Playing the Role of a Lifetime — An Interview with Drama Scholar Luo Jing

Interview by Chen Ji'an (Lead Writer), Shuang Yi, Zhang Bili, and Huang Yunmei

‘An outstanding actor, once stepping through the tiger gate, must forget themselves, immerse in the role, and give their heart.’ This powerful and concise statement opens the film The Tiger Gate.

The Tiger Gate is a term in Cantonese opera referring to the stage entrance for actors. Once an actor steps through the Tiger Gate, all the audience's attention is focused on them. The actor has only one task: to follow the script and play their role well. Luo Jing explains, 'Life is like a play. At different stages, we take on different roles and serve in various ways according to the circumstances.' True to her words, she devotes herself wholeheartedly, with no limits and no pretense, earnestly living out her life to its fullest.

Strict Mentor and Beneficial Friend

On the stage of life, the backdrop changes from one scene to the next. When asked which role she has played feels the most natural and effortless, Luo Jing answered without hesitation: 'Of course, being a teacher.'

Luo Jing currently teaches at Hong Kong Baptist University, where she lectures on Chinese language and literature. Known as 'Killer,' she is famously uncompromising in her grading, prompting students to bring their absolute best effort to her classes. However, beneath her strict demeanor, Professor Luo is genuinely devoted to investing her time and energy in her students.

One of her students in a novel-writing class produced work that was obscure and difficult to understand, drawing criticism from the supervising instructor. Frustrated at feeling misunderstood, the student demanded a change of teacher. Several instructors, finding the student a headache, were unwilling to take on the challenge. Luo Jing, however, willingly accepted this 'hot potato.' She painstakingly read through every word of the student's 7,000-word manuscript, created a character list for the story, and conducted a thorough analysis. She then met with the student, honestly pointing out the strengths and areas for improvement in the work. Touched by the effort and care Luo put into her feedback, the student realized how much the teacher valued and believed in them. Their attitude took a complete 180-degree turn as they humbly noted every suggestion Luo offered and revised their work repeatedly. In the end, this novel won an award in a literary competition.

Luo Jing is not intimidated by difficult students. She says, 'The farther a horse can run, the harder it is to tame.' She has a knack for finding effective ways to communicate and tailoring her approach to fit the individual, successfully 'taming the wild horses.' This is what she finds most thrilling about being a teacher. Despite her reputation as 'Killer,' she has a loyal group of followers, as truly dedicated students understand that they can learn far more under her guidance.

One summer semester, the school invited a well-known literary figure to join the faculty, drawing many students to their classes. When asked if she was concerned about losing her own students, Luo Jing calmly replied, 'It depends on whether you want a star or a coach.' A star focuses on their own spotlight, keeping the attention on themselves, while a coach focuses on others, helping their students succeed. Luo Jing is exactly that kind of teacher—a coach who dedicates herself to her students' growth and achievement.

Luo Jing's research focuses on drama, making literature and the stage her natural platforms for connecting with students. Her students are not only required to study and analyze characters but also to participate in scriptwriting and stage performances. She teaches them the importance of role immersion and perspective-taking, inspiring them to apply this awareness to life: 'Acting allows you to step outside of yourself and become someone else. This humbles you and gives you another perspective to view things.'

What kind of growth story shaped this one-of-a-kind teacher?

A coach focuses on others, helping their students succeed. Luo Jing is that kind of teacher, guiding her students to improve step by step.

Young Prodigy

Luo Jing grew up in Tiu Keng Leng, Hong Kong, where material conditions were relatively scarce. From a young age, she displayed a natural talent for storytelling. In elementary school, her favorite pastime was gathering neighborhood children and improvising stories for them, using different voices to portray various characters. The children were captivated by her expressive tone, drawn into the worlds she created, and swayed by the emotions of the storylines—whether sorrowful or joyful. What would have been dull afternoons often came alive with her narratives.

She also wrote down her stories, calling them 'magazines,' producing handwritten copies with only one edition per issue, which the neighborhood children eagerly passed around. From creation and editing to layout and distribution, she handled every step herself, finding joy and fulfillment in the process. In this way, the seeds of her passion for drama and storytelling began to sprout and take root.

Mrs. Luo had high standards and rarely offered words of praise. In her eyes, being a teacher was a noble and stable profession, a perspective that had some influence on Luo Jing's later decision to become a teacher.

