Jian Bing Man 2015

Da Peng plays a version of himself who has built fame and wealth through his web series, and now hopes to propose to his fiancée Amber Kuo. To buy a ten-million-dollar ring, he enters a deal with the gangster boss Liang Chao in his Brother Hai persona, who wants Da Peng to make a movie starring his girlfriend, Du Xiaoxiao. Da Peng manages to secure the ring, but a bar fight sparks a scandal that tarnishes his reputation and costs him his job, and he loses the ring just as Amber calls off the engagement. When Brother Hai learns of the trouble, he chases Da Peng for repayment. Da Peng survives by claiming he has already reached out to [Du Xiaoxiao] and that the money will be channeled into production. Satisfied, the gangster lets him go, but only on the condition that the movie is completed.

Facing mounting pressure, Da Peng pivots to making the film he calls Jian Bing Man (Pancake Man). He rounds up a small crew—his assistant Pan Binlong, a background actor Ma Tao, and paparazzi photographer Hu Haiquan—and sets out to shoot a superhero adventure about a hero who fights a vast criminal empire that has kidnapped many, including his beloved. With no budget to hire well-known stars, Da Peng has to improvise: he positions his colleagues in scenarios that resemble the script and films them without their knowledge, turning real-life moments into the movie’s scenes.

As the project unfolds, the production gains surprising momentum. Da Peng reveals that this film is more than a stunt; it is a reflection of a childhood dream to become a superhero, a confession that imbues the crew with renewed purpose. The process brings in cameos from famous personalities who collaborate in the name of the project, helping to legitimize the film in the eyes of the crew and audiences alike. Among the recorded moments are appearances by Sandra Ng Kwun-Yu, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai, Yue Yunpeng, and Deng Chao, each participating in improvised scenes that blur the line between reality and the fictional world Da Peng is constructing.

The editing room becomes a space where ambition and ethics collide. Da Peng’s intentions are noble, but he must confront the fact that he never obtained consent from the people he filmed to use their likeness in a commercial project. Legal risks surface, and his own entertainment company cautions him that releasing such a film could invite lawsuits. Faced with this looming threat, Da Peng makes a tough decision: he halts production and dissolves the crew. His friends and colleagues are disappointed and view the decision as a form of cowardice, yet Da Peng remains uncertain about the right path. His best friend, Liu Yan, offers encouragement, urging him to persevere and follow the dream.

Ultimately, Da Peng presses on and completes Jian Bing Man with the help of additional stars, including unforgettable cameos by Jean-Claude Van Damme, Ekin Cheng Yee-Kin, and Jordan Chan Siu-Chun. Their congratulations underscore a shared belief in Da Peng’s vision, even if the release of the film remains uncertain. They propose a path forward: rework the project into a movie about the making of the film itself, a meta-story that could still capture audiences and allow Da Peng to collaborate with these beloved artists again. The tale closes on a note of stubborn optimism and creative resilience, with Da Peng navigating legal and financial tensions while clinging to a lifelong dream that the people around him increasingly support.