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AsiaOne
a day ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
Zen Chong looks back on 'stuck' showbiz career, says without luck, 'no matter how hard you try, you also cannot get it', Entertainment News
Many would regard ruthless businessman Robert Zhang from The Little Nyonya (2008) as an iconic Singapore drama villain. But despite his popularity, the same cannot be said of Singapore-based Malaysian actor Zen Chong who brought him to life. The 46-year-old, who is nominated for Star Awards 2025 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, told AsiaOne in an interview recently that while he enjoys acting very much, sometimes it's takes more than just passion and talent to make it a career. "It's all about luck and I think it really plays a very important role. It's like, if fate doesn't align at the moment and it (an acting opportunity) doesn't belong to you, no matter how hard you try, you also cannot get it," he said. Zen made his Singapore showbiz debut in 2001 after he finished third place in the Malaysian edition of Star Search that year. Besides playing Robert in The Little Nyonya, he's also known for playing convenient store staff Hong Daji in local Mandarin sitcom Lobang King (2003), which stars Chew Chor Meng and the late Huang Wenyong. Zen told us that luck was what helped him land the role of Robert, a character so iconic that people on the streets — even in China — still call him by that name. However, despite the success of the drama and his role, he found that his acting career became stagnant. "My career got stuck after The Little Nyonya. It wasn't booming despite what others thought. So, I decided to take a part-time job as a property agent. I felt insecure [about my showbiz career], so I needed to do something else," Zen shared. He elaborated: "There wasn't an increase in my salary and acting opportunities. I thought to myself that it was time to assess my acting career." Zen became a part-time property agent in 2012, juggling his acting career until his contract with Mediacorp ended in 2014. Despite being a public figure, Zen said he went "all in" in his new career: "I didn't care that I was an artiste and needed to protect my image. When working in the estate market, I really ' chiong ' (go for it)." He was involved in many aspects of the job including showroom sales, distributing flyers in malls and meeting potential buyers, who frequently recognised him. "I was still young then, so I had to try everything," he added. Zen now owns his own company Crescere Asset Management, where he is involved in financial management, including assets and funds. When asked if he had felt it was a pity that his acting career didn't flourish, he said: "Whether it's a pity or not, it's not my call. I like to act, but luck plays a very important part. My social skills weren't so good in the past." Zen still acts on a project basis nowadays, including as swimming coach Yan Qingheng in sports-romance drama Hope Afloat (2024) and upcoming dystopian-crime series The Leftovers (2026). He shared: "Acting is a platform for me to destress, because I am very stressed in my other career. When I am acting, I can play another person and unload my emotions through the character." Voting for Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes is now available till July 6, 7.30pm on the Mediacorp website. Voters can make up to 10 votes per account, per award category, per day. On July 6 from 12am to 7.30pm, voters can make unlimited votes for each category. Star Awards 2025 will be presented on July 6, starting from Backstage Live at 3.30pm to 10.30pm, Walk of Fame from 5pm to 6.30pm, the awards show from 7pm to 10pm and Post-Party from 10pm to 10.30pm. The awards show and Walk of Fame will air on Channel 8, Channel U, Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel, Post-Party will air on Channel U, Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel, while Backstage Live will air on the latter two platforms. [[nid:719173]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
AsiaOne
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
'I thought I was a forgotten actress': Apple Hong touched by supporters' messages after Star Awards' popularity nomination, Entertainment News
