Recent buzz over Zhao Benshan's Hainan land investment gains highlights the veteran comic's long-term, steady business acumen and far-sighted layout.
News that Zhao Benshan has purchased land in Hainan has been circulating widely recently, and industry insiders were taken aback after doing the math.
In the early years, he acquired 800 mu of land in Boao, Hainan, with plans to build a film and television studio. At the time, the local government had just approved the plan for the Hainan International Tourism Island, and land prices had not yet risen.Zhao Hengyu, vice chairman of Ben Shan Media, later revealed that half of the 800 mu was designated for the film and television complex, while the other half was set aside for hotel facilities. Located just a two- to three-minute drive from Boao’s central district and 200 to 300 meters from the beach, the location was chosen with exceptional precision.What happened next is common knowledge—Hainan was approved as an International Tourism Island, and land prices skyrocketed. Based on an initial investment of 1.3 billion that year, the property is now worth at least 2.6 billion, even by the most conservative estimate.
If this had happened to anyone else, they would most likely have been bragging far and wide about their keen eye. But Zhao Benshan didn’t say a word.
Thirty years ago, he was by no means an investment guru. Born in a rural village in Tieling, he learned to play the “Shuai Sanxian” from a blind teacher in his early years and later gained some fame in Northeast China with his performance of “Shuai Sanxian.” What truly propelled him to national fame, however, was Jiang Kun’s endorsement in 1987.He first appeared on the Spring Festival Gala stage in 1990 and remained a fixture there for a full twenty-one years, becoming the “King of Skits” recognized by people across the country.
After becoming famous, he didn’t rest on his laurels on stage; in 2003, he founded Ben Shan Media and, in the same year, established the Liu Laogen Grand Stage, moving the errenzhuan from small theaters to large ones.By 2010, the Liu Laogen Grand Stage alone had staged over 1,700 performances that year, with revenue exceeding 220 million and taxes paid amounting to more than 70 million.
Some people like him, while others can’t stand him; the controversy has never ceased for decades. But he hardly ever responds—he films TV dramas when he needs to, opens theaters when he needs to, and makes investments when he needs to.The land in Hainan was acquired before 2010; the expansion of the Liu Laogen Grand Stage was carried out in stages; and Ben Shan Media’s annual revenue was earned through hard work and dedication.
Steady. Don’t be reckless or rush things; instead, build a solid foundation step by step—that’s the only way to truly weather any storm. The same goes for ordinary people when making plans: don’t always focus on flashy, short-term projects; instead, work steadily to strengthen your foundation—that’s more effective than anything else.
