As a child, I fondly remember rushing back home from school to watch the 7pm or 9pm television shows on Channel 5 and 8. My favourite? Crime dramas such as C.L.I.F. and The Undisclosed, which always left me anticipating next week’s episode.
But as time passed, some of the actors and actresses that I used to recognise slowly faded from the limelight. Perhaps showbiz might not be for everyone, and some actors and actresses left the small screen to venture into other paths.
If you’ve been wondering what they’ve been up to since, we checked up on 10 ex-Mediacorp actors and actresses whom we grew up with and where they are now.
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Xie Shaoguang was one of the OG actors in the Mediacorp scene until his departure in 2005. He’s famously known for his role in The Legends of Jigong, in which he portrayed the main character and even sang the theme song for the show ─ a man with many talents.
Since then, he traveled to Malaysia and became a monk through ordination in 2013. Then, in 2016, he ventured into culinary and became the head chef at a vegetarian restaurant. Xie Shaoguang also established an animal shelter named Animal Paradise in 2014.
Despite his diverse pursuits, the idea of acting hasn’t completely faded for him. He once mentioned that if an intriguing role comes his way, he might consider returning to the acting scene. FYI, he also keeps a super low profile on social media platforms.
Zhang Zhenxuan, previously known as Zhang Zhenhuan, earned a spot among the 8 Dukes of Caldecott Hill due to his charming good looks. You might recall his stellar performances in Against The Tide and The Dream Job.
Presently based in Wenzhou, China, he lives with his wife and two children. Despite not being active in acting presently, he consistently shares endearing pictures with his children on his Instagram page ─ we stan a devoted dad.
From starring as a formidable terrorist in ‘Honour & Passion’ to navigating real-life drama, Ix Chen’s journey has been nothing short of captivating. Having left Mediacorp, he packed his bags and moved to Kyiv, Ukraine, with his better half in 2021.
However, he was caught in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine conflict over the course of 15 months before returning to SG in February 2023. However, during his 15-month stay, he provided help and distributed humanitarian aid ─ major props to him.
He also documented his experience with a memoir that recounts his time amidst the war titled Impression Of An Invasion. For your information, he also served as the executive director for the Chinese film Wolf Warrior 2.
Having graced the screens with remarkable roles in shows such as Metamorphosis and 3 Wishes, Thomas Ong took his final bow in showbiz back in 2020. However, don’t let his retirement fool you – his Instagram feed reads like an epic travel journal.
Moreover, this ex-Mediacorp star is a certified foodie. A few months ago, he showcased his culinary charisma at the SG Food Fest. Word on the street is that his Kurobuta wanton noodles were super delicious ─ having personally tried and tested them, I can totally vouch for that.
Jerry Neo might have been a familiar face on your screens, known for his roles in Baby Bonus and A Tale of 2 Cities. With his compelling and villainous acting, it’s not surprising that he snagged awards such as Most Unforgettable Villain and Best Supporting Actor during the 2010 Star Awards ceremony.
However, in 2014, things took a turn when Jerry left Mediacorp, citing a sense of underappreciation in his craft. Since then, he has soared to greater heights, literally, as a pilot with Scoot.
He also recently made a surprise appearance on fellow actor Darren Lim’s IG page during his flight to Nanjing, China, which was a nostalgic trip for fans and followers.
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Nat Ho was no stranger to the showbiz scene in the early 2000s, thanks to his pivotal role in Channel 5’s Tanglin. After leaving Mediacorp in 2010, he shifted his focus towards his music career, subsequently releasing songs such as “Unleashed” and “Battleship”.
Currently, Nat has traded our sunny lion city for the streets of South Korea, where he’s enrolled in Yonsei University’s Korean language programme, pursuing full-time studies. He chose to relocate to South Korea to dedicate himself to writing music for the K-pop market. Perhaps, in the near future, we’ll be dancing along to chart-topping tunes penned by him.
Carole Lin, known for her standout performance in The Pride Of Peace, left Mediacorp in 2009 so she could move overseas after her second marriage. Now, she is happily married to her third husband and currently working as a creative consultant for her husband’s chiropractic clinic.
According to her IG page, it’s clear that her love for her family and the outdoors has no bounds, as she frequently shares pictures from the beach.
If you were a huge fan of the drama The Little Nyonya, you might find Ng Hui very familiar. Portraying the role of Ah Tao, an exceptionally loyal servant who endured a lot throughout the series, Ng Hui’s acting chops earned her the Best Supporting Actress award back in 2009.
She bid farewell to the Mediacorp stage in 2012 with her final role in Beyond X. Presently, she serves as an educator at a primary school and cited that she has no intentions of making a comeback to acting. Plus, she remains super lowkey online with little social media presence.
Former Mediacorp star Ivy Lee gracefully exited the spotlight in 2007, leaving behind a trail of memorable performances from dramas like The Price Of Peace and The Brotherhood. She relocated to Hong Kong two years later due to her husband’s work commitments. As of now, she and her family have been based in London, UK since 2017.
As the mother of four children and a canine companion, it’s extra heartwarming to see that she regularly updates her IG page with cherished memories spent with friends and family.
If you’ve ever heard the phrase “family comes first,” it was exactly that for Evelyn Tan, who left Mediacorp back in 2005 to focus on her family, which she jokingly describes as her full-time job. BTW, she and her family even lived on a yacht for four years starting in 2013 – talk about the suite life.
Currently, Evelyn is hosting CNA documentaries and recently participated in the Pasar Malam Stars variety show alongside her husband, as they both wanted to promote more local foods and flavors back into the Pasar Malam scene.
These ex-Mediacorp actors and actresses have taken me on a trip down memory lane, as I’m sure they would for you too. Although we don’t see them on our screens as often, they still hold a special place in our hearts as our beloved local talents.
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