China News Service, Kaifeng, March 31st: Kaifeng “Wang Po”: Encourage young people to keep their eyes open and pursue love bravely
Author: Liu Pengkanli Li Chaoqing Fan Xiaoheng
Recently, the "Mother-in-law's Matchmaking" program in the Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City in Kaifeng, Henan has become popular, driving the popularity of local cultural tourism to continue to rise, attracting a large number of young people to go to this former capital of the Song Dynasty to experience the various urban culture of the Song Dynasty and look forward to an encounter. A different kind of "Song Yun's good relationship".
"Wang Po's matchmaking" scene. Photo by Liu Peng
Blind date is an important part of ancient Chinese marriage customs. As the ancient capital of eight dynasties, Kaifeng was the birthplace and main formation place of Song culture. "Tokyo Menghua Lu" contains records of the customs and etiquette of "blind dates" between men and women in the Song Dynasty, and some Song-style folk wedding culture has been preserved to this day.
With the popularity of the "Wang Po Matchmaking" program, Zhao Mei, the 61-year-old "Wang Po" actor, has also soared in popularity due to her humorous hosting style and superb ability to control the situation. "Everyone says it's good to be single, but they all go to Kaifeng to find the 'Wang Po'; they say long live being single, but they all go to Kaifeng to line up." For a time, Zhao Mei was dubbed by netizens as "Yue Lao's No. 1 best seller" ".
Why does "Wang Po's Matchmaking" resonate so much? What does it reflect on young people's views on marriage and love today? How does it help the ancient capital's culture and tourism? On March 30, a reporter from China News Network rushed to Kaifeng to have a conversation with Zhao Mei and listen to her views on this.
Talking about playing the role of "Wang Po", Zhao Mei said that it was related to her extroverted personality. "Because my father-in-law and husband are both crosstalkers, I have been influenced by them all year round, and I have developed a character that loves to talk and laugh."
Zhao Mei introduced that she has been playing the role of "Wang Po" for six or seven years, but it has always been a specific entertainment role, such as rapping and singing, interacting with tourists and throwing hydrangeas, etc., in order to show the market side of Goulan Washe in the Song Dynasty. There is no mention of matchmaking.
"Until last year, by chance, a boy who received a hydrangea told me that he was single, so I improvised and asked the girls in the audience if they liked this handsome guy. Unexpectedly, a little girl actually came up to me. "Zhao Mei told reporters that this incident gave her a lot of inspiration. Nowadays, many young people are busy with work, and they are lonely and long for love from the bottom of their hearts.
With her husband's encouragement and after thorough discussion, Zhao Mei decided to do something for single young people. As a result, the entertainment program she was responsible for became a matchmaking program. As the show continues to become popular, the performance length has also been extended from about ten minutes at the beginning to an hour now.
"Wang Po's matchmaking" scene. Photo by Liu Peng
Talking about advice to young people, Zhao Mei said based on her own experience: "I used to be a 'crazy for love' person. Although I was born in Luoyang, I married to Kaifeng for love when I was in my 20s. This is all because of me. I have determined that my husband is my 'right man.'" Zhao Mei said with a smile that although the two of them sometimes quarrel like young people, they must learn to manage each other. Only in this way can they go further. .
In Zhao Mei's view, young people should be brave enough to pursue love. If you don't date, you will never meet the right person. "As long as the 'three views' are in harmony, nothing else matters. Which boys and girls are not working hard today? People may be poor today, but God rewards hard work, and they may succeed tomorrow. This is something that no one can figure out. , unless you 'lie down', then it's really unreliable. In short, as I said, just keep your eyes open and feel that this person is right, then follow him."
Although she is keen on matching single men and women, Zhao Mei repeatedly emphasized in the interview that young people must be more cautious and understanding when making friends, "Because most people are crazy when they are in love, otherwise why is it called 'love'" Where's the brain'?"
In response to the doubts about "trust" and other issues encountered after the show became popular, Zhao Mei responded: "I can guarantee my personality that my show is very clean, and I have repeatedly emphasized and appealed that this channel should be reserved for those who are truly responsible. People who need it.”
The show "Mother-in-Law's Matchmaking" was crowded with people. Photo by Liu Peng
The "Mother-in-law's Matchmaking" scene was crowded with people. The popularity of the show has also driven the popularity of local cultural tourism to a certain extent. To this end, Kaifeng officials have launched a "general mobilization", hoping to take over this "tremendous wealth", bring a better experience to tourists, and further promote the integrated development of culture and tourism.
In this regard, Zhao Mei said that Kaifeng was the capital of the Song Dynasty in ancient times. Now more and more people are paying attention to her hometown. As long as her health allows, she will spare no effort to stand on every shift and serve single young people. "Some of them call me mom when they go on stage. This is a huge amount of trust. I have to be worthy of them." (End)