On an ordinary night in Beijing in 2005, 25-year-old Xiao Yang and 36-year-old Wang Taili met unexpectedly in a music bar.
Despite the age difference of 11 years, the two hit it off at first sight, like old friends who haven't seen each other for many years. They chatted late into the night, their eyes sparkling with their love for music and their hopes for the future.
"Although we are different ages, we have the same dreams." Wang Taili said with a smile, the wrinkles in the corners of his eyes hide the vicissitudes of time. Xiao Yang nodded in agreement, and his young face was full of determination.
In this way, two people who have never known each other have become comrades-in-arms on each other's way forward because of their common musical dreams. Two years later, in 2007, the opportunity came. Xiao Yang and Wang Taili collaborated on the short film "Memoirs of a Male Geisha".
As soon as this work was released, it caused quite a stir on the Internet. People were attracted to their unique comedy style, and the name "Chopsticks Brothers" began to circulate on the Internet.
However, the two who tasted the sweetness of success for the first time did not have smooth sailing. The next few attempts ended in failure, and even suffered serious losses. They face tremendous financial and psychological pressure.
"We were really desperate." Xiao Yang recalled, with a hint of bitterness in his voice. Wang Taili nodded silently, his eyes revealing the helplessness at that time. The weight of life forced them to separate temporarily.
Xiao Yang stayed in Beijing to continue looking for opportunities, while Wang Taili returned to his hometown. But the flame of the dream has not been extinguished, it is quietly burning in their hearts, waiting for the moment to burst out again.
"We know it's only temporary." Wang Taili said firmly, "We will definitely work together again to realize our musical dreams together." In this way, the Chopsticks brothers spent the first two years of their acquaintance.
Although there have been ups and downs, their friendship and love of music have always been the same. This experience became an important cornerstone of their future success, and also laid a solid emotional foundation for their next musical career.
On June 25, 2009, the sudden death of Michael ·, the king of pop music, shook the global music industry like a thunderclap.
For Wang Taili, who has always regarded Jackson as an idol, the blow is particularly heavy. Late at night, Wang Taili picked up the phone and dialed Xiao Yang's number with trembling fingers.
Wang Taili's voice was choked, "Every musician's spiritual sustenance Michael · Jackson has passed away, we should really do something." This sentence was like a lightning bolt, instantly igniting the long-dormant creative passion in the hearts of the two.
After hanging up the phone, Wang Taili immediately threw himself into creation. He chose the Japan song "Thank You" and began to rewrite the lyrics. Lines of affectionate lyrics flowed from his pen: "Life is like a ruthless carving knife, changing our appearance, will it wither before it blooms, I have dreams."
When Wang Taili finished his creation and sat in the subway listening to his humming and recording samples, he couldn't help crying. This song not only expresses their innermost hesitation and persistence, but also a deep reflection on their own lives.
By chance, they got the opportunity to participate in the youth series film project. Although the organizers only provided funding for a 10-minute video, Xiao Yang and Wang Taili decided to shoot a full-length 40-minute short film.
For this dream, the two resolutely quit their jobs and devoted themselves to creation. "We thought, either don't do it, or do it and do the best." Xiao Yang recalled, his eyes shining with determination.
During the filming, they faced unprecedented challenges. Funds are tight, and team members help out without compensation. What's even more heart-wrenching is that at this critical moment, Wang Taili's father was diagnosed with advanced lymphoma.
Wang Taili endured her grief and ran between the crew and the hospital. "I think every day that I must let my father see the day I succeed." He choked up, his eyes full of reluctance and regret.
Despite the difficulties, they gritted their teeth and persevered. Finally, "Oldboy" came out. With its sincere emotions and profound themes, this work quickly became an Internet hit, with a click rate of more than 10 million.
The theme song of the same name has become the golden song of the year and has been covered by countless people with tears. "I really didn't expect such a big response at the time," Xiao Yang recalled, "We just wanted to tell our story well, and we didn't expect it to resonate with so many people."
The success of "Old Boy" made the Chopsticks Brothers a hot star overnight. They were invited to perform on stage at major galas, and their singing spread all over the country.
However, behind this seemingly brilliant scene, Wang Taili has always been haunted by a deep regret in his heart - his father did not wait for "Old Boy" to be completed. "Before my dad died,
I didn't see this film online," Wang Taili said in a low voice, tears in his eyes, "In front of my father, I haven't made him happy in my life, he walked with the impression that 'this child will not succeed in his life, and he will not succeed in his life'."
"Old Boy" is not only a turning point in the career of the Chopsticks brothers, but also an important milestone in their lives. It bears witness to their persistence and dedication, and also carries their persistent pursuit of dreams.
With the popularity of "Old Boy", Xiao Yang and Wang Taili became the focus of attention overnight. Fame brings not only applause and praise, but also unexpected troubles.
Suddenly, they had more "friends" around them. Xiao Yang recalled in a program: "Once at about 2 o'clock in the middle of the night, the phone suddenly rang, and a not too familiar voice came from the other end of the phone.
