Recently, a netizen posted a behind-the-scenes photo from the TV drama "Tears of Heaven" on a forum. In the photo, actress Cao Xiwen wore a large mask covering half her face. This image sparked widespread online speculation: "Has Cao Xiwen also undergone plastic surgery like a certain star?"
To verify whether Cao Xiwen had indeed undergone cosmetic procedures as rumored, a reporter recently visited the "Tears of Heaven" filming location in the Beijing suburbs to investigate.
On the day of the interview, the crew was filming a scene where Cao Xiwén led a group of child actors fleeing Japanese troops. To recreate wartime conditions, the set used heavy smoke effects, filling the air with dust that frequently caused actors to cough."Tears of Heaven" is China's first television series depicting war orphans. The drama primarily portrays the wartime children's welfare association initiated and organized by Soong Mei-ling and Deng Yingchao during the Anti-Japanese War.In the series, Cao Xiwén portrays war correspondent Shen Junyi, who must lead hundreds of refugee children alongside the Nationalist Army company commander (and Communist Party member) Fang Jianming, played by Ling Xiaosu, to evade Japanese pursuit and aerial bombardment. Consequently, the production features multiple battle sequences.
During a break in filming, a reporter interviewed Cao Xiwén, who was wearing a mask. When the reporter mentioned netizens' doubts about her appearance, Cao quickly removed her mask and smiled: "Do I look like I've had plastic surgery?" She then explained to the reporter that the photo circulating online was likely reposted from her own Weibo account.
It turned out she had been wearing a large mask on set due to dust-filled conditions causing throat inflammation. To prevent worsening her condition, she wore the mask during breaks.
"This is my first time filming war scenes. I used to think battle sequences were grand and awe-inspiring.Now I know war scenes are grueling to shoot. Thick smoke makes your eyes water constantly, dust gets into your nostrils and mouth. After just a few days of filming, my throat got inflamed and my nostrils are black every day." Clearly unprepared for her first war drama experience, Cao Xiwén admitted.
"If it's this tough, would you still take on war roles in the future?" the reporter asked.
Cao Xiwen laughed and said that while she prefers lighthearted, romantic urban dramas and finds war scenes intimidating, she would likely accept a good script without hesitation if one came along. "There's no helping it—it's an actor's calling."