TEXT｜Coco Yang , TRANSLATION | Eugenia Yang
頂著一頭淺金捲髮，讓人險些認不出胡宇威的身影，一如既往的活力早安，為攝影棚捎來了一股生氣。穿梭其間的可愛毛小孩，儼然成為了他最佳的工作夥伴，「好好地陪 Chelsea 到底，給她快樂的生活，這是我目前現階段的最大責任。」緩緩道出深情告白，動靜之間盡是溫柔凝視，不僅體現了胡宇威愛屋及烏的無限柔情，更印證身為一名成熟紳士負重致遠之使命。
/摩登風貌
談起大改造的契機，胡宇威表示一切皆因新戲結緣，歷經三次漂髮與一週適應期，自然便能融入角色中，徹底釋放潛藏於心的惡魔因子，「這次飾演一個反派角色，導演給我很大的空間去發揮，演的當下其實是一種解放。」突破以往正向善良的形象框架，將本次出演視為人生一大里程碑，藉陰暗面的收放展現，為大眾重新詮釋前所未有的胡宇威，同時印證身為演員的多向度可能，笑著透露現今的髮型，是自己最喜歡的模樣。對於一名紳士應具備的特質與條件，他認為彬彬有禮與英挺打扮缺一不可，「你的內心要散發一種 Lady First 的思維，很簡單一個開門，知道後面有人就幫忙帶一下，尤其是女生或年長的人，我覺得這就是 Gentleman 的感覺。」尤其鞋子與手錶，是胡宇威最為推薦的投資單品，透過每日穿搭增添造型巧思，若有餘力則可再添購五套西裝，以黑、灰、藍、卡其、咖啡等不同色系因應適宜場合，更悄悄分享自己十分喜愛藍色，不僅具備神秘沈穩的氣息，更笑答或許是從小渴望海軍的勇猛氣魄，以及風靡全球的《Top Gun: Maverick》主角 Tom Cruise 的帥氣英姿，皆深刻影響著他對於一位熟成男子的塑形與定義。
/爛漫日常
每個人心目中最佳的愛情電影，為枯燥生活捎來了些許浪漫想像。憶起過往的經典之作，《The Holiday》、《A Walk to Remember》與《About time》至今使胡宇威印象深刻，尤其《The Holiday》是他與另一半時常重溫的溫馨小品，當中最有共鳴的莫過於百視達場景，「以前會去百視達逛 DVD，是一種浪漫，是一種情侶之間堆疊感情的方式，真的是時代的眼淚。」論及世間任何關係，溝通皆是一門大哲學，當面臨意見相左，胡宇威表示冷靜思考為最佳上策，倘若彼此遇到爭執，他總是恪守一個原則：不要做出會後悔的事，不要說出會後悔的話。「你永遠不會知道下一秒會發生什麼，或是對方會把這句話放多大，有些氣話當下如果隨便講，其實蠻不負責任的。」歷經多年的情感積累，問及兩人是否有相處的小默契，胡宇威隨即笑答非常多，比如同一時間哼同一首歌、某天規劃了同樣的行程等，好似一條隱形的線默默牽引著彼此，「我們如果上節目猜彼此的想法，肯定會第一名，有時候會覺得太可怕了，甚至自己會說『好噁心喔，不會吧！』」臉上藏不住的甜意笑顏，悄悄滿溢了現場的幸福氛圍。胡宇威更進一步分享，當望見另一半與家人舒心共處的時刻，便足以認定了「她」為最佳人選，而之於成熟伴侶的定義，他表示應具備「情緒穩定、解決問題、保持樂觀」三大特質，尤其面臨歲數逐年增長，跳脫數字與外觀的束縛，提醒自我一切皆是必經的人生軌跡，以另一種思維調節心態，方為順應生命的聰穎竅妙。
/生命況味
前陣子西方職場興起「躺平文化」，風潮也蔓延至大陸年輕族群，「與其跟隨社會期望堅持奮鬥，不如選擇『躺平』，無欲無求。」對於如此佛系現象，胡宇威認為某種層面源自社會所賦予的環境，「尤其疫情那段時間，生活周遭一直在改變，如果你不改變的話，等於在浪費自己的生命，生命都是很寶貴的。」若上班族感到倦怠，他則鼓勵適時休息，遠離工作並尋回自我中心點，濾除身旁過多雜訊，進而深層理解人生欲追求的理想價值。說起生活中的熱情來源，「極限運動」便是胡宇威的最佳解答，透過挑戰種種不可能證明自己真切活著，「怕也是生命的一種，但不要怕到什麼都不敢做，怕可以讓你多活一些，但一直怕的話，會錯過生命中很多樂趣。」近期也持續解鎖人生新成就，胡宇威笑說期望之後能將「烹飪」作為副業，從起初的興趣，一路參照食譜自學中西式餐點，如日式拉麵、越南河粉等，更陸續受到親友們的喜愛與支持，「常常被問拿手菜是什麼，其實沒有什麼拿手菜，每天不會煮一樣的東西，即使整天都沒有吃、都站著煮飯，我也很樂意，看見家人幸福的表情就很有成就感。」
/自我昇華
近年時空旅行的題材廣受討論，始祖科幻電影《Back to the Future》使人念念不忘，如有機會一窺究竟，胡宇威則會選擇前往未來，「我想看之後會變成什麼樣子，是不是會有其他品種、車會不會飛、人會不會住在外太空，未來會變得更糟糕還是更先進。」若將時間調至十年後，胡宇威又將是什麼模樣？他緩緩道出十年後責任感更多了，踏入人生下一階段，生活品質的兼顧也相當重要，笑答自己應該是位嚴格父親，同時也是個很 Chill 的大人，「期望小孩最後回饋的是一句『謝謝你爸爸』，聽到這句話，他們就會懂原來為什麼要這樣教，以前可能太嚴格或太放鬆，希望以後他們都知道為什麼，給他們的養分是為了什麼。」亦如一路走來的自己，離鄉背井闖蕩台灣演藝圈的少年，伴隨光陰積累的種種感觸，如今心中滿是感恩之情。放眼現下，對於演員身份的最大期許，一切皆取決於良好時機點，「基本上沒有特別要追求挑戰，角色有特色那就足夠了，不管是什麼角色，等待非常重要，當機會來臨，看是誰準備的比較足夠。」看似雲淡風清地描繪，背後盡是不為人知的心血注入，望著胡宇威胸有成竹的自適神情，悉數了然於心。
