During the final weekend of October, Paris became the vibrant stage for The A Festival, an international gathering celebrating Asian arts, culture, and entertainment. Among the most anticipated guests of this premiere edition were actors Wang Yunkai and Leslie, who traveled to Europe to meet their growing global fanbase. Marked as an exciting milestone in their careers, this trip represented their very first official visit and promotional tour in Europe together.

While many fans know them through their dynamic work on television and stage productions, both artists emphasize that acting remains their primary craft and true calling. Their shared screen journey—rooted in traditional Chinese period drama (Hanfu culture)—has served as a powerful artistic medium. For Wang Yunkai and Leslie, participating in international events like The A Festival is far more than a professional stop: it is a personal mission to share, interpret, and connect Chinese historical heritage with global audiences.

Arriving in Paris, the duo shared their enchantment with the city’s romantic, passionate, and open atmosphere. Reflecting on the intersection of European aesthetics and Chinese tradition, they expressed a strong desire to explore future creative blends—envisioning a unique artistic “collision” between Chinese historical narratives and European cultural elements. From discussing their process of building deep on-screen trust to imagining alternate-reality professions, Wang Yunkai and Leslie bring a genuine, grounded energy to every project they touch.

Below is our exclusive interview conducted during their time at The A Festival in Paris.

You have worked across television, stage production, and now on international live stage. How does your individual artistic identity shape your dynamic as a duo?

Even though we are here to participate in this music festival, our primary profession remains acting. I believe that participating in events like this and interacting with our fans is, for us, a process of sharing and spreading Chinese culture.

Paris and European history are tied to distinct architectural, fashion, and aesthetic tradition. Coming from a background rooted in Chinese historical narratives, which specific elements of European art or architecture do you hope will inform and inspire your future visual concept?

In fact, if there are opportunities in the future, we would like to try bringing together and blending elements of Chinese culture with European culture to create a collision. Through this, we hope to interpret and create new content and a new experience together.

On screen and stage chemistry often translate into a distinct shared dynamic outside of performing arts. Stepping away from acting and entertainment, what kind of ordinary, everyday profession do you think you would enjoy together in an alternate reality?

• • Wang Yunkai: “If we weren’t actors, I think there are many things I’d like to try and innovate. For example, doing event planning or opening a café, and so on… I’d love to give those a try.”
  • Leslie: “I’d want to try working with AI!”

The night market versus the European bistro. If you were tasked with setting up a late night street food, combining Chinese night market staples with European bistro culture, what would your flagship dish be and who is in charge of convincing customer to actually try it?

• • Flagship Dish: “Stir-fried pork with green peppers (Lajiao Chaorou).”
  • Salesperson / Customer Interaction: “Both of us would be pretty natural at attracting customers.”

European cities like Paris are rich in ancient architecture and history, but modern culture moves at a fast pace. When you work on historical dramas set in ancient times, what timeless elements of Chinese history and architecture—like the Imperial Palace in Beijing—help ground your work, and what would you recommend international fans explore to connect with that heritage?

Yes, actually I live in Shanghai, and I feel that compared to Shanghai, Beijing has a relatively longer history. The period dramas we film draw some of their scenic inspiration from the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City), even though we didn’t shoot inside it directly. If anyone is interested in Chinese traditional/period dramas, they should definitely visit the Forbidden City in Beijing, China.

Elisa Cutullè

Interpreting & Translation Assistance: Amy Shen, PR Officer at the European Public Relations Office of 5 Oceans Entertainment.