Behind the Scenes: Chinese Actor Ding Yuxi on a Faux Horse in Period Drama
Chinese actor Ding Yuxi was recently seen riding a fake horse in the period drama “The Legend of Shan He,” with at least four crew members assisting him. On August 5, a video of Yuxi on set in Hengdian, Zhejiang Province, gained attention on social media. The footage, captured by a paparazzo specializing in Hengdian, shows the filming began in April and wrapped up at the end of July.
The 29-year-old actor, dressed in armor, was filmed performing a battle scene. Crew members operated the fake horse to simulate movement while Yuxi acted as if he were charging towards an opponent, with his cloak billowing dramatically.
On Red Book, some viewers criticized Ding Yuxi’s performance, arguing that the use of a prop horse appeared forced and lacked realism. However, thousands of fans defended him, stating that the props were used to ensure safety. According to QQ, Yuxi did ride real horses during the filming and had trained with a horse-riding instructor to master the skills needed for the role.
“The Legend of Shan He” is based on the novel of the same name by Mo Shu Bai, featuring Ding Yuxi as the young general Wei Yun, who teams up with the character Su You, played by Tong Liya, to uncover the truth behind Su You’s father’s death.
Ding Yuxi has been in the industry for seven years, known for his role as Dongfang Bubai in “The Smiling, Proud Wanderer” (2018). He gained further recognition with roles in “A Poem of Peace,” “The Legend of Chusen,” “Moonlight Melody,” and “The Spring Dream.”
This version highlights key details and provides context about the actor and the production, while addressing both the criticism and support from fans.