Acting responsibly

Although the words seem somewhat precocious for a mere 26-year-old, his eventful past-a long absence from public life after such early success fueled with rumors, speculation and doubt about all facets of his life-has proved he's qualified to offer advice to those who grew up watching his TV show.

Eschewing the path of what is considered popular among the country's younger and younger fan girls these days-mostly being a pretty K-pop star with carefully styled hair, thick eye shadow and always wearing a sunshine-bright smile-he carries no airs or affectations. He presents himself as what he truly is, an authentic, young Beijing lad; born to be free of any restriction, still a little naughty, still adorable and still mischievous.

With the face of a troublemaker that doesn't seem to take anything seriously, audiences are always amazed by his sophisticated acting at such a young age, and how much hard work he pours into understanding and playing the characters he is given, whether it's a game-addicted, wasted youngster in Mr Six, by mastermind director Guan Hu, or a troubled, schizophrenic lover boy in Seven-Faced Man.

In the new AB InBev public service message, Zhang features in two roles, that of both an 18-year-old teenager and the man he is destined to become in the future.

"I was once acting seven different personalities in one TV show, but it was the first time I had to 'meet' with myself and 'talk' to myself," he said of the role.