When Apple Hong received a congratulatory text from her BFF, actress Priscelia Chan, about two weeks ago, she was puzzled. "I was having dinner outside when Priscelia texted me, saying, 'Hey Apple, congrats, we can go together.' Then I was like, 'What congrats? Go together where?'" the 46-year-old actress recounted in a recent interview with AsiaOne. As it turned out, the nominees for Star Awards 2025 Top 10 Most Popular Artistes had just been announced and Apple, who last received a Star Awards nomination for Best Newcomer in 1999, had made the list. She told us she had been invited by Mediacorp a few months ago to participate in the category but wasn't sure if it was "confirmed". She added: "[At the time], I was thinking, 'Why not for fun?" "Acting for me is on a project basis now when I feel there are certain roles that are quite fun. It's not a full-time job for me anymore after I left a decade ago... I gave my photo to Mediacorp thinking that it might just be for a survey. I also didn't really think much about it and the first person who informed me about my nomination was Priscelia actually." Apple debuted in Singapore showbiz in 1999 after clinching first runner-up in the Malaysian edition of Star Search that year and was offered a contact by Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS, now Mediacorp). Over the years, she performed many memorable characters on screen, including dramas In Pursuit of Peace (2001), Heroes in Black (2001), Eternity: A Chinese Ghost Story (2003), The Little Nyonya (2008) and Joys of Life (2012). She left the broadcaster in 2011 after completing her contract to further her acting career in China. The top 10 most popular nomination this year marks Apple's first in the Star Awards category and she said she was "very surprised and happy" when she first heard the good news. "For me, it's like going to a big party with my good friends," she laughed. Despite that, Apple leaves it to fate when it comes to winning the award. "Actually, I don't have huge hopes of going up on stage, to be honest. But also at the same time, there may be a slim chance, I might get lucky from those who supported me," she said. She also expressed her appreciation towards her supporters. Apple said: "I feel grateful and happy because some of my close friends, family members and fans left comments or privately texted me after they knew of my nomination and said they voted for me. I felt very touched by their messages, because I wasn't involved in Star Awards for so many years; it was never my thing. "I thought I was a forgotten actress. The encouragement and lovely and warm messages that I received from my friends, family and fans made me feel that I really gained something regardless of whether I got the award or not." 'It's a happy surprise when you have the least expectations' We also spoke about her career in local showbiz, including the time when she played memorable roles such as the antagonist Huang Meiyu in The Little Nyonya (2008) but didn't receive a nomination in the awards. Apple recounted: "I remember I was disappointed, because when I acted in The Little Nyonya, I was still a contract artiste with Mediacorp. To be able to participate in The Little Nyonya and main roles in other dramas over the years, I do feel that the company had given me opportunities. But I just didn't get nominated in the popularity category, so there were definitely times when I felt disappointed and wondered why. "But it could also be because my character in The Little Nyonya wasn't likeable, so it's probably understandable why I wasn't nominated." She added that she had also wondered whether the audiences liked her as an actress. When asked if she still had these doubts now, Apple explained: "No, I have matured mentally and learnt to take it easily. I don't take this so seriously now and I treat it normally, leaving it up to fate. It might be good if I gained it, but even if I don't, it's also not a bad thing... "To me, it's most important to live healthily and happily now, so whether I have the award or not, it doesn't matter much to me anymore. My emotions wouldn't be affected by it." She is looking forward to attending the Star Awards this year, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. She laughed: "I feel like I have been 'revived'; to be able to attend the awards again, I'm quite happy about it. It's a happy surprise when you have the least expectations. I look forward to attending the award ceremony with my friends, to dress beautifully, walk the red carpet and present my best self to everyone. This is also to show my respect for the ceremony. "Another thing I am happy about is that it's the show's 30th anniversary. I came to Singapore in 2000 and it has been 25 years. I feel that it's good timing to be able to attend this show. It's not about whether I win an award or not but being a part of Singapore's showbiz." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apple Hong 洪乙心 (@applehong) You can vote for the Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes from now till July 6, 4.30pm on the Mediacorp website. Voters can make up to 10 votes per account, per award category, per day. On July 6 from 12am to 7.30pm, voters can make unlimited votes for each category. Star Awards 2025 will be presented on July 6, starting from Backstage Live at 3.30pm to 10.30pm, Walk of Fame from 5pm to 6.30pm, the awards show from 7pm to 10pm and Post-Party from 10pm to 10.30pm. Backstage Live will air on Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel, while Walk of Fame and the awards show will air on Channel 8, Channel U, Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel. Post-Party will air on Channel U, Mewatch and the Mediacorp Entertainment YouTube channel. [[nid:718328]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
