UrbanWire

Who would have known Xie Shaoguang ever wanted was to be a pastry chef and live in a farm? UrbanWire finds out more.

Xie Shaoguang literally limped his way down the hard road of success, to become what he is today - an accomplished actor. Among his challenging roles was an unforgettable turn as a cripple in the Golden Pillow. He waved his magic fan as the legendary Ji Gong before stammering his way through Stand By Me as the physically and mentally disabled doctor.

Just when Shaoguang should have more than proven his mettle, he acted as the infamous Lion King character with an annoying Malaysian accent in The Beautiful Connection. And his recent crowning glory was his sissy and lovelorn Yang Xiong in marathon serial Holland Village that won legions of fans.

Then came the hat trick - Special Achievement Award, Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes and Best Actor at the Star Awards 2003. It really leaves one pondering, "What award will he get next year?" inspired from the question made infamous by homegrown Hollywood star Fann Wong.

Indeed, what's next for this serious character actor, now playing Bai Ze, an introverted schizophrenic cop in The Crime Hunters? Never recognised for his looks, the humble 42-year-old shares, in a mixture of English and Mandarin, his 15 years of acting experiences, and on how he's handling the overwhelming success.

UrbanWire: You acted as Yang Xiong in more than 100 episodes in Holland V. How do you get out of character?

Shaoguang: I have to tell myself that I have to get over the character although everyone keeps reminding me of him. The public keeps asking, 'Yang Xiong, where's your Wan wan?' It's a constant reminder that your character is still with the people. The only thing I can do is to immerse in my new role as much as possible.

UW: Since 1989, you have acted in many roles. Let's talk about the characters you portrayed. Which is your favourite or the one that left the deepest impression?

Shaoguang: I think I'm very fortunate that in every show, my character is always memorable. Like Ji Gong, which is very legendary and the perverted characters, like Sai Wei in the Golden Pillow.

I think it takes time to settle. In fact, a lot of times, the audience reminded me, "You are the one who acted in Golden Pillow…"

I also realised the difference in the age groups too. Children will remind me about Ji Gong and ah bengs [loutish young men] will think of my violent characters. The aunties will think of me as the family man. After a while I feel very blessed that I've a chance to do so many genres and characters.

UW: Having acted for 15 years, is there a role that you've yet to try and in fact, have been waiting for?

Shaoguang: I've always wanted to act in a very feel-good [production]. I believe in the good of human nature. It's the kind of movie that you walk off feeling warm like Billy Elliot and Love Actually. That's the kind of character that I want to act as.

UW: You worked closely with 3 leading actress in your 15 years of acting. They're Chen Liping (Holland Village), Huang Biren (The Beautiful Connection, Stand By Me), and Zoe Tay (Angel of Vengeance and Ride the Waves). Compare your working relationship and chemistry with the 3 of them. Is there a favourite partner?

Shaoguang: Zoe Tay is very streetwise. She's started out as a model and has been in the industry since young. She knows what she wants, where she stands and she knows what she can achieve too. She's very easy to talk to, in that way, we can reach a mutual understanding when we come to work.

Huang Biren is introverted yet intellectual. She's one who thinks a lot.She's not socially active but that can be an advantage. Some people find her a bit icy which makes her very interesting when she portrays roles like [the one in] Stand by Me.

Chen Liping's acting [is] so natural. She plays her role the way she thinks. She's very carefree, bo chap [Hokkien for nonchalant]. If you want to put it this way, she's very impromptu and not crafty. She just chooses to be herself. If you like Chen Liping, you will like her characters. If you like her characters, you will like Chen Liping.

There is no favourite partner. It feels different working with the 3 individuals.

Shaoguang: Karen Mok! Sexy legs! She's someone who doesn't conform. She has a mind of her own. When you're working, you are always challenging yourself, figuring out what you want. I think it will be a real adventure to work with her. [^top]

UW: You actually gave some coaching to a new batch of actors like Felicia Chin and Le Yao () just before the 2003 Star Awards. How do you get along with the younger group?

