Ahead of the release of The Fire Raven, actress Zhang Junning appeared at a press conference on January 27 alongside director Ke Wenli. In the film, Zhang takes on a physically demanding role as a highly skilled police officer, marking one of her most action-intensive performances to date.
To prepare for the role, Zhang underwent two months of rigorous martial arts training, practicing for up to seven hours a day. At her physical peak, her body fat percentage dropped to just 13 percent. She described the experience as an extreme test of endurance, admitting that the intensity at times pushed her close to her limits.
According to Zhang, the training regimen involved daily sessions with a professional action team, including splits, aerial kicks, and free-fighting drills. Muscle soreness became a constant companion, making recovery tools essential. Despite maintaining such a low body fat level, she was required to eat frequently to compensate for the massive energy expenditure, often adding late-night meals to her regular diet. Due to the intensity of the workouts, she typically needed several changes of clothes each day.
Director Ke Wenli revealed that many action sequences originally designed for stunt doubles were ultimately performed by Zhang herself. He expressed deep admiration for her commitment, noting that certain scenes lose emotional authenticity when handled by stand-ins. When asked about capturing Zhang’s most flattering angles on camera, Ke joked that “the entire film looks beautiful,” drawing laughter from both Zhang and the audience.
The film also features Hou Yongxun, who plays a high school student murdered 15 years earlier. Making her film debut, Hou faced numerous challenges during production, including an underwater scene despite limited prior training. In another scene involving an ice bucket, an on-set mishap resulted in a real injury, with Zhang promptly stepping in to assist her co-star.
The Fire Raven has already achieved notable box office success in mainland China, grossing approximately RMB 336 million. Ke added lightheartedly that if the film’s Taiwan box office surpasses NTD 1 billion, the team plans to treat audiences to fried chicken and bubble tea. The film is scheduled for release in Taiwan on February 13.
