“二郎神” or “Erlang Shen” is a term used by netizens to refer to the act of loving someone of the same age. Who is this Erlang Shen character that netizens are talking about in the 1986 version of Journey to the West? And what interesting behind-the-scenes stories does he have to offer?
Possessing 72 divine powers that gave Monkey King a hard time
In Journey to the West, Erlang Shen is one of the three characters that even Monkey King found hard to defeat. He is also one of the three most handsome supporting male characters in the movie.
Erlang Shen in the 1986 version of Journey to the West.
Erlang Shen, also known as Erlang Zhenjun, Yang Jian, or Xiao Sheng, is the second son of Yang Tianyou (a mortal) and Yaoji, the Princess of Heaven (Jade Emperor’s younger sister). In terms of relationship, this character is the Jade Emperor’s nephew.
Erlang Shen is known as the God of War in Heaven, possessing 72 divine transformation powers and having slain six types of demons. He has a supporting force consisting of Mai Shan’s six brothers and 1200 Shentao gods.
This character’s treasure is the Three-Pronged Sword, which has never lost a battle and possesses unmatched strength. The sword is made from the Three-Headed Jiao Dragon, a powerful demon who once crushed Yaoji’s heart.
The most distinctive feature of Erlang Shen is his third eye on the forehead, called the Yin-Yang Eye, which can see things that ordinary people cannot. This eye serves as a demon-reflecting mirror, and even Monkey King’s transformations cannot escape its sight.
The Yin-Yang Eye – Erlang Shen’s third eye.
In the novel Journey to the West, when Monkey King wreaked havoc in Heaven, Erlang Shen was recommended by Guanyin Bodhisattva to the Jade Emperor to lead the battle against the demons.
WATCH: Erlang Shen’s first battle against Monkey King in the 1986 version of Journey to the West.
At Huaguo Mountain, Erlang Shen and his followers had an intense battle with Monkey King, which ended in a draw. Monkey King used his divine powers to transform into various animals, but Erlang Shen’s Yin-Yang Eye saw through his disguises. Eventually, with the help of the Golden Ring given by Laozi and the Heavenly Hound, Erlang Shen was able to capture Monkey King.
The intense battle between Erlang Shen and Monkey King.
The Heavenly Hound, Erlang Shen’s pet, helped capture Monkey King.
Erlang Shen is portrayed as a handsome, tall, and robust man with a righteous demeanor. During the filming in 1982, director Yang Jie noticed the lack of actors and asked Lin Zhiyun, the stunt coordinator, to try on the costume. When Lin stepped out, the director exclaimed, “This is Erlang Shen.”
In real life, Lin is not only handsome and tall but also possesses a strong and masculine aura, perfectly fitting the image of a martial arts hero. He hails from the Fujian Provincial Song and Dance Troupe and was discovered by director Yang Jie during the filming in Quanzhou, Fujian.
Lin Zhiyun’s appearance perfectly matched the director’s vision of Erlang Shen.
Lin not only served as the stunt coordinator for the cast but also took on supporting roles, such as Erlang Shen and Hun Shi Demon King. He taught the cast martial arts movements, as most of the actors lacked formal training.
In the many versions of Journey to the West, the role of Erlang Shen has been played by renowned actors like Feng Shaofeng and He Rundong, but none have surpassed the legacy of Lin Zhiyun.
Lin Zhiyun in his younger days.
The secret love of “Erlang Shen” in real life
Wang Baozhao, who played Bailongma in Journey to the West, once said about Lin Zhiyun: “He is tall, robust, and healthy, and his words carry weight. He has a soldier’s aura that captivates both men and women. Any girl who lays eyes on him will be instantly smitten.”
Lin Zhiyun’s attractive appearance captivated both on-screen and off-screen.
Indeed, Lin’s impressive appearance not only charmed his audience but also his female co-stars. Some actresses even hinted at marriage, but he turned them down. Years later, the Erlang Shen actor revealed a secret love affair that blossomed on set. It turned out that Zhang Qing, who played Wansheng Princess, the most beautiful princess in Journey to the West, had fallen for him.
Zhang Qing, who played Wansheng Princess, was dubbed “The Most Beautiful Princess in Journey to the West.”
Zhang took the initiative to invite Lin to dinner, but he felt awkward and invited Liu Xiaoling, who played Monkey King, to join them. Understanding his intention, Liu excused herself, and Lin then asked Han Gang, who played Hei Xiong Guai (Black Bear Monster), for help. Zhang was indirectly rejected several times, and eventually, she had to give up.
When director Yang Jie learned of this, she scolded Lin, “She came from afar to visit you, and you were so cold to her. Don’t you know she was very upset?” However, Lin remained indifferent and said, “If I send her off this time, she’ll come again next time, which will be troublesome. It’s better not to send her off at all.”
Many people in the crew wanted to introduce their female friends to Lin, but he refused, saying, “Why get married? Being a good person doesn’t require marriage; it’s pointless.”
However, in 1987, when the crew held a party, Lin did not attend, citing his reason as getting married.
Lin Zhiyun reunites with Liu Xiaoling (Monkey King) after many years.
Lin’s wife turned out to be Kha Jinhe, a female athlete in the field of track and field who was once the 100m national champion in China. Lin shared that his wife had visited the set, but he was indifferent and did not see her off. He also revealed that it was love at first sight, and they got married soon after meeting. Lin’s mother adored Jinhe, who took good care of her, so he agreed to the marriage.
Many people in the crew were surprised by Lin’s marriage, as they had always thought he would remain single due to his cold attitude towards women. They curiously asked about their wedding night, to which Lin replied, “I don’t know anything about it. I was busy drinking with friends and forgot to go home.”
Lin Zhiyun and his wife in their old age.
From their marriage to the present, even in their old age, the couple has lived a harmonious and happy life. According to some sources, they have a daughter. Lin once brought his wife to a TV show featuring the cast of Journey to the West. In the program Have an Appointment with Lu Yu, the couple surprised everyone by appearing in the audience. They also flew from Macau to Beijing to visit director Yang Jie when she was bedridden before her passing.
Lin Zhiyun and his wife as audience members on a TV show.
After the success of Erlang Shen, Lin became famous. Although he participated in other works like Paris Gunslinger (1989) and Emergency Chase (2001), his role as Erlang Shen is still considered the highlight of his acting career. Lin mainly focused on being a martial arts consultant for various film crews.
Lin Zhiyun has maintained his good looks even in old age.
Additionally, Lin has also been a martial arts instructor for public security, police, and special forces in Fujian, Quanzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, and Shenzhen. In 1988, he won the East China Boxing Championship.
At 76 years old, Lin is still very energetic. At 69, he was the vice president of the Fujian Martial Arts Research Association and a martial arts consultant for the Chinese Natural Men’s School.
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