After joining Fulong Talent Agency, Nicky Wu is arranged to star in the TV adaptation of "Xiao Shiyi Lang", and filming has started in Beijing. Nicky even learned how to ride a horse.

The new TV serial is adapted from Gu Long's novel "Xiao Shiyi Lang". This novel was adapted for TV a couple of times many years ago. For this new remake project, the script, costumes, props, action choreography, special effects etc. have all been planned carefully. The production of the drama is meticulous and particular. Nicky likes the role Xiao Shiyi Lang very much. This is the main reason that caused Nicky, who seldom accepts TV drama offers, to agree to take this project. The female lead, Shen Bijun is played by Athena Chu. Nicky and Athena have known each other for a long time and they work well together.

The producer has also spent a lot of money on the costumes and engaged the famous fashion designer BoBo in Hong Kong to specifically design a new image for the characters in the drama. In the drama, Xiao Shiyi Lang grew up in the forest, and is a highly-skilled swordsman who is carefree, unrestrainted and loves freedom. Therefore, the costumes are designed to be wilder. Besides having leopard and zebra stripes, there are also a few different vests with leather gloves, very unconventional but also very cool. Nicky said amusedly that he could just ride on the motorbike with these costumes.

First time on the horse

Although he never rode a horse before, athletic Nicky learned how to ride the horse easily with just some guidance.

The filming of the drama started at a rural area of Beijing called Shidu, a famous scenic attraction. One of the inconveniences is the transportation. When Nicky wanted to shop around and buy something, he was stunned that the local people actually led a horse to him!

The first scene to be filmed was Nicky riding a horse, running on the big field, searching frantically for the missing Athena. Just when the others were ready to shoot the scene, Nicky raised his hand and said, "I've never ridden a horse before!" This gave everyone a fright. Luckily, as a real-life martial artist with excellent athletic talent, after some practice, Nicky could immediately ride with ease and finished the scene with just one take! However, Nicky said that the reason he could manage to learn how to ride so fast is not because he is professional but because he wanted to go and buy tibits!

Bad filming conditions

The most unbearable thing for Nicky and Athena during filming is to have to wear thick ancient costumes under the high temperature of over 40°C and blaring sun! At the place of filming, except the grasses, there are only horses. The hotel they lived in does not even have television. Nicky only wished to finish filming his part in this place as soon as possible and move on to the next filming place, Suzhou.

From Beijing to Bashang the journey takes more than ten hours, and along the way, the road is very rocky. Even Nicky and Athena, who often film in China, also get dizzy at the end of the journey. Nicky said,"This is the most tiring and difficult time I have ever had in filming in China because these are all mountain areas. When you are filming in the day, the sun would make you dizzy; at night, it would become so cold that it makes you shiver. The grassland is all covered with horse shit. Even when eating the lunch box, I only dare to eat a little because the rice would be mixed with small sands, making it hard to swallow.

In addition to the poor condition, even the hotel does not have television and communication facilities are very bad. Nicky and Athena fully taste the life of being isolated from the world. Nicky said, "Luckily, the filming here only lasts one week. Later we will go to Suzhou. Suzhou is very close to Shanghai; food and accommodation are very convenient. Therefore, every day Athena and I wish that we could go to Suzhou sooner. Besides, I plan to buy property in Shanghai, so I could use the free time to go to Shanghai to look at the property.

The new TV serial is scheduled to be screened in 2002. Hong Kong TVB is also filming this novel, with Felix Wong as "Xiao" and Annie Heung as "Shen".