a way for couples to build their connection. It was something that belonged to our era and I miss it.” When it comes to any relationship, communication is always the key. In the face of opposing opinions, Hu believes staying calm and giving it some thought are the best approaches. If it comes down to having an argument, he always adheres to one principle – never do or say something that you will regret. “You never know what might happen in the future, or how the other person is going to interpret your words. Saying hurtful things simply because you are in the heart of the moment is very irresponsible.” After years of being together, Hu has developed a certain understanding with his partner. For example, they’d often hum the same song at the same time or somehow plan the same itinerary on the same day – it is as if an invisible thread is quietly connecting the two together. “If we are ever on a game show where we get to guess each other’s thoughts, we will definitely come in first place. It gets to the point where sometimes we think it’s kind of scary. I’d even say to myself, ‘No way, that’s so gross!’” Unable to contain his smile, Hu is radiating with a blissful atmosphere that permeates the studio as he shares these sweet moments. He also further reveals that the moment he saw her enjoying quality time with his family in ease, he knew she is the one. To become a mature partner, he points out one should possess three qualities – emotional stability, the ability to solve problems and maintain optimism. Especially as time passes, it is important to break free from the constraints of age and appearances, as he constantly reminds himself that everything is a part of life’s journey. Only by adjusting his mindset and perspective is he able to understand the wisdom and wonders of life.
Flavors of Life
Recently, the “lie-flat” movement has emerged in Western workplaces and is slowly being adapted by the younger generation in China. Rather than striving to meet societal expectations, why don’t we choose to stand back and do nothing? In response to this phenomenon, Hu believes that it stemmed, to some extent, from the environment built by society. “Especially during the pandemic, life was constantly changing. If you choose not to change along with it, you are basically wasting your own life. Life is too precious for us to do that.” To office workers who feel tired or lost, he encourages them to take some time off and spend time away from work to rediscover their sense of self. By filtering out excessive noises, they will further gain a deeper understanding of the ideal values they wish to pursue in life. When it comes to the source of passion in life, extreme sports is Hu’s best answer. Through challenging himself to overcome the impossible, it feels like he is truly alive. “Fear is also a part of life, but don’t be so afraid to the point where you are unable to do anything; you will miss all the fun.” Having recently picked up cooking, he aspires to make it a side job in the future. At first, it was simply a hobby he found interesting. As he self-taught himself by following recipes, the dishes he made, such as Japanese ramen or Vietnamese pho, gradually gained popularity among friends and family. “People always ask what my signature dish is. The truth is I don’t really have one because I try to cook something different everyday. Even if I don’t get to eat and spend the whole day in the kitchen cooking, it brings me joy to see the happy expressions on my family’s face when they enjoy the meal.”
Self Sublimation
The theme of time travel has been gaining popularity in recent years and it perhaps can all be traced back to the sci-fi film, Back to the Future. If given the chance, Hu says he would choose to travel to the future. “I want to see what it will be like, if there will be different species, flying cars, or if it’s possible to live in space. I want to know if the future will become worse or more advanced.” Setting eyes on the next ten years, what would George Hu be like? He predicts that he will have more responsibilities after he enters the next stage of life, while still trying to maintain the quality of living. Chuckling, he sees himself becoming a strict father, but also a very chill adult. “The ultimate reward from my children would be a simple thank you. I might become too strict or too relaxed, but I hope they will understand the reason behind my teaching and the lessons that come with it.” As the young boy who left home and ventured into the entertainment industry in Taiwan, he reflects on the time that has passed and the experiences he has accumulated with a deep sense of gratitude. Looking at the present, he trusts his acting career in the hands of time as he awaits for the perfect opportunity to present itself. “I don’t really have a specific role I want to challenge, as long as the character is unique, then that’s enough. Regardless of the role, waiting is very important because when the opportunity comes, it all comes down to who is better prepared.” Behind such a relaxed and calm attitude towards life hides years of dedication and hard work that appears invisible on the surface. As George Hu shares his life with a confident and content demeanor, suddenly, it isn’t hard to comprehend the depth and width of his life journey and everything that he’d learned from it.