In the first semester of her first year in secondary school, Luo Jing’s grades were fairly good. However, her obsession with comic books caused her performance to decline, and by the second semester, she was placed in the class with the lowest academic standing. What initially felt like a devastating blow turned out to be the catalyst for her journey into the world of writing. Her homeroom teacher, Mr. Liu, who taught Chinese, discovered her talent for writing. Each week, he would post her essays on the classroom bulletin board as exemplary works and frequently encouraged her to participate in various speech, calligraphy, and writing competitions. Under his encouragement, Luo Jing won numerous awards, and her proficiency in Chinese improved dramatically. On her report card, Mr. Liu wrote: 'She could rival the talented women of ancient times!'

This experience in secondary school ignited the engine of Luo Jing's journey into the world of writing and laid the foundation for her future as a drama scholar.

Formosa's Literary Charm

With her strong background in Chinese studies, Luo Jing was admitted to the Chinese Department at Taiwan Normal University. At the time, most of her Taiwanese classmates had grown up immersed in classical Chinese literature and were thoughtful, intellectual youth. Some were well-versed in the I Ching, while others were highly intuitive Buddhists. Luo Jing was the only Christian in her class and, having been born and raised in Hong Kong, was seen by her classmates as someone from a colonial background. These differences in upbringing and faith often led to debates when discussing matters of belief. Whether willingly or not, these debates became a turning point for Luo Jing, helping her to solidify her faith.

Luo Jing is someone who relentlessly pursues answers and never lets go of any questions about her faith. In debates, her Christian beliefs often collided with other philosophical ideas. For instance, how does Mozi's concept of 'universal love' differ from Christianity's 'agape love'? Unfamiliar with Mozi's teachings, she immediately enrolled in a philosophy course on Mozi. When classmates cited Nietzsche to challenge Christianity, she audited History of Western Philosophy at National Taiwan University and then returned to continue the debate.
羅菁說：「信仰需要知識和經歷的結合，少一樣都不行。」在師大國文系，羅菁是當時系裡極少數的基督徒之一，常受老師同學的訕笑和質疑。思考型的她勇於面對，四年下來，一邊讀經，一邊思考，一邊論辯，信仰的根基越扎越穩，真理越釐越清，成為她的信仰跨過理性關口的重要時期。她還在校園裡帶領查經小組，雖然缺少同工，單打獨鬥十分辛苦，但這段歷練，為她將來在教會中事奉打下了良好的基礎。

Studying Abroad in the West

During her university years in Taiwan, Luo Jing developed a growing interest in the Bible and apologetics. After graduating, she taught at a secondary school in Hong Kong for a few years before applying to study at Dallas Theological Seminary in the United States, beginning her journey as a working student abroad. Having pursued rigorous intellectual inquiry during her secondary and university years, this period marked a shift. Surrounded by a community of spiritually mature individuals, she engaged in daily exchanges and growth. The intellectual struggles she had wrestled with for years came to a halt, and her understanding of God began to deepen through the trials and experiences of everyday life.

When Luo Jing went to the U.S., she had only $800 with her. For eight years, she worked and studied simultaneously, often struggling financially. One day, she checked her pocket and found she had only a single coin left—just enough for the subway fare to her workplace, but nothing for food, let alone the ride home. Amazingly, that very day happened to be payday, allowing her to afford the ride back. Occurrences like this happened frequently, giving her firsthand experience of God's miraculous provision. Through these moments, God's faithfulness moved from being an abstract concept to a tangible reality in her life.

While working in the U.S., Luo Jing transitioned from being a highly respected Chinese teacher to taking on humble blue-collar jobs. The bittersweet experiences of this journey are documented in her book When Heaven Meets Earth.

‘At first, it was, of course, emotionally difficult... I cried as thoughts of Tao Yuanming, who refused to bow for a mere five bushels of rice, Qu Yuan, who faced unrecognized talent, and Goujian, who endured hardship for eventual triumph, flashed through my mind. For the first time since learning about them, I found myself identifying with their struggles in an almost self-consoling way. After months of inner turmoil, this realization brought a sense of emotional balance—better than seeing a therapist.’

