Viral pop song inspires Chinese comedy 'I Grass, I Love'

The new Chinese comedy "I Grass, I Love," which will be released during the May Day holiday, is inspired by a viral song by pop duo Phoenix Legend, with one member of the group in the starring role.

The cast and crew of "I Grass, I Love" interact with the audience at the film's premiere in Beijing, April 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of NumeroUs Movie]

The Chinese title translates directly as "The Boundless Horizon Is My Love," a lyric from "The Hottest Ethnic Trend," a song the duo released in 2009 that gained global popularity in 2012 through fan edits and parody videos. The song was even featured in a Houston Rockets NBA cheerleading performance in April 2012.

In the film, Zeng Yi, a member of Phoenix Legend, stars as a veteran truck driver who embarks on a chaotic 5,000-kilometer sheep delivery from Inner Mongolia to Hunan province, joined by a fame-obsessed young rapper who believes he is part of a reality show.

Zeng Yi performs on stage at the premiere of "I Grass, I Love" in Beijing, April 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of NumeroUs Movie]

Capitalizing on its ties to pop culture, the road movie debuted with a live concert and film event Monday in Beijing. Zeng Yi and the cast performed nostalgic hits, sending the packed Beijing Exhibition Center theater into a frenzy.

For Zeng, the venue holds special meaning — it's where Phoenix Legend staged their debut concert 15 years ago.

"Whether as a singer or actor, my original aspiration remains unchanged," he said on stage. "I'm still that clueless kid who tackles everything with grit, but now I've also become a 52-year-old lone warrior charging into the film business."

Zeng added, "We take comedy seriously, we take filmmaking seriously."

The Chopstick Brothers reunite and perform at the premiere of "I Grass, I Love" in Beijing, April 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of NumeroUs Movie]

An emotional moment came when the Chopstick Brothers, music duo Xiao Yang and Wang Taili, took the stage to perform. The pair, who rose to fame in 2010 with their Michael Jackson-inspired short film "Old Boys" and the 2014 viral hit "Little Apple," reunite in "I Grass, I Love."

This marks their first film together since the 2014 feature "Old Boys: The Way of the Dragon." After that, Xiao pursued a solo film career, starring in several blockbusters, including "Detective Chinatown" and "Octopus with Broken Arms."

The cast and crew of "I Grass, I Love" interact with the packed audience at the Beijing Exhibition Center during the film's premiere, April 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of NumeroUs Movie]

Directed by Chen Xiaoliang, "I Grass, I Love" stars Zhou Qi, Sun Yizhou, Liu Yan, Wang Yuwen and Wang Xun. Renowned writer and screenwriter Liu Zhenyun serves as art director.

Liu described the film as "an easy, entertaining holiday watch that delivers laughs, some warped logic and a few cringe-worthy moments."