Filmmaker Chen Kaige’s Son Arthur Chen Lines Up to Apply for Beijing Film Academy

Braving the daunting cold, Ever Night <将夜> lead star Arthur Chen (陈飞宇), the son of filmmaker Chen Kaige (陈凯歌) and actress Chen Hong (陳紅), was one of the 60,000 students queuing to score a spot at the the acclaimed Beijing Film Academy. Despite being dubbed as China’s rising “little fresh meat” – the Chinese saying for handsome young guys – the 18-year-old did not rely on connections but auditioned fair and square for the largest film school in Asia.

Although Arthur tried not to bring attention to himself while on line, reporters spotted him waiting in a big black coat and a white mask. It is no surprise to see him interested in joining the prestigious school, as some of the most highly regarded filmmakers and Mainland Chinese actors hail from the institution. However, Arthur is not too shabby himself, achieving astounding success with his first television drama, Ever Night, when its premiere broke 170 million views.

The up and coming newcomer first got a taste of acting at the age of 10, portraying a young king in his dad’s film Sacrifice <赵氏孤儿>. Seven years later, he made his official acting debut in the coming-of-age movie Secret Fruit <秘果>, playing the male lead and releasing three songs for the film’s OST. Arthur then starred in Ever Night, and last year he was casted in the youth campus film With You <最好的我们>, as well as fantasy adventure drama Legend of Awakening <天醒之路>.

The institution reportedly only enrolled 520 talents for its 2019 school year.