Shaoguang: It's more of sharing because acting is individual. It's how you look at life and capture human emotions. Your upbringing and personality play a role too. There's no rigid way of acting, it's how detailed you can go into a character. I get along very well with them, I try to get them to pay more attention to people, take note of their behavior and emotions. It's more or less a study of human nature.

Shaoguang: I told them that everyone stands a chance. It's just whether you discover yourself or not. They hold themselves back. Perhaps [they're] a bit too self-conscious [but acting] is all about trying to forget yourself and go[ing] into that character.

UW: Do you see the upcoming actors as a threat? Is there a fear that they will overtake your standing as an Ah Ge [Mandarin for big brother]?

Shaoguang: You need a strong partner to bring out the best performance in you. If they're not there, you are not getting the best out of yourself. It's not a threat actually, in fact I wish that they would come out faster [and] we can actually improve and help each other.

UW: What do you think of the media comparing Qi Yu Wu to you? Do you picture him as the next Sai Wei?

Shaoguang: Not really, it all depends. I think it's more of a character study and how you portray it. In every drama, it's different. The script, background, character and storylines are different. Unless it's the same script and story, it's impossible to judge him like that.

UW: Congrats for receiving the Special Achievement Award? Do you feel that it's a symbol of you moving to the 'uncle' category?

Shaoguang: Thank you! (Smiles humbly) In fact, I've always wanted to act in the 'Uncle' category. I want to explore their emotions. I think it's not portrayed much actually when we go in into the spiritual and emotional side of that age group. The society is aging and we should look into it.
I know that the beautiful and young thing sells. That's popular, but you have to face reality. It's not just a superficial 'uncle' category and there's nothing to be embarrassed about. I think it's more about how you handle [it], what you want to say about mid-life crisis and think more about life in a broader dimension.

Shaoguang: Erm, I try not to see myself as a lao jiang lah. I don't like the word. It's not because of the age. If you think you are a lao jiang, you are actually being crafty and it's the lazy way out. You need to feel very fresh. Whenever I act in a new show, I think of myself as someone very new. I have a lot of insecurities, anticipation and energy bursting to explore the show, no matter how many similarities there are to the previous ones I've acted in. That's what I ask from myself. The audience will then like the show and feel it's something new. It's not the 'I can predict what's going to happen' kind of show. [^top]

UW: Let me quote something from 8 Days where Yang Xiong in Holland Village said this about Shaoguang:

"Aiyoh! Don't ever mention that name to me. He's so… what you call it… I don't understand him at all. He's not prominent and he's not handsome. I don't know what kind of person he is. If he wants to play a crook, he should stick to that. Why does he want to be a crook one day and Prince Charming another? Ask him to quit showbiz!"

Shaoguang: In a way it shows a lot about people picking on Shaoguang. This speaks for the first few years that I've struggled through. But eventually when Yang Xiong makes that statement, he doesn't see it. A lot of people just don't know and think that Shaoguang is an enigma. I hope that Shaoguang is someone interesting because I find myself very boring. The factor that makes me interesting is my job because my characters in the shows became parts of my life. Shaoguang? He's nothing. He is only something when he has a role.

Shaoguang: I think it's positive. It remains there as a comment for you to quit showbiz. If you're not intending to leave, carry on doing it and make your character shine. Just don't think about it. [^top]

Having worked so hard for 15 years in the entertainment circle, the quiet and humble man has considered quitting to live a normal life.

"I admit that I'm always thinking about it (leaving the job). But you just keep questioning yourself, what's next?" said the veteran honestly. And the self-confessed food lover who whips a great dish "wants to be a pastry chef and own a farm in the future".

When our stomachs' gain could be our souls' loss, we selfishly hope Shaoguang will continue to ply his trade for many years to come. [^top]