"It felt like I integrated my own life story into my role," pop icon Richie Jen told China.org.cn in an interview before the premiere of "Rob N Roll," the latest Hong Kong action comedy film. He has played numerous police officers and villains in many of Johnnie To's crime epics, but this time, he showcases his versatility by playing a desperate social worker.

A still image from "Rob N Roll." [Image courtesy of iQiyi Pictures]

The star knew it well all along — the anguish and demons he faced before achieving stardom and his anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. "This film is a tall tale and a nobody's rhapsody. It's absurd but true. I hope that after bitter laughter, 'Rob N Roll' can still manage to inspire everyone to persevere through hardship and find a way out. Put hope in yourselves, not in wild things like robbing a bank."

The film, written and directed by Albert Mak, narrates the tale of a professional wrestler and meticulous robber (portrayed by Hong Kong superstar Aaron Kwok) who pulls off a major heist but encounters unexpected consequences and twists. While attempting to retrieve the rest of the stolen money, he crosses paths with two disillusioned middle-aged men, played by Jen and Gordon Lam, and persuades them to join his scheme. The trio quickly finds themselves pursued by both the police and rival criminals, caught in a mix of humorous, complex plots, coincidental events, and accidental blunders. The film premiered nationwide on Jan. 19 and had grossed 164 million yuan ($22.84 million) as of Sunday.

At its core, "Rob N Roll" explores the struggles of impoverished and desperate ordinary people facing life's pressures, family responsibilities, and their choices. Jen's character captures the struggles of an underprivileged individual grappling with daily frustrations. His relatable portrayal has struck a chord with many who face the dilemma of balancing life's pressures with their dignity.

"Before I became famous, I struggled a lot," the star recalled. "I had no money to pursue my music career or anything else. I would fantasize about winning the lottery, but I never actually bought a ticket. I didn't believe winning such an elusive prize would happen to me. I had also seen news reports about lottery winners being plagued with various troubles or squandering their winnings."

Jen also connects with his character's sense of responsibility, a trait drawn from his personal experiences visiting nursing homes for charity and engaging with the elderly. "My character takes care of a nursing home and refuses to abandon the elderly. I felt a similar responsibility during the pandemic. Our company has not laid off any employees or implemented pay cuts because many of them have been with me for over a decade. Everyone has a family relying on them, and I cannot abandon them. However, the company's financial situation drained resources during the past three years of the pandemic. Throughout this time, I was isolated in quarantine on 13 occasions. However, I could not halt my work; I had to continue traveling to different locations and fulfilling my duties after completing isolation. The hardships I faced led me to question the meaning of life, and this reflection can also be seen in my character in the film."

Richie Jen attends the premiere of "Rob N Roll," held in Beijing, Jan. 14, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Today Pictures] 

To enhance the relatability of his role, he requested the director and makeup artists to style him with gray hair and a disheveled look. Additionally, he dressed in disguise and roamed the streets of Hong Kong, keenly observing the behaviors of everyday people. He noticed so many people either hurrying to work, absorbed in their phones, engaged in conversation, or simply exhausted, with vacant expressions. These real-life observations were seamlessly integrated into his portrayal in the film.

Jen is delighted to have had the opportunity to play such a role in "Rob N Roll." He shared, "I found it very interesting. The film is like a dream factory, teeming with endless possibilities." He also mentioned his habit of noting down intriguing details from his everyday life, using them as inspiration for his cinematic creations. "For instance, one time, I was carrying a garbage bag to throw away and had a takeout box with me. I'm unsure what I was thinking, but when I reached the trash bin, I just threw something and walked away. Later, when I got home and looked, I realized I had brought the garbage home and thrown away the food. This actually happens when you are in a rush or in an absent-minded state."

He wanted his movie role to be remembered by the audience and believes that the best reward for him is getting a good film script. He shared, "Director Johnnie To once told me, 'You are a singing star; if you want to make quick money, you should go hold concerts.' He made me realize that I should never act in a film just for the money but rather act in a film that is worth fighting for and will be remembered. I hope my songs and films can be the bridge to connect me and the audience and resonate with them. The ones that can be remembered are really timeless classics."

This year, in addition to promoting "Rob N Roll," the "Too Softhearted" singer's schedule includes performing at numerous concerts. Jen also hopes to collaborate with more talented teams and filmmakers on good film projects. Furthermore, although he said he has already fulfilled most of the wishes on his bucket list, he still wants to climb Mount Qomolangma and surf on the Qiantang River. Additionally, he plans to film various festivals of the 56 ethnic groups in China to showcase their different cultures, customs and music.

A poster for "Rob N Roll." [Image courtesy of iQiyi Pictures]

Though he is a megastar, Jen remains grounded and constantly reminds himself to stay focused, avoiding getting lost in vanity. "I experienced numerous hardships and endured difficult situations when I was young. If, after achieving success, I begin to lose sight of who I am and drift away, then what was the purpose of all the hard work and determination? Therefore, I firmly believe that even after fulfilling our dreams, we must still cherish ourselves and our accomplishments with care."

He admires the greatness found in ordinary aspects of life, emphasizing that a job should not be judged based on its status or importance. Instead, he believes that as long as one sincerely dedicates themselves to one's position and does one's best, it is worthy.

Jen vividly recalls the finale of his first concert in 1998, where he performed a cover of the classic song "I Am a Little Bird," originally by Chao Chuan. "I used to work as a stage manager in Chao's team. Back then, when I listened to him singing this song backstage, I felt like that little bird facing the pressures of life and having to do many shows unrelated to music for a living. However, when I held my first concert and finally opened the doors to the world of music, that moment when I sang 'I Am a Little Bird' again, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. It was as if all the experiences and hardships I had gone through had transformed into my personal growth, becoming an integral part of my life story."

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