'We're singing your songs, we all like your songs, you tell your buddies...... Say...... Say a few words. Xiao Yang had a helpless smile on his face, "I had to talk to them cooperatively, it was really helpless and funny."
Wang Taili also sighed: "Rich have distant relatives in the mountains, and this sentence is very suitable for us now." There are suddenly a lot of friends in the family, and they all want to see the style of the popular star.
However, behind this seemingly brilliant scene, Wang Taili has always been haunted by a deep regret in his heart. His father died before "Oldboy" was finished, and he didn't get to see the day his son succeeded.
Whenever he thought of his father's dying words, Wang Taili felt like a knife. "Before my dad died, he always felt that I wasn't doing anything serious," Wang Taili recalled, his voice full of guilt, "and he said to me, 'You're not too young, and now I'm leaving, and I can't help you in the future.'"
These words have been echoing in my heart for a long time, and I can't let go of them. In order to comfort his father's spirit in the sky, Wang Taili composed the song "Father". The lyrics read: "Am I your pride? Still worried about me?
The child you care about, grow up, thank you for having you along the way......" Whenever he sang this song, there were always tears in his eyes, and his voice was full of longing and guilt for his father.
Xiao Yang empathizes with his good brother's heart. He recalled: "At that time, we were desperately trying to catch up with the schedule, hoping to make a short film come out before Wang Taili's father passed away, so that the elderly could see their son's work.
Unfortunately, the reality is cruel, and we still can't get our hope in the end. Becoming famous as the Chopsticks Brothers has brought a take-off in their careers, but it has also made them more deeply appreciate the ups and downs of life.
In the spotlight, they not only have to face sudden fame and fortune, but also learn how to balance career and family affection, and how to succeed while not forgetting their original intentions. This experience became one of the most memorable chapters in their life's journey.
As time passed, Xiao Yang and Wang Taili's career trajectories began to diverge, but they always maintained their support and understanding of each other's dreams.
Xiao Yang has never given up his dream of directing. In 2015, he returned from his studies in Hollywood and was ready to make a big splash. By chance, he got a cameo role in Chen Sicheng's "Detective Chinatown".
"At that time, I just wanted to give it a try, but I didn't expect such a good response," Xiao Yang recalled, his eyes glinting with excitement. This small role unexpectedly received a lot of positive reviews, opening the door to showbiz for him.
Next, Xiao Yang's performance in the "Manslaughter" series of movies is even more amazing. Although there are occasional doubts as an actor from a non-academic background, he has won wide recognition for his sincere emotional interpretation.
"I may still be lacking in acting skills, but I will use my true feelings to impress the audience," Xiao Yang said modestly. His hard work has paid off, and now he has become one of the first-line powerful actors in China, and his worth has also risen.
In contrast, Wang Taili chose to temporarily withdraw from public view. He continues to focus on music, and although he no longer appears in public frequently, he is still quietly cultivating his music career.
"I didn't disappear, I just chose a different direction in life," Wang Taili explained, with a little helplessness in his tone, "Everyone has their own pursuits, and I prefer to focus on creation now."
Although there are many speculations about Wang Taili's "disappearance", and some people even accuse Xiao Yang of forgetting his former good brother, the relationship between the two has not been affected by this.
"We are chopstick brothers, indispensable and never broken." Xiao Yang said firmly in an interview, "We just have different interests, one likes music, the other wants to be a director, and this will not affect our relationship and cooperation."
Wang Taili also said: "I am sincerely happy for Xiao Yang's achievements. We each pursued our dreams in our own fields, which is exactly why we formed the Chopsticks Brothers in the first place.
Although on the surface it seems that one shines and the other fades out, Xiao Yang and Wang Taili are both holding on to their original dreams in their own way. Their stories show us that there is not only one path to success, and that sincere friendships will not change because of differences in career development.
Despite the different career trajectories, the brotherhood between Xiao Yang and Wang Taili has never changed. They will still help each other stand on the platform at important moments, and interpret the oath of "chopsticks brothers, indispensable and never broken" with practical actions.
At the premiere of "Manslaughter 2", Wang Taili's surprise appearance made Xiao Yang excited. "My family is here," Xiao Yang blurted out, and this sentence expressed the relationship between the two as a family.
Wang Taili also smiled and patted Xiao Yang's shoulder, his eyes full of support and encouragement for his good brother. They occasionally appear together, such as participating in "Tucao Conference" together.
In the face of questions from the outside world about their parting of ways, the two responded in a humorous way, showing that their relationship is still close. Xiao Yang will canvass for Wang Taili's daughter to participate in the talent show, and Wang Taili will promote Xiao Yang's new work.
This act of mutual support is not only a recognition of each other's careers, but also a cherishment of this friendship for many years. "We don't need to prove our relationship to everyone," Mr. Wang said in an interview, "because we will always be inseparable 'chopsticks brothers.'"
Xiao Yang also said: "Brother Taili is like my own brother. No matter how our respective careers develop, this friendship will not change. This pair of old friends proved with practical actions that sincere friendship can transcend the test of time and fame and fortune, and always shine with a warm and firm light.