He Wei

Biodata

Background / History

Coverage of Zhang Kuang’s Breakthrough

He Wei provides CCTV-5 commentary on Zhang Kuang’s Manchester United matches, regularly working alongside Xu Yang. During United’s visit to Everton, he compares Zhang’s extraordinary strength to an “Eastern Super Saiyan” and describes the match’s sudden reversals through poetic commentary 107 108.

When Zhang scores against Glasgow Rangers, He Wei announces his first Champions League goal as a historic breakthrough for Chinese football, urging viewers to remember September 15, 2010. His subsequent commentary connects Zhang’s performances with the possibility of winning the Champions League Golden Boot and Ballon d’Or 110 111.

He also travels for on-site coverage. He and Xu Yang commentate from Hong Kong Stadium for Zhang’s Hong Kong debut against Uzbekistan, with CCTV-5 broadcasting that match instead of the mainland national team’s friendly 159.

Exclusive Interview

Following Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph, He Wei leads a CCTV-5 crew to Zhang’s hotel for an exclusive interview. A camera operator, sound recordist, and two producers convert a rented conference room into a temporary studio. He opens by suggesting they treat the interview as an ordinary conversation 181.

The discussion begins with Zhang’s Pendulum goal in the final, then moves into practical technique and Chinese football’s training methods. He Wei asks about first touches, passing accuracy, dribbling at speed, and the purpose of deceptive movements. Zhang’s answers challenge his assumptions about the relationship between physical ability, technique, and efficient attacking play 181.

The interview also forces He Wei to reconsider explanations he has previously offered on television. When Zhang argues that outdated methods—not racial limitations—are responsible for domestic players’ shortcomings, He Wei blushes, remembering that he has used racial explanations himself. He asks how the situation can be remedied and encourages Zhang to publish his observations for the benefit of Chinese football 181.

The conversation continues into kung fu rumors, food, domestic-brand endorsements, award voting, and hostility from Messi’s supporters. He Wei grows more admiring of Zhang’s willingness to criticize Chinese football without dismissing everything Chinese. He also redirects the discussion toward less sensitive ground when necessary. Zhang later cooks a feast for the production team 182.

Major Broadcasts

Appearance

• For the 2011–12 Champions League final broadcast, He Wei wears a dark gray suit and white shirt without a tie. He appears more serious than usual, though visibly excited 301.

Personality

He Wei is emotionally invested in football and particularly moved by Zhang Kuang’s achievements as a Chinese player. His enthusiasm can become openly partisan: viewers complain that he and Xu Yang sound like Zhang’s personal promoters rather than neutral CCTV commentators 136. His response to Zhang’s Ballon d’Or speech similarly connects sporting success with Chinese cultural identity 257.

His exchanges with colleagues show a playful, occasionally competitive streak. He jokes that Xu Yang can cry because the audience cannot see him, and privately reacts as though Xu is stealing his thunder when his partner delivers poetic commentary of his own 107 145.

Despite his exuberance, He Wei is conscious of broadcast sensitivities. He struggles to respond when Zhang Lu openly predicts the mainland national team’s elimination, and later interrupts criticism of players’ commitment to avoid inflaming viewers’ anger 242 309. His interview with Zhang also shows a willingness to acknowledge uncomfortable mistakes and reconsider established beliefs 181.

Abilities & Skills

Poetic Commentary

He Wei combines live narration with verse, historical imagery, and extended metaphors 111 149 180.

• Describes headers as siege weapons and defenders as collapsing fortresses 111.
• Uses heroic battlefield imagery to celebrate exhausting runs and decisive finishes 149.
• Explains the appeal of Zhang’s goals through what he calls a distinctly Chinese spirit of heroism and chivalry 254.

Match Presentation and Analysis

He prepares broadcasts with written notes and combines play-by-play narration with questions for his analyst 180 282 301.

• Introduces lineups, officials, managerial backgrounds, and pre-match storylines 201 205.
• Discusses technical details such as first-touch control, passing decisions, and free-kick placement 140 156 254.
• Challenges questionable incidents, including defenders pressing down on Zhang’s shoulders and exaggerated acting during play 222 284.

Interviewing

He uses match footage, prepared questions, and follow-ups to draw out detailed explanations 181 182.

• Uses an animated replay of the FA Cup final goal to begin discussing football technique 181.
• Pursues practical explanations relevant to domestic players and coaches 181.
• Balances questions about controversy with gentler changes of subject 182.

Relationships

• Zhang Kuang — Frequent subject of his commentary and exclusive interview. He admires Zhang’s performances, while their conversation substantially changes his understanding of Chinese football’s problems 181 182.
• Xu Yang — Regular commentary partner. Their broadcasts mix technical discussion, mutual humor, and increasingly elaborate poetic praise 107 108 145.
• Zhang Lu — Commentary partner for club and international football. He Wei prompts his analysis but sometimes has to manage his blunt criticism of the mainland national team 242 266 309.

Notable Quotes

“Football is that cruel. One moment, you're enjoying pure sunshine above the clouds; the next, you could fall into the mud of the mortal world and be trampled.” 107

“Every Chinese player ought to thank me. I've pried some football techniques out of Zhang Kuang for you here.” 181

“Every time I watch Zhang Kuang score, it stirs a heroic spirit in my heart, a sense of poetry.” 254