The Golden Path : Jin Long

I'm watching The Golden Path now. I haven't finished it yet, but I fast fowarded to the end because I could not stand it! I had to watch the ending! Lol.

I am quite drawn to the lead character, Jin Long, played by veteran actor Li Nanxing.

Li Nanxing as Jin Long

Now, his is not a goody goody character. He does not acknowledge his step-mother, even though, she treats him quite well. When he grows up, all he does is to help his mother to send takeaways. He does not appreciate his mother's effort to build his career, when she asked him to manage a market.

As a kid, he extorts his neighbour. As he grows up, he assaults someone and ends up being jailed for about a year. He gets involved in the Triads to clear his grandfather's debts. He is an illegal bookie and runs a prostitution ring. Later on, he is bent on avenging the death of his sister.

Yet, despite the vices he is involved in, he is not a "bad" guy. He is soft-spoken, and I think that the "good" aura shines through his simplistic outlook.

Jin Long & Lin Fei (Felicia Chin)

I think I probably like Jin Long because of the myriad of of emotions that he portrays. Fiercely defensive of his dad, he is resentful towards Xiao-gu and her family. Although he refuses to admit it our right, I have no doubt that Jin Long has deep respect for Xiao-gu.

On the other hand, Jin Long develops a dislike for Kaijie, always blaming him for the death of his father. Their relationship is one that will never mend.

Jin Long is annoyed having Lin Fei tail him all the time at first. He thinks that she's a spoilt brat who has nothing better to do. However, Lin Fei, who believes that she is dying, feels blissful to be around Jin Long, even though there is such a big gap between them where wealth and status is concerned. Jin Long, who thinks that he is not good enough for Lin Fei, tries to discourage her, but Lin Fei willingly and unconditionally loves him to bits. I believe he does love her too in the end.

Lin Fei has never stopped loving Jin Long, even after she married Kaijie. At the end of the drama, when Jin Long is head to head with Kaijie, Lin Fei continues to stand at Jin Long's side, helping him. Even when her pregnancy is at stake! That's what true love is all about. For a hopeless romantic like me, it's REALLY sweet.

Jin Long loves his step-sister, Kaiqi, and yet fights to suppress that emotion. Now, his upright character totally contrasts with Kaijie, who succumbs to the seduction of his step-sister, Jin Feng.

He is kind towards Rou Gu Mei, and grows to love her in the end. And he is loyal to love, committing suicide after she has been killed. After all, they promise to be together in life or in death.

The other person Jin Long deeply cares for is his maternal grandfather. Time and time again, he gets himself into trouble to settle his grandfather's debts. Who would be willing to make such big sacrifices for another person, unless he or she truly cares for that particular person.

What a complicated character!! I think it takes a veteran actor, Li Nanxing, to portray all of Jin Long's internal struggles. I thought he did a great job!