Premium Short Drama 'Nanyang Authentic' Starts Filming: Huang Chengxi Holds Up the Bak Kut Teh Family Business

Jointly produced by Mango Media and Astro, the premium short drama 'Nanyang Authentic' held its opening ceremony on the 9th in Jenjarom. Director Ma Yiteng, together with leading actors Huang Chengxi, Xiao Liling, and Wen Yang, attended and shared filming anecdotes. The series is expected to premiere in July on the sooka and XUAN platforms.

'Nanyang Authentic' revolves around bak kut teh culture, focusing on the inheritance and rivalry between the Fujian and Teochew factions in Nanyang. The story follows the fifth-generation heir of Li Ji Bak Kut Teh, 'Li Jinian' (played by Huang Chengxi), who loses his right hand in an accident, falling from being a culinary prodigy to rock bottom. Just as he is in despair, the soul of an ancestor awakens and grants him mysterious powers. Relying on his left hand, he regains his dignity and faces formidable opponents. After uncovering the truth behind his father's death, he not only restores the facts but also brings his family back together, vowing to revive the 'Nanyang Authentic' brand.

Taking on the role of short drama male lead for the first time, Huang Chengxi revealed that he is a 'short drama expert' in real life. Due to the role requiring many cooking competition scenes, and having studied in Taiwan and sold bak kut teh from a stall, he said he was no stranger to the filming scenes and hoped to perform all the tasks himself, refusing to use a hand double. He also generously admitted to giving his 'on-screen first kiss' in the drama. Xiao Liling plays 'Chen Zhiwei,' the head of rival bak kut teh house 'Old Chen Ji,' who is also Li Jinian's childhood friend. She joked that because Huang Chengxi is the same age as her brother and is six years younger than her, doing romantic scenes with him was like 'dating her younger brother.' Talking about the kissing scene, she playfully said she could finally 'take revenge' on her boyfriend Li Weishen, and shared that not only was her boyfriend aware but also kindly helped her rehearse.

Wen Yang plays Li Jinian's cousin 'Li Minglang.' As someone who loves cooking, he and Huang Chengxi both expressed that they look forward to personally performing the bak kut teh cooking scenes to showcase real culinary skills.