BEIJING and HONG KONG — Celebrated Hong Kong actor Chan Chun-on, formerly known as Chan Chi-kin, recently recounted a terrifying close call involving a horse-riding stunt while filming the mainland Chinese drama Rivalry Contract. The incident, occurring during the demanding production schedule, underscored the inherent risks of martial arts-focused filmmaking and demonstrated the actor’s quick thinking under pressure.
Chan, who plays the character “Shen Jiu” in the series, described one specific scene originally scripted as a gentle trot. However, director Zhu Ruibin opted for a more dramatic sequence, requiring the horses to run at a high speed. Despite Chan’s prior equestrian experience and his agreement to the intensified action, the situation escalated rapidly when another actor’s horse suddenly bolted. Chan’s mount immediately followed suit, threatening to throw him. He managed to regain control and halt the animal just moments before a potentially serious fall.
The actor admitted that the memory remains profoundly shocking, requiring a brief pause in production to recover before filming could resume. Following the near-accident, the director made a crucial safety decision, opting to use a prop horse for subsequent high-speed shots.
Expanding Horizons Through Challenging Roles
Rivalry Contract marks Chan Chun-on’s third collaboration with director Zhu Ruibin, a partnership defined by increasingly complex and demanding roles that have significantly broadened the actor’s repertoire beyond his foundational work in Hong Kong television.
Their first project, Exclusive Fairytale, challenged Chan academically and linguistically. He played a civil official requiring the memorization of extensive, classical Chinese dialogue. The second collaboration, White Moon Phantom Star, forced him to rely heavily on imagination while portraying an immortal being, involving extensive wirework against a green screen backdrop for subsequent digital effects.
Chan noted that Rivalry Contract has allowed him to leverage the practical martial arts skills honed during his time with TVB. The current project is rich with authentic combat sequences, providing an opportunity to showcase practical action capabilities. He expressed gratitude for Director Zhu’s consistent trust, crediting these three diverse projects with significantly expanding the scope of roles he is capable of undertaking.
Beyond the Screen: Directing and Entrepreneurship
While his focus remains on acting, Chan has simultaneously explored other creative and commercial avenues. He recently completed filming two feature films and co-directed a short series, indicating a growing interest in directorial work. Furthermore, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, launching his own coffee brand.
Looking ahead, Chan Chun-on is targeting new creative milestones. He expressed a desire to tackle diverse genres in 2026 and highlighted a strong interest in returning to Hong Kong cinema or television if an appropriate and engaging script materializes. His eventual aim is to reconnect with his initial audience and capitalize on the expanded skillset developed through demanding mainland productions. His career trajectory exemplifies a dynamic shift among experienced Hong Kong performers successfully navigating the expansive and often challenging Chinese entertainment industry.
