Veteran local actors Chen Shucheng, Lin Ruping and Hugo Ng have accompanied audiences throughout the decades, from variety show hosts to acting as the main leads and then as parents and grandparents.

As Star Awards' 30th anniversary event approaches, AsiaOne spoke to them about their nominations in this year's ceremony and having a new generation of actors in local showbiz.

Chen Shucheng happier to see young actors getting recognition

While Shucheng is delighted about his Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance in crime drama Unforgivable (2024) this year, he is happier to see younger actors being nominated in Star Awards.

The 75-year-old, who debuted in local showbiz in 1971 and is the oldest nominee this year, told AsiaOne recently: "I personally feel that at my age, I am already a veteran actor in this industry. I believe that for veteran actors like us, who have honed our acting skills over the years... if we are able to get a good role, as long as we perform well, the probability of winning is high.

"But at my age, in my perspective, when I see many of my young actor colleagues [attending and being nominated] in Star Awards' 30th anniversary event, I feel that there is succession in local showbiz and that there are results after Mediacorp's nurturing over the years. I am actually happier to see that."

He added he was glad to see many young actors performing well in leading roles.

[[nid:715076]]

When asked about his chances of clinching Best Supporting Actor, Shucheng said: "I think the chances are not high because the other four nominees are leading actors. But at the same time, I shouldn't underestimate myself, because since the judges nominated me, it's also a form of recognition."

The other nominees for the category are Chen Hanwei (Unforgivable), Guo Liang (To Be Loved), Pierre Png (Moments) and Xu Bin (Kill Sera Sera).

Shucheng, who is also nominated for Top 10 Most Popular Male Artiste, shared his perspective on staying humble in the industry.

He said: "I feel that especially for young actors, they should focus more on performing well. To be honest, there are many times, besides their own hard work, when it is also about receiving a good role. If they are able to achieve that and act well at the same time, then they would be able to stand out and it's a form of recognition.

"They may not be able to receive a good role every time, so they should treasure it (when they do). As young actors, they should also continue to hone their acting skills humbly because the road is still long for them and it's not going to be continuously smooth. They should continue to be down-to-earth and strive to perform their roles well. That's most important."

Lin Ruping wants to continue acting and hosting regardless of awards

Ruping, who is nominated for Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste in this year's awards, shared that she is happy to be nominated, but treats it with a sense of normalcy.

The 74-year-old debuted in local showbiz in 1983 and is the oldest female nominee this year.

"Being nominated is already a form of recognition, that Mediacorp saw my hard work and gave me this opportunity. But of course, there are many nominees —even more than last year — so I don't have high hopes of winning and such things cannot be guaranteed," she said.

Ruping was first nominated in the category in 2024, but didn't win. When asked how she felt then, she shared: "I didn't feel anything, I treated it with a sense of normalcy and it's okay if I didn't win. It's always like this: The more expectations you have, the more disappointed you will be in the end, so I just keep a normal mindset.

While she acknowledged that receiving an award does open up more opportunities for an actor, she is thankful to be sought by directors — some of whom she had known for decades — who found her suitable for their roles.

"I am grateful that after so many years, since the 1980s, Mediacorp still gives me one or two acting roles every year," she said.

When asked what hopes she has for her acting career in the future, Ruping shared: "I think at my age, I want to be at peace with whatever happens. If there are opportunities for me, I will do it. If my health allows me to be active and I have time, I will continue to be active in showbiz, because if I am not working and just sit around all day, I will get dementia quickly. Health is most important, if you don't have that, you can't do anything."

Hugo Ng leaves winning to fate

Hugo, who made his return to local television in 2023 after close to three decades abroad, shared that he is thankful to be nominated for Top 10 