What if Lei Feng served today?

Continuing Lei’s story

Lei left a diary, with more than 100 articles, recording his life and thoughts over five years. He was the ultimate example of selflessness, modesty and dedication.

Continuing the story today, Lei shows up still in his green military uniform and classic cap with two military bags emblazoned “Serve the people.” His 12 photos form a complete story from Lei’s first oment of fame to the present day.

The first photo shows Lei standing before Tian’anmen Square with a gun in his hands: behind him is a dog in pet clothes.

Four photos show Lei dedicated to serving other people. He saves a person jumping from a tall building, saves a child from drowning and helps take down the dodgy advertisements stuck to lights and telephone poles.

The last six photos show Lei’s recognition as a cultural icon as official leaders visit him in the hospital and the media covers his good deeds; he even poses in an ad for Canon cameras.

Most scenes were photographed in Tianjin, Dai’s hometown, where it was easier to capture the city’s changing appearance. In the photo where Lei is cleaning up ads on Rongji Avenue, a nearby 50-year-old structure – almost from Lei Feng’s era was still covered with graffiti of the era: red stars, “Serve the People’” and other slogans of that time.

Dai said the building was a former people’s commune that had changed to a grain store before being demolished.

“Lei, in my works, is not only a simple individual, but the symbol of a group of legendary figures. Thrusting Lei into today’s world, half century later, where an old icon can clash with the modern era, may inspire people to think about Lei Feng in modern day values.”