Zhang Yunlei arrived in Melbourne today with a huge extended family for a work-vacation.
Who knew the Chinese entertainment company with the most overseas performances (don’t quote me on that) would be a comedic group? I knew I should’ve stanned them earlier instead of artists who never come to America except to film commercials and MV’s. Four groups will be performing in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, Canada (two groups), the UnitedStates (two groups), and Dubai this September and November. Two groups have also performed in Japan, Thailand, and Vancouver earlier this year.
“When I was in the Intensive Care Unit, he promised me … ‘ In the future, whatever makes you happy, whatever you want to do, go do it and I’ll follow you.’ ” – Zhang Yunlei
Yang Jiulang kept his word. According to a director of a variety show, in the two years since Zhang Yunlei came out of the ICU, Yang Jiulang completely molded himself to fit Zhang Yunlei.
He would wheel him around in a wheelchair off stage and be his crutch on stage. He would stay up until 3am waiting for word that Zhang Yunlei got home safely from filming. He doesn’t even hand Zhang Yunlei water without first unscrewing the cap. He almost never sings but knows the lyrics to every song Zhang Yunlei sings on stage. If Zhang Yunlei wants him to sing, all Zhang Yunlei has to do was to stop mid-sentence and look to the left, and Yang Jiulang will finish his sentence without missing a beat.
From love at first meal, two miraculous comebacks, learning to walk three times, to plenty of foreshadowing and climaxes, the story of singer-comedian Zhang Yunlei and his partner Yang Jiulang unfolds as if it were a carefully constructed drama. Zhang Yunlei’s life story is a miracle in itself, but the story of their journey together is a fitting parallel plot.
*warning* Because they’re comedians, everything they say is a lie or a hyperbole. I will try to stick to off-stage interviews here, but I hold no responsibility for recounting lies they fed me.
” May we never again face separation in neither life nor death. Thank you to all the powers that be that let me still be by your side. ” – Yang Jiulang to Zhang Yunlei
Here are ten off-stage exchanges between the most romantic and dramatic duo, singer-comedian Zhang Yunlei and his partner Yang Jiulang. Their on-stage lines are also super cute (ex: “I don’t need friends, just Yang Jiulang. ” “It’s not that I can’t play the lead, but I just want to be the supporting actor to you.”)
If you’re interested in seeing them live, they will be headlining their first overseas event in New Zealand and Australia this September. More info here.
“It’s not that I can’t play the lead, but I just want to be the supporting actor to you.” – Yang Jiulang (while in-character)
You might not be able to tell by his talk or gait, but Zhang Yunlei has lived with 108 iron nails inside his body for two years after surviving a 20m (65 ft) fall (he was drunk). The nails were only removed a month ago.
One of last year’s biggest breakout pop idols, xiangsheng comedian, Ping opera, Peking opera , xiaoqu, etc. artist Zhang Yunlei and his partner Yang Jiulang will finally be headlining their first international event this year. The pair will be at the Melbourne Convention Centre on September 23, The Star Event Centre in Sydney on September 29, and in Auckland on the 26th.
Tickets for Sydney are already on sale through Wechat (QR code below), and tickets for Melbourne go on sale at noon local time on April 20th here. Tickets for Auckland go on sale on the 23rd here.
The closest thing xiangsheng has gotten to a concert.