Stepping into Jim Filbird's home in Xili, Nanshan District in Shenzhen, feels like entering a living art installation. A signed poster of his iconic role as General MacArthur in The Battle of Chosin Lake watches over the space. This is the private world of Jim: the American "Global Communication Ambassador" who's called Shenzhen home for 20 years, far removed from his online persona as the viral "Five-Star Commentator."
It's the MacArthur memorabilia that tells the most compelling chapter of his story. "When fans ask for autographs, I'm ready!" he smiles. That role became his lifeline in 2020 when, reeling from business failures, a Guangzhou agent's call led to his casting in China's blockbuster war epic. Subsequent collaboration with an MCN agency catapulted his "Five-Star Commentator" persona to fame, amassing 8 million followers across five platforms.
"Everything started here—in Shenzhen, in Nanshan," Jim reflects, crediting the district's innovative ecosystem for his renaissance. From depression to cinematic glory, from balcony gardens to internet stardom—Jim Filbird's Nanshan home stands as a testament to Shenzhen's power to transform lives.
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Reporter | Cai Minling
Video shooting | Lv Shijun, Xie Haoran
Video editing | Wang Shu
Planning | Zhang Guangyan, Gu Zhengyu
Editor | Huang Qini, James, Shen He
