Blogging taxi driver takes road to fame

"We had interviewed his uncle before developing the storyline for the 2019 film," recalls Ning.

The archetype individual, characterized by his helpful, hospitable, and talkative nature, embodies a subset of native Beijing taxi drivers, who enjoy exchanging perspectives on international and domestic affairs with passengers and typically possess a broad spectrum of knowledge, Ning says.

After being invited on board to codirect the film, Xu, who shot to fame for the award-winning suspense comedy Summer Detective, recalls that he and the cameraman Cheng Ma sought out the ideal filming locations in Beijing's hutong areas.

Living in a community near the East Fifth Ring Road, Xu shares that the journey has helped him realize the unique charm of Beijing — from its labyrinthine alleyways to the close-knit relationships among neighbors and the picturesque courtyards adorned with gray tiles, gray walls and red doors.

"The preservation of hutong houses within the Second Ring Road represents a preservation of traditional and classical ways of living," Ning adds.

A native of Taiyuan, Shanxi province, Ning says that he believes Beijing locals, especially those residing in hutong, are renowned across the country for their wit and convivial dispositions, shaped by their distinctive living environment.