Words often fail him. Usually he is taciturn. His appearance reveals a trace of melancholy. As soon as he sits in a director's chair and starts work, however, his bushy eyebrows flare and his huge eyes become sharp and brilliant. He is fully composed, as if he has been transformed into a new being. Hwang Yi-kung says: "My greatest aspiration now isn't fame and fortune, but rather to succeed in the performing arts."

Hwang was born in 1945 and graduated from the University of Chinese Culture's Drama Department. He has won a number of awards for directing performances and television productions. Now he is both a director and vice chairman of productions at Taiwan Television Enterprise, as well as a drama instructor at the Fu Hsing Kang College.

"I'm constantly thinking, often giving myself difficult problems, then searching endlessly for the answers." In his persistence, he likens himself to Don Quixote, a lance-brandishing horse rider, bravely pursuing the impossible dream.

His parents escaped to Taiwan from the mainland when he was only four years old. In Taipei they could only find a condemned building with enough space for two straw-mats in which to live. They sometimes sank into the depths of despair. From early childhood, Hwang liked to attend church. The Christian doctrine of "Love the Lord, and love thy neighbor as thyself", imperceptibly but profoundly became embedded in his young heart, and has influenced his thoughts and actions ever since.

Hwang recalls clearly how, as an underprivileged child, he sold lottery tickets and shined shoes. "At that time a pair of black shoes was NT$2 and white NT$3," he says.

His father, who never attended school, made an early decision on Hwang's future. "No matter what happens, he will receive a good education," his father said.

At the beginning of his junior high school years, Hwang Yi-kung displayed a flair for literature. He was chief editor of the student paper and three times won first prize in the national school writing contests. In high school, he wrote for a now defunct magazine entitled "Deer Park."

He later wrote scripts for radio plays and formed, with his classmates, the Society of Radio Drama. He did his own editing, recording and broadcasting.

"In college, two professors greatly influenced me. One of them bluntly told us all we weren't cut out for the performing arts. From that time on, I intuitively knew that respect for others as well as oneself is vitally important. I am extremely courteous to my elders, whether they are in the fields of performing arts, photography, lighting or recording."

"Another professor, named Li Man-kuei was the department chairman during my freshman year, was straightforward and generous. She once decided the sophomores should put on a Shakespearean play. When she refused to let the freshmen join in, we put on our own version of "King Lear" at the National Arts Institute. But the professor held no grudge against us for our defiance, and even forgave us. We were really touched."

Prof. Li, who has studied at Columbia and Yale universities, often tells her students: "When we study in the West, we learn adroitness and sound methodology. Chinese drama must embrace the spirit and actions of the Chinese people." She secretly advised me: "Despising what one cannot appreciate and being first to criticize is not the right way. One should personally participate in making improvements."

Prof. Li devoted her life to drama. In her will she left endowments to her four most brilliant students. Hwang was honored with a scholarship to go abroad and study drama.

Hwang was a scriptwriter in school, but became a director after he graduated. "Now I'm not writing, I'm concentrating on directing. I plan to start creating again after I reach the age of 40. By that time I'll have more experience, and be able to do worthwhile work."

When he directs a television show, he often thinks: "What do I want to give the audience? What is the meaning I want to put across in this play? What is my own style?" He continues: "My hope for television is that one can see on screen the image projected by the Chinese of this day and age. In other words, a program should be lively, natural, realistic and unpretentious, and not merely be based on the martial arts of days gone by."

To achieve this goal, Hwang took the lead in filming TV productions outdoors, rather than in the studio. "I discovered that the TV news department had a new device, known as ENG at the news department, and took it out in the field. Even though the colors didn't come out right to begin with, some of the film wasn't in focus, and the voices were sometimes out of synchronization, everybody was still happy because it was clear this was a workable method. As a result, the technical difficulties were overcome quickly."

Shortly afterward, he directed two series, "Love Journey" (Chiu Shui Chang Tien), and "Breezy Ocean" (Pi Hai Ching Tao) to create a new style of TV series.

When "Love Journey" was first produced, everyone was confident it would be of high caliber. Nobody thought about whether it would make money, or how viewers would respond. "We didn't anticipate it would receive such a favorable reaction. I'm becoming more convinced that TV programs have a bright future," said Hwang.

"When I'm directing, I don't try to outdo others in working out detailed plots, but instead try to reflect today's lifestyle. I prefer to think my work is like a cup of tea; light and capable of satisfying, if drunk slowly."

"Love Journey" is the story of a love affair between a widow and a younger man. The main theme is that life is like a journey. Everybody has an unforgettable experience in their past. No matter what its effect, it undoubtedly happened. That is enough.

"Breezy Ocean" is set in Lukang. Its theme is that the sea can devour a man's life, but will preserve his purity, and that the city can preserve life but will contaminate the soul. In the end, both male and female members of the cast return to Lukang.

In 10 years of service at the Taiwan Television Enterprise, Hwang has promoted many new people, but says: "You can't call this promotion. It's just that in the past, people gave me a chance. Now, I give other people a chance... television consumes enormous amounts of physical and mental energy, and continually demands adjustments... You have to bring in new blood. I would urge young people to take up the profession, but they should travel the straight and narrow path instead of using devious means."

As for young people engaged in the performing arts, he has two pieces of advice: "First of all, a person should be interested in taking on responsibility, like they do when they get married. Once the decision is made, one must devote oneself to it entirely and not take it lightly. It calls for discipline and a respect for work." He respects Hsiao Fang-fang, the female lead in "Love Journey," for her devotion to her career. She has been in the movie industry for 20 years and holds a Master's degree in theater in the United States. She gave up a high-paying movie career in Hong Kong, to take part in this show. In order to play the role well, she has observed the minute details, and has gone on location to study the lifestyles and habits of the local people. But she admitted to me: "I still cannot fully understand the role."

A new set of episodes of "Evergreen" (Tien Chang Ti Chiu) is currently being prepared. "I feel the pressure of city life is too heavy. Everywhere you look there are high-rise buildings and your ears are filled with the din of the streets. I want to treat the audience to the sight of blue sky and green fields, to bring them back to nature, to breathe fresh air. At the same time, I want to put on the screen the Taipei streets that everyone is familiar with," Hwang says.

The erstwhile lottery ticket vendor and shoeshine boy has become a successful director. His story has a message for everyone: The world is an impartial, wide-open race track. One needs only perseverance to succeed.

[Picture Caption]

L: Hwang Yi-kung directs his actors to make sure they should fully understand their roles before shooting begins. R: Support from his family has helped Hwang in his successful career.

"Love Journey" (L) and "Breezy Ocean" (R) introduced outdoor shooting as a new style in TV series.

Hwang is enthusiastic about stage directing as well as TV. He directed "Yen Ze and his Wife" in Taipei.

Support from his family has helped Hwang in his successful career.

Love Journey.

introduced outdoor shooting as a new style in TV series.

Hwang is enthusiastic about stage directing as well as TV. He directed "Yen Ze and his Wife" in Taipei.