SHANGHAI, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- A 67-year-old retiree stepped out of his makeup trailer with a slap mark still on his cheek, wrapping up his first day on the set of a short-drama filmed at Hengdian World Studios, known as China's Hollywood.

For three days, the man surnamed Yan played a henpecked husband who got slapped by the villain, almost nailing one scene in a single take.

"My quick memorization and precise pronunciation earned me praise from the director," Yan said, adding that he had felt a rush that he can't remember feeling since his first accordion recital as a youth decades ago. "Age should not be a barrier to pursuing one's passions and dreams."

Yan's high spirits are in good company in the bustling city of Shanghai, where a group of seniors is redefining what it means to retire. They are actively embracing new challenges, learning new skills and using their passions to start the second act of their lives with vigor and enthusiasm.

Wu, a 63-year-old retiree, has spent the past three years exploring dozens of countries. During his travels, he has mastered the use of drones and video editing software. Recently, he has even started using AI models to generate video scripts.

While traveling, Wu maintained a rigorous schedule of posting one video on social media each day. Although his social media following is modest, the likes and comments from his loved ones give him a great sense of achievement.

"Retirement offers me ample time to explore new things and see the world," Wu said. He has met several drone enthusiasts of various ages. They now share tips on the best locations for drone photography and discuss the pros and cons of different drone models.

Lu Xiaojie, 63, is always looking for new challenges. Wondering if traditional cheongsams could be reimagined for the metaverse, she helped create digital cheongsams that made a splash at the Yangtze River Delta Cheongsam Innovation Design Competition.

Building on this success, Lu and her team performed a cultural heritage metaverse show in Shanghai's Sijing Ancient Town. The show featured traditional paper-cutting in headpieces and hand-dyed cheongsams, all enhanced by 3D lighting.

Wang Wenqing, head of an elderly services center in Shanghai, said that today's retirees are very different from stereotypical seniors. They have expanded their horizons beyond their neighborhoods, keen on visiting new places. Their schedules are packed with activities like singing, dancing, learning new skills and traveling together.

"Sometimes, it's necessary to make appointments just to meet with them," Wang quipped.

Official data shows that by the end of 2024, there were more than 310 million people aged 60 and above in China, accounting for 22 percent of the total population.

To meet the growing spiritual and cultural needs of the elderly, the center has expanded its services. It has introduced professional third-party organizations offering courses in traditional handicrafts, ethnic dances and local opera styles, all of which are very popular among seniors.

In response to requests from elderly residents to learn about AI software to help tutor their grandchildren, the Hongqiao subdistrict has also launched relevant courses, enabling many seniors to feel closer to their grandchildren after learning these new skills, according to Wang.

For the silver-haired, retirement is no longer the beginning of the epilogue but one for a fresh chapter in life.

Zhu, a 77-year-old grandmother who has battled chronic kidney disease and undergone hip surgery, found a new lease on life when Lu invited her to join a troupe of fashionista grandmas.

Her first runway walk was a life-changing experience, she said. Her old friends had been amazed to see her photos online, as many had thought she might not be around anymore, she joked.

"Don't let age define you. Seniors don't have to stay cooped up at home, and the young need not fear growing older," Zhu said. "Life has no set script. Every chapter of your life is only the beginning." ■