With a head of light golden curls, George Hu was almost unrecognizable in his new look, but as always, his energetic greeting brought life to the studio. Running around, his adorable furry friend seemed to have become his best working partner. “Taking good care of Chelsea and giving her a happy life is my biggest responsibility at this stage.” His heartfelt confession and tender gaze not only showcased his devotion to his loved ones, but also became a testament to the responsibilities he shoulders as a mature gentleman.
Modern Style
Thanks to his next acting role, Hu got the opportunity to go through a major transformation. After three hair-dyeing sessions and a week of adaptation, he was able to completely get into character and unleash the antagonist side of him. “I got to play the villain this time, which the director gave me a lot of space to express myself with my performance. It was quite liberating.” Straying away from his usual positive roles, Hu saw this performance as a significant milestone, a chance to show everyone a completely different version of himself through exploring the dark side of his character. It was also a testament to the versatility and infinite possibilities being an actor entailed. Smiling, he admitted his current hairstyle is his favorite look so far. Regarding the qualities a gentleman should possess, Hu believed it is essential to be courteous and well-dressed. “You have to put yourself in a ‘Ladies First’ mindset. It can be as simple as holding the door open for the people behind you, especially for women or the elderly. I think that is what being a gentleman should be about.” In particular, Hu recommended investing in shoes and watches, as they can add a touch of sophistication to everyday wear. If possible, he suggested purchasing five suits in different colors – black, gray, blue, khaki and brown are the ones perfect for any occasion. He also shared his love for the color blue, which not only exuded a mysterious and calm allure, but also fulfilled his childhood admiration towards the navy and the fearless spirit they carry. Perhaps it was also Tom Cruise and the dashing charm he showed in Top Gun: Maverick that influenced Hu and his understanding of a mature man.
