??THE rising star of Mark Chao, a 28-year-old Taiwanese-Canadian actor, is expected to see a further boost when three films starring the young heart-throb are screened in June and July. ????All three films, “First Time,” “Black & White” and “Search,” have an all-star cast. ????“Although he plays a bad boy in the film, he gives people a sense of security. The boy’s complicated and sensitive soul makes him attractive. No one could resist falling love with him,” said a moviegoer in her 20s, after Wednesday’s media preview of “First Time,” which is scheduled to hit screens Friday. ????Chao came to the attention of mainlanders in 2009 thanks to his performance in popular Taiwanese TV drama, “Black & White.” ????In 2010, he starred in his first film, “Monga,” in which he played Mosquito, a solitary, self-loathing and intense gang member. His performance was widely applauded and was followed by a rapid increase in his popularity. ????“Mark is very handsome, enthusiastic and dedicated to his work. He sets very high standards for himself and it’s impossible to reject cooperating with an actor like him,” said Doze Niu, who directed “Monga” and later worked with Chao on another popular film, “Love.” ????A well-known Chinese director, Chen Kaige, who directed “Search,” said he sees “radiance” in Chao’s eyes. ????“Search” is scheduled to be released July 6, and also stars Gao Yuanyuan, Chao’s girlfriend, and Yao Chen, one of the most popular female actors on the mainland. ????Despite his newfound stardom, Chao remains sober about his achievements, the paper said. ????“Although ‘Black & White’ won me the best actor at the Golden Horse Awards, ‘Mongo’ achieved a good box office and ‘Love’ won popularity on the mainland, I don’t like the characters I played in them. They are all annoying and flawed. I prefer my own personality,” said Chao. ????In real life, Chao is not a party animal. He is actually quite reserved. While studying in Canada, he only went to a nightclub once. ????“Of the three most popular young actors in Taiwan, Chao is the youngest — the other two are Ethan Ruan and Eddie Peng — but he is the most mature. We always think of him as being wise beyond his years,” said Lee Lieh, who is recognized as the godmother of Taiwan’s film industry. ????In addition to his forthcoming movies, media attention has been drawn to Chao’s budding romance with Gao Yuanyuan. ????“She is really my better half. I hope she is cherished and protected from being hurt,” Chao’s plea has spread quickly on the Internet. ????“If I have to make a choice between family and career, I will not hesitate to choose family. Family, love and friendship lasts through one’s whole life, the best part of one’s career can only last between 20 and 30 years,” said Chao. ????“Happiness is the most important thing for me. A man has to get married and start a family,” he said. ????(Martin Li) ???? ??????????????????????????????? | 