The Star
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Actor Mark Lee and friends dress up as 'little nyonyas' in Emerald Hill parody
Love 972 DJs of radio programme The Breakfast Quartet (from left) Dennis Chew, Marcus Chin and Mark Lee parodying Mediacorp's hit series 'Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story'. Photos: Love 972 FM/Instagram Singapore's biggest show of the moment, the Mandarin drama Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story , wrapped its run on Netflix and mewatch on April 21. And the co-hosts of Love 972 radio programme The Breakfast Quartet – Mark Lee, Dennis Chew and Marcus Chin – have jumped in on the action. They dressed in sarong kebayas to parody the series, a spin-off of the hugely popular drama The Little Nyonya (2008 to 2009). Fellow programme host Chen Biyu was not part of the parody. They posted a clip, titled Pearl Hill Episode 1 , on Instagram on April 15, before following up with Pearl Hill Finale on April 21. In the videos, Lee takes on the role of protagonist Zhang Xinniang, played by Tasha Low in the series. Chew parodies Zhang Anna, the villain and Xinniang's nemesis, played by Chantalle Ng. And Chin plays matriarch Liu Xiuniang, portrayed by Zoe Tay. The three men recreate the opening sequence of Emerald Hill , walking into a room and looking into the camera pointedly, set to the series' theme song, Flowers Falling Like Rain by local singer Kit Chan. Instead of focusing on the complicated relationships of the central Zhang family, the DJs' version starts with Lee, 56, accusing Chew of betraying Love 972 by working for another Mediacorp radio station, Yes 933. Chin, 70, comes in and breaks up the fight. Chew, 51, who has a small role in Emerald Hill as a street storyteller, hosts programmes on both stations. In the finale episode, Lee and Chew continue to fight, this time over the affections of Zuye, a character played by Zhang Zetong who is the love interest of Anna and Xinniang. At one point, Lee calls Chew 'Ne Zha', referring to the Chinese mythological figure from hit animated film Ne Zha 2 (2025). The double bun hairstyle Chew sports resembles Ne Zha's. Anna sports a similar hairstyle in Emerald Hill. Chin enters to break up the fight once more and settles their marriage plans. He betroths Chew to Capital 958 radio personality Pan Jiabiao, and tells Lee he has been promised to Capital 958 DJ Qiu Shengyang, which causes Chew and Lee to break character and burst into laughter. The parody has been warmly embraced, with Emerald Hill cast members Low, Jesseca Liu, Dawn Yeoh and Chen Liping reacting with laughing emoji. Emerald Hill has stayed in the top 10 most-watched series on Netflix Singapore since it premiered on the streaming platform on March 10. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Armenian Street Party from 14 to 16 Mar with Peranakan art, food & more
In case you missed the news, Emerald Hill, the sequel to The Little Nyonya, has clinched the pole position on Netflix locally. If you enjoyed the series and have nothing to do this weekend, participate in the Armenian Street Party (14 – 16 Mar). Here, Peranakan culture takes centre stage with art, fashion, performances, culinary delights, and more. Armenian Street Party: Peranakan Stars is planned by the National Heritage Board in partnership with the Peranakan Association Singapore, the Arab Network @ Singapore, the Peranakan Indian Association Singapore and Mediacorp. Admission to most events is free. Check out these highlights. Treat yourself to a makeover and step into the spotlight as a Peranakan star. Explore the Armenian Street Party dressed in Peranakan clothes and capture unforgettable moments. Raymond Wong, a fashion designer who is passionate about kebaya-making and Peranakan beadwork, will be doing your makeover. He has gained a reputation for his craftsmanship. Rent an attire for S$20, get your hair done for S$5 and your makeup for S$20. Attire choices for adults and children include batik shirts, sarong kebaya and accessories. 14 to 16 Mar, 5pm – 10pm Lobby, Level 1 S$5-S$45; Limited slots available Step into the world of Emerald Hill at the Peranakan Museum. Meet the stars of the new drama, enjoy engaging activities and take photos to commemorate your experience. Catch the following special cast appearances on stage daily at 7.30pm. Sat, 15 Mar: Chantalle Ng, Jesseca Liu, Tyler Ten, Dawn Yeoh, Zhu Ze Liang Sun, 16 Mar: Romeo Tan, Zhu Ze Liang, Sheila Sim, Jernelle Oh, Gini Chang 14 to 16 Mar, 5pm – 10pm Ixora Room Free admission In a live cooking demonstration, Peranakan chef Phillip Chia transforms ingredients into 2 beloved dishes, nyonya chap chye and satay ayam goreng. Learn a lesson or two from him. 16 Mar, 5.30–6.30pm Armenian Street Free with limited seating Pangi Nut: Peranakan-inspired Western dishes by ex-chef with buah keluak chicken chop & rendang pasta The post Armenian Street Party from 14 to 16 Mar with Peranakan art, food & more appeared first on
