Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro is still very popular in Taiwan although he has not visited the country for almost three years, China Entertainment News reported.
In the recent premiere of John Woo's film "The Crossing" in Taipei, Kaneshiro was welcomed by more than 600 screaming fans. The film reunites Kaneshiro and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" star Zhang Ziyi.
Ziyi and Kaneshiro co-starred in the 2004 film "House of Flying Daggers" prior to "The Crossing."
Before Kaneshiro, his "The Crossing" co-actors including South Korean star Song Hye Kyo and Chinese star Huang Xiaoming took the stage. The last to take the stage, Kaneshiro greeted the fans in Japanese, Chinese and Taiwanese Hokkien.
For Kaneshiro, his role in "The Crossing" is "like a gift from the heavens" as he was lucky to get it at the last minute. In the film, he had to speak in three languages: Japanese, Chinese and Taiwanese Hokkien.
"I was familiar with them and could express myself well as a result," the 41-year-old actor said.
Kaneshiro also praised the script of the film and even joked that he was envious of Huang's love scene with Song.
Huang laughed when he was asked if he treated Kaneshiro as a rival in terms of popularity.
A fan of Kaneshiro, Huang said that he used to watch Kaneshiro's dramas and films and even played the video game "Onimusha," where the Japanese actor portrayed a samurai warrior.
Woo also has nothing but praises for Kaneshiro. The director said that Kaneshiro is "very helpful and never hesitates to guide other actors, or even temporary actors."
"I told him if he aspires to be a director, I am willing to be his co-director," Woo said of Kaneshiro.
"The Crossing" grossed 30.1 million yuan ($4.90 million) on Dec. 2, Tuesday, and another 11.8 million yuan ($1.92) on Dec. 3, Wednesday, during its opening at the Chinese box office, Variety reported.
According to its distributor Le Vision Picture, "The Crossing" accounted for 58 percent of box office receipts on the first day of its opening.