Luo Jing completed two master’s degrees in the United States, one in theology and the other in drama. While studying drama in New York, she felt like a bird soaring into the sky: 'When acting, stepping out from the Tiger Gate on the side of the stage feels like entering an entirely new state of being. The excitement and exhilaration are unparalleled, even greater than the joy writing brings.' 'By portraying different characters, you gain insight into various situations and inner worlds, and this makes acting a humbling experience.'

Studying and performing drama gave her a deeper understanding of life and later enabled her to share the gospel with greater love and empathy for others.

Reflecting on her tumultuous academic journey, Luo Jing said: 'My faith has been a process of transforming knowledge into experience and ideas into genuine belief. The process of thinking should be accompanied by life experiences, not just theories and formulas. Only by combining the two can faith truly become solid and impactful, capable of touching hearts.'

▲ Professor Luo Jing (seated in the center) interacting with participants at the 2018 Southern California Writing Camp.

Church Planting

As a drama scholar, Luo Jing's latest act on the stage of life is co-founding a new church—Yuen Long Chapel in Hong Kong—with like-minded Christian friends. In this ministry, she has found spiritual companions to serve alongside her. Her years of faith-based reflection and spiritual experiences have now become a source of strength and support for many.

Yuen Long Chapel is located in a low-income area of Hong Kong, with members mostly consisting of blue-collar workers, single mothers, and individuals with mental health challenges. Here, theological theories and eloquent rhetoric hold little value. However, Luo Jing's background in drama studies and literary training has proven unexpectedly useful. She explains, 'Evangelism requires communication, and communication has always been the core of my training as a drama researcher and a creative writing teacher. You must understand who your audience is and what their needs are to communicate effectively.'

Luo Jing set aside her academic persona and became a student of a fellow alumna from the Chinese Department at Taiwan Normal University, who was skilled in massage therapy. Every Sunday after their church gatherings, Luo would voluntarily offer massages to those who were physically weak. With each knead and press, stiff muscles began to relax, stubborn pain points were eased, and the unspoken sorrows of the heart were lightened. Both body and soul found comfort and relief.

One day, an elderly woman with a sharp voice, a sorrowful expression, and eccentric clothing walked into the church. She lived on the margins of society, sharing a 100-square-foot subdivided flat with two men and relying on daily injections to sleep. Luo Jing knew that words alone would struggle to bridge the gap and share the gospel with her. Instead, she walked over, embraced the woman, and took her cold hands in her own, gently rubbing them to transfer warmth. Luo Jing reflected, 'Words can feel intangible... but when you touch someone, they are immediately comforted and begin to open up. Once their heart opens, it becomes much easier to discuss faith.'

Luo Jing's mother, much like her, was a strong-willed individual, which led to a tense mother-daughter relationship throughout Luo Jing's upbringing. However, as her mother aged and required care, Luo Jing spared no effort, commuting two hours daily to visit her. She massaged her mother, fed her, and kept her company. Massage became Luo Jing’s way of expressing love, and their relationship underwent a profound transformation. When asked why she was willing to make such sacrifices for her mother, Luo Jing matter-of-factly replied, 'If I don’t do these things, what else can I do for my mother?'

An actor's professionalism lies in embracing any script and becoming the character they are given. This is also Luo Jing's attitude toward every role entrusted to her by God. In the university lecture hall, she is the confident and authoritative teacher, imparting knowledge and resolving doubts. In the church, she is the swift and compassionate masseuse caring for the marginalized. Before her mother, she is the dedicated caregiver who lets her actions speak louder than words.

From one scene of life to the next, Luo Jing obeys the Director in heaven, allowing God to define her roles at each stage. Through performing and learning, she gains insight into the Director’s intentions, fully living out each role entrusted to her by God. This is what it means to follow Christ.

Interviewee profile:

Luo Jingholds a bachelor's degree in Chinese literature from Taiwan Normal University, a master's degree in Theater History and Criticism from Brooklyn College, City University of New York, a master's degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Lingnan University in Hong Kong. She has long served as a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, teaching courses such as theater performance, play analysis and playwriting, as well as creative writing. Using different pen names for private and public writing, she published the essay collection When Heaven Meets Earth under her real name, which won the 1998 Christian Tong Ching Literary Award. She co-authored Exploring the Beautiful New Kingdom with Lee Qi-nian and directed the stage play We Are Divided in Love.