In recent years, mountaineering has become a major trend, and there are plenty of functional mountaineering clothing and gear options to choose from. These pieces not only provide warmth and protection in high altitudes but also block wind, rain, and offer breathability in urban environments. However, when it comes to pulling off stylish mountaineering-inspired outfits, many people still hesitate, fearing they might end up with an awkward look. We invited Wang Dalu and Li Yuxi—new-generation heartthrobs made famous by *My Youth*—to don a variety of vibrant mountaineering gear and mix it with luxury fashion for a surprising crossover. Together, they showcase an urban outdoor vibe that proves mountain-style guys can be super fashionable.
New-Generation Heartthrobs Face Off
Wang Dalu and Li Yuxi, who are around the same age, bonded over *My Youth*. In the drama, they played classmates who overcame misunderstandings, and off-screen, they became good friends through the intensive filming process. Although they’ve become beloved new national idols thanks to the show, Wang Dalu remains like an innocent big kid. Coming in tired and visibly unwell from lack of sleep the previous night, he powered through the photoshoot and interview with great professionalism. Meanwhile, Li Yuxi, who played the good student and school heartthrob in the drama, is actually a humorous and reserved guy in real life. A singer-turned-actor, he says he wants to pivot toward becoming a comedian next and hopes to take on villain or psychopath roles in the future.
Because Wang Dalu has a laid-back personality off-camera, both his martial arts instructor and diving coach were especially strict with him. “They’re just looking out for me. Compared to Eddie Peng and Donnie Yen, what am I really?” There’s a lot of fight choreography in the film—did he have to learn how to fight? “During filming, someone even stepped on my face!” he said. “The martial arts team had rehearsed everything—the order of who steps where and when—but after so many takes, someone ended up stepping right on my face. There’s even a shoe print left on it. I was so mad—I couldn’t even find out who did it.”
*My Youth* is set in the 1990s and features a lot of retro elements, including the costumes. The young actors, all in their early 20s, had to portray characters in an analog era they never experienced. Director Chen Yushan assigned them plenty of homework, including acting training, listening to music from that time, and learning the slang. The two, who didn’t know how to ride motorcycles, learned to ride heavy bikes for the film and both earned their motorcycle licenses. Li Yuxi fell off a bike on his first try. “I got through the actual shoot fine, but I got pretty badly hurt during the fall—the wound was deep and took over three months to heal.” Lead actor Wang Dalu also had to learn rollerblading, swimming, and martial arts—all within a month. “That’s how you know how tired I was,” he joked, adding that passing his motorcycle test felt like a miracle. He also had a bike accident during filming. “The bike stalled and tipped over, and Jian Tingrui fell off the back. Thankfully, she was okay. No one saw it happen, so we didn’t tell anyone.”
After filming wrapped, the cast became good friends. As the promotional tour neared its end, Wang Dalu remarked with emotion, “I was taking a nap in the lounge earlier, and when I saw Li Yuxi walking around nearby, I suddenly felt a bit sad about saying goodbye.” Having been in the industry for seven years, Wang Dalu experienced his first taste of stardom with *My Youth*. He’d long known he loved acting, though as a kid, he once thought he could get by on good looks and cleverness. “Acting using just clever tricks might get you by quickly, but you won’t last long that way.” After the movie, he officially became a disciple of acting coach Hsu Chieh-hui, nurturing dreams of becoming a comedic actor. With *My Youth* as a solid start, Wang Dalu is ready to prove his dedication to becoming a great actor through more outstanding performances.
(Magazine Selection)