Smiling Life Photography

Author: Han Xiao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features: At the press conference for her photo album Clarity, Han Xiao, dressed in a crimson red robe and looking like a bride, cried tearfully, her delicate makeup smudged. Later, when we discussed this incident, she, already a well-known host at the Jinan Radio Economic Frequency, seemed slightly embarrassed as she shifted her body but quickly regained her composed demeanor. "These tears don’t represent sadness; they just made me feel deeply emotional. Truly. I’m a stranger in Jinan, and it’s truly incredibly difficult to reach this point in this unfamiliar city." In 1992, she followed her love and moved from Hangzhou to Jinan. In 1993, she joined Jinan Radio as a host and pioneered a hotline counseling program, Han Xiao Time, which became immensely popular overnight, making her a household name among listeners. For ten years, she lived boldly, joyfully, and freely, even disregarding others’ reactions. Once, a listener called her: "Han Xiao, can you really say anything in your show?" "As long as it doesn’t oppose the Party or socialism, and doesn’t violate journalistic ethics, you can say anything!" That was her unfiltered straightforwardness: "My ideal is to be a people’s host. In the program, I’m not the listener’s teacher, and the listener isn’t my teacher. I’m just an equal listener to you. I’m not afraid of offending people. If a man makes you pregnant for three months and then rejects you, I’ll call you foolish." At that point, Han Xiao burst into laughter, a loud, unrestrained laugh. To her colleagues and friends, Han Xiao was bold and free-spirited—still wearing camisoles, long skirts, and backless dresses at 34—but they excused it because she was a girl from the south. To her lover, Han Xiao remained the charming, passionate university girl she had been, because "because I love you, I let you live as you wish, as long as you’re happy, I’m happy too." To me, a stranger, Han Xiao was like a blooming rose, radiant and unrestrained, because her way of life was something I’d never experienced, so I accepted her. In this way, she became even more bold, brilliant, indulgent, and self-indulgent. In 2003, it was the tenth year since she entered the radio industry, so Clarity—Han Xiao’s Life in Photos was born. She had always been a woman unlike others, so she chose this unconventional way to bid farewell to her 33rd year. In this collection, one of my favorite photos shows Han Xiao in a grass-green shirt, soft eye makeup, flowing hair, and a gentle, composed smile. It’s the Han Xiao of extraordinary tranquility. Han Xiao says this is another side of her in life, though it only represents a tiny part, but it’s a genuine expression. It’s precisely because of this peaceful support that the Han Xiao in public and the Han Xiao before the microphone could bloom so brilliantly. Truly, as we discussed tranquility, Han Xiao suddenly became quiet, a soft, gentle quiet: "I want to be the kind of person this city lacks. The word is ‘not indulging in the city,’ but fully indulging in our gender, as a woman’s gender. I believe women must be a little clever, a little cultured, and a little charming. Only those who are full of charm are true women." The tranquility in her heart creates a genuine Han Xiao.