Han, solo
MediaCorp TV Channel 8 leading man Chen Hanwei says that he might only find true
love in the 'next life'
by Genevieve Loh
05:55 AM Nov 02, 2009
WHEN we were presented with the opportunity to interview veteran television
actor Chen Hanwei (right), whose new serial Daddy At Home premieres on MediaCorp
TV Channel 8 tonight, my editor thought it the most ingenious idea in the world
to assign this reporter the story.
You see, he's under the wildly spurious impression that pre-teen me had a
massive schoolgirl-crush on the three-time Star Award Best Actor.
Just because I once commented in passing just how adorable Hanwei looked with
the trendy '90s "curtain" hairstyle and beige shirt-over-tee combo as the
charismatic teacher in The Morning Express.
You know, the one where he flirted with Fann Wong and carried Ann Kwok on his
back to fly a kite? Anyway, that doesn't mean I had his picture tacked on my
corkboard above my desk, okay?
(It's appalling how much editors can get away with these days - unsubstantiated,
uncorroborated and unproven information notwithstanding.)
But nevertheless, this reporter soldiered on in the name of intrepid journalism
and prepared an array of hard-hitting questions designed to delve deep into the
psyche of a crush … I mean … interviewee with a career that spans 21 years of
extreme makeovers and versatile roles.
After three clashes of schedules, four missed calls, two hang-ups and one wrong
phone number, I finally got to talk to the 40-year-old MediaCorp artiste. And
only just minutes before he was expected to be present on the set of his new
drama The Best Thing In Life.
Now, does that sound like fate to you, Mr Editor?
You're known for your willingness to transform yourself physically for a role.
What did you do for Daddy At Home?
It's a very interesting role. Right from the beginning, I was thinking: 'Not a
housewife but a house-husband. Not Chen Hanwei, but an uncle with permed hair
and a potbelly ... Hmm.'
I was the one who conceptualised and came up with the image. I wanted to create
a look that was a lot funnier, therefore the really "uncle" perm and the tummy.
I went to Passion and told David Gan to give me an "uncle" hairstyle. And David
Gan told me: 'I don't know how to do ugly hair, lah!' (Laughs)
As for the tummy, I actually thought about putting on weight. But because it was
less than a month to the start of filming, it was impossible. But still during
filming, I loaded up with a lot with carbo and I think my face definitely got a
bit more "bak bak" (Hokkien for "chubby").
Sounds like a lot of dedication. Is there anything that you won't do?
I pretty much will do almost anything … I even don't mind if the role requires
me to "drag". Anything … except go naked!
Even if one of your favourite directors Lee Ang asked you to do go nude for a
big-budget Hollywood film?
Hmm. No ... I don't think I could! Maybe upper body, or even the backside … But
I don't think I could do full frontal. I can't imagine that at all. All my
family and friends can see everything! So paiseh! (Laughs)
Fair enough. So as a swinging single man, where do you get your inspiration to
play a house-husband?
Well, some of it came from my own father. He does quite a lot around the house.
In fact, he's the one who goes marketing, brings my nephews to school and back,
cook and do housework.
I also look at my colleagues, like Zheng Geping. When (Hong) Huifang is filming,
he's the house-husband!
He's the one who goes to the market to buy vegetables, showers the children, et
cetera. It's a very natural thing for him and my father.
If you weren't an actor, what would you be? Fireman? Astronaut? Professional
"uncle/auntie" consultant?
I think I would be a piano teacher! Even though I actually cannot play very
well.
When I was young, I always wanted to learn the piano but my family couldn't
afford it. So now I am learning. I even have a piano at home! I think my best
pieces are Prelude No 1 (by Bach) and, ah, that famous one ...? (Hums a tune)
Fur Elise by Beethoven?
Yes, that's the one. I cannot read notes so I play by ear. My piano teacher will
play it for me, then I listen and slowly learn to play it back!
But you know, I think I am too old to teach. By the time I finish learning the
piano to be good enough to teach, I might be 60 years old! (Laughs). That's why
another job for me would be interior design or image styling. I think I am too
greedy. I would like to make the world and the people in it more beautiful. Like
playing the piano -- it's making beautiful music.
What's the best thing and worst thing about being Chen Hanwei right now?
I think the best thing is that I still have a mind that is creative, alive and
very imaginative. But at the same time, it's also the worst thing because I end
up thinking too much about things and become very mao dun (conflicted).
So after getting a taste of house-husband life with this role, any plans to
settle down?
(Laughs) I think maybe only in my next life! You see, I believe in true love but
not in faithful love. Sometimes I look around my family, relatives and my good
friends -- there are constantly so many problems.
Because there are a lot of temptations out there. It's not easy, you know? And I
am still very bao shou (conservative). I just won't settle down if it's not true
love. (Sighs) Maybe next life, lah!
http://www.todayonline.com/Plus/Television/EDC091102-0000014/?Han%2c-solo-
There's also interview in 8 Days where he said he will not get Best Actor Award
2011. Wonder why
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