5 Men Say 'I do'

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A boyband of 5 guys is creating waves all around as Xie Shaoguang, Tay Ping Hui, Dasmond Koh, Huang Bingjie and Li Wenhai sign on with MediaCorp. We're sure their staying power will be much longer than any Nick, Shayne or Ronan. So, let's hear it for the boys!

[Eastciti.com, October 25]

The Extended Kids On MediaCorp, TCS' latest boyband of 5 charming guys have pledged themselves to more on-screen action in yesterday's contract signing at Regent Hotel. We witness the signing-on of contract staff and veteran actor, Li Wenhai and popular RCS deejay Dasmond Koh who is presently treading the path of TV as well as the extension of contracts for 3 full-time actors, namely, Xie Shaoguang, Tay Ping Hui and Huang Bingjie. Think they have what it takes to shine even more brightly than they already are? Read on…

The Talent
Who's he? Xie Shaoguang, 39
Lease time: 5 years
Kicking-butt at… Mainly drama serials. "Most artistes are very keen to leap on to the big screen. But I've got very high expectation of movies. Unless I've got full confidence in the movie production and its market appeal, I'll concentrate in my area of specialty (TV production)."
Why's he hanging out with MediaCorp? "It has groomed me for the last 10 years - from an artiste with no dialogues to the achievements I have today. I'm very grateful to the company.

"This is especially so when I slipped into a state of physical burnout and mental depression last year. The management has been really very understanding and gave me the support I need. It approved me to withdraw from a solemn role (which was later replaced by Tay Ping Hui) in My Home Affairs and granted me a long break that I need badly. When I returned, it gave me a lively role in The Tax File - one that the public misunderstood the company for giving me an ornament-ory role. But I'm really appreciative of its thoughts from the bottom of my heart.

"Besides, I'm so familiar with the work environment and crew. Why look elsewhere?"

An extra bit on The Talent: "Crossing over to TCS 5? With my poor English? (chuckles) I'll need to brush up the language before I dream about it. I think I'll consider it seriously only if the management thinks that I suit the role better than the existing pool of English artistes. "

The Hunk
Who's he? Tay Ping Hui, 29
Lease time: 3 years
Kicking-butt at… every possible avenue. "I have an interest in singing and in doing films but of course, I'll still be doing TV, but as to what kind of roles I'll be portraying depends on the scripts and how I'll be able to reach new heights as an actor." Ping Hui will even be involved in a play, Butterflies Are Free early next year, and singing a bit in it, too, so don't go saying he's no thespian!
Why's he hanging out with MediaCorp? "I like to remember my roots, where I started out from and the company has been giving me challenges along the way," says Ping Hui, who will be shooting for a new war serial, War Diary , with fellow hunk Jimmy T in December.
On the Star Awards… "I'm very lucky to be given the right opportunities and to be at the right place at the right times and I really don't think I've risen that rapidly in the industry. My chances on getting the award is close to 0 because the others are so much more experienced but I think it's cool enough that I get to sit in the front row and get an unobstructed view."
An extra bit on The Hunk: "I would love to play Edward Norton's role in American History X and shave my head, keep a goatee and get a tattoo because it's such a powerful movie. I'm attracted to the dark side of human nature and another ideal movie role would be Daniel Day Lewis's character in My Left Foot."

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