Meet Lidong Wang

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lidong Wang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lidong, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?

I believe my sense of empathy was shaped by a combination of personal experience and emotional exposure from an early age. First, growing up in a collective environment taught me that in order to be accepted and thrive within a group, I had to understand others’ perspectives and regulate my own behavior. This constant need for social attunement helped me develop what psychologists might call cognitive empathy—the ability to see a situation from someone else’s point of view.

Secondly, my parents had a difficult relationship. As a child, I often feared that my actions might trigger conflict between them. This heightened emotional sensitivity made me more attuned to the moods and needs of those around me. This aligns more closely with emotional empathy—feeling what others feel, sometimes even before they express it.

Lastly, I’ve consumed a large number of films and TV dramas from a young age. Storytelling helped me step into countless lives and situations beyond my own, expanding my emotional range and deepening my understanding of human experiences. Research shows that narrative media can increase affective empathy by allowing us to experience emotions through characters.

Together, these experiences helped cultivate a strong sense of empathy—not just as a reaction, but as a mindset I carry into everyday interactions.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Lidong Wang, and I’m a graduate student in Film Production, originally from China. My journey with film began early—growing up, cinema was more than just entertainment. It was a window into the world, offering me insight into society, culture, human nature, and emotion. From a young age, I was profoundly moved by the power of storytelling and knew I wanted to become a filmmaker—someone who could create work that resonates, informs, and inspires.

For me, film is not just a medium of art, but a vehicle for empathy and social reflection. I’m particularly drawn to stories about marginalized communities and social issues, both in China and globally. My work often centers on those whose voices are rarely heard, and I strive to use the camera not only as a tool for observation but as a bridge for understanding. I truly believe in the power of film to shift perspectives and spark real dialogue.

Looking ahead, I see myself growing into the role of a producer and documentary filmmaker, supporting powerful voices and bringing socially conscious stories to broader audiences. There’s something incredibly exciting about shaping projects from the ground up, from nurturing the initial idea to guiding the process of making it real, meaningful, and accessible.

Whether through creative producing or nonfiction storytelling, my goal remains the same: to make films that leave a lasting impact—emotionally, intellectually, and socially.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

As a filmmaker, I believe my three core strengths are communication, empathy, and the ability to learn.

My empathy was shaped by the environment I grew up in. I think communication is something I’m naturally gifted at—especially because when someone is able to see things from another’s perspective, conversations tend to flow more smoothly. I’ve also enjoyed participating in group activities from a young age, including public speaking and debate, which have greatly enhanced my verbal expression and interpersonal skills.

When I talk about learning, I’m referring to the ability to quickly grasp new skills and distill patterns from experience that can be applied to future practice. I believe this ability has been cultivated through my long-standing interest in the humanities, society, history, and politics. As we grow older, I believe it becomes increasingly important to pay attention to the world around us—especially the news and social changes. We live in an age of information overflow: information creates wealth, shapes power, and generates opportunity. Only through constant learning and reflection can we truly harness the information we encounter and turn it into something extraordinary.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

If I knew I only had ten years left to live, I would set off immediately to travel the world—to explore the boundaries of my own understanding.

I’ve always believed that the meaning of life lies not in repeating yesterday’s path, but in constantly striving to understand the world, others, and ourselves. This exploration may take the form of a deeper insight into human emotion, or it may be the firsthand experience of nature’s beauty and the richness of culture and history. In any case, life should never be a copy-and-paste routine—it should be a continuous journey of discovery.

Right now, I do love traveling, but reality often convinces me that I must first improve my skills and accumulate wealth before I can truly “deserve” the journey. Yet if I only had ten years left, I would choose to fulfill my desires now—not treating the experience of the world as a reward, but embracing it as life itself.

I would do everything I can to connect with different civilizations, to encounter diverse cultures in a real and meaningful way, and to witness the wide spectrum of human lifestyles and emotional expression. I want each day to be more than a repeat of the last—it should bring new wonder, new emotion, and a fresh sense of awe.

Because I believe the true density of life is not measured by how long we live, but by how deeply we’ve embraced the world with our whole heart.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: yiwen3862

Image Credits

Lidong Wang