Daily Romances
Everyone has that one go-to romantic film, one that adds a touch of romantic imagination to our mundane lives. For Hu, The Holiday, A Walk to Remember and About Time were the ones that left an impression on him. Of everything, the Blockbuster scene in The Holiday – a heartwarming piece he often revisits with his partner – resonated with him the most. “I remember how we used to go to Blockbuster to look for DVDs and it was romantic, a way for couples to build their connection. It was something that belonged to our era and I miss it.” When it comes to any relationship, communication is always the key. In the face of opposing opinions, Hu believed staying calm and giving it some thought are the best approaches. If it comes down to having an argument, he always adhered to one principle – never do or say something that you will regret. “You never know what might happen in the future, or how the other person is going to interpret your words. Saying hurtful things simply because you are in the heart of the moment is very irresponsible.” After years of being together, Hu had developed a certain understanding with his partner. For example, they’d often hum the same song at the same time or somehow plan the same itinerary on the same day – it is as if an invisible thread is quietly connecting the two together. “If we are ever on a game show where we get to guess each other’s thoughts, we will definitely come in first place. It gets to the point where sometimes we think it’s kind of scary. I’d even say to myself, ‘No way, that’s so gross!’” Unable to contain his smile, Hu was radiating with a blissful atmosphere that permeated the studio as he shared these sweet moments. He also further revealed that the moment he saw her enjoying quality time with his family in ease, he knew she was the one. To become a mature partner, he pointed out one should possess three qualities – emotional stability, the ability to solve problems and maintain optimism. Especially as time passes, it was important to break free from the constraints of age and appearances, as he constantly reminded himself that everything is a part of life’s journey. Only by adjusting his mindset and perspective was he able to understand the wisdom and wonders of life.
Flavors of Life
Recently, the “lie-flat” movement has emerged in Western workplaces and is slowly being adapted by the younger generation in China. Rather than striving to meet societal expectations, why don’t we choose to stand back and do nothing? In response to this phenomenon, Hu believed that it stemmed, to some extent, from the environment built by society. “Especially during the pandemic, life was constantly changing. If you choose not to change along with it, you are basically wasting your own life. Life is too precious for us to do that.” To office workers who feel tired or lost, he encouraged them to take some time off and spend some time away from work to rediscover their sense of self. By filtering out excessive noises, they will further gain a deeper understanding of the ideal values they wish to pursue in life. When it comes to the source of passion in life, extreme sports is Hu’s best answer. Through challenging himself to overcome the impossible, it felt like he was truly alive. “Fear is also a part of life, but don’t be so afraid to the point where you are unable to do anything; you will miss all the fun.” Having recently picked up cooking, he aspired to make it a side job in the future. At first, it was simply a hobby he found interesting. As he self-taught himself by following recipes, the dishes he made, such as Japanese ramen or Vietnamese pho, gradually gained popularity among friends and family. “People always ask what my signature dish is. The truth is I don’t really have one because I try to cook something different everyday. Even if I don’t eat and spend the whole day in the kitchen cooking, it brings me joy to see the happy expressions on my family’s face when they enjoy the meal.”
Self Sublimation
The theme of time travel has been gaining popularity in recent years and it perhaps can all be traced back to the sci-fi film, Back to the Future. If given the chance, Hu said he would choose to travel to the future. “I want to see what it will be like, if there will be different species, flying cars, or if it’s possible to live in space. I want to know if the future will become worse or more advanced.” Setting eyes on the next ten years, what would George Hu be like? He predicted that he would have more responsibilities after he enters the next stage of life, while still trying to maintain the quality of living. Chuckling, he saw himself becoming a strict father, but also a very chill adult. “The ultimate reward from my children would be a simple thank you. I might have been too strict or too relaxed, but I hope they will understand the reason behind my teaching and the lessons that come with it.” As the young boy who left home and ventured into the entertainment industry in Taiwan, he reflected on the time that has passed and the experiences he had accumulated with a deep sense of gratitude. Looking at the present, he trusts his acting career in the hands of time as he awaits for the perfect opportunity to present itself. “I don’t really have a specific role I want to challenge, as long as the character is unique, then that’s enough. Regardless of the role, waiting is very important because when the opportunity comes, it all comes down to who is better prepared.” Behind such a relaxed and calm attitude towards life hide years of dedication and hard work that appeared invisible on the surface. As George Hu shared his life with a confident and contented demeanor, suddenly, it wasn’t hard to comprehend the depth and width of his life journey and everything that he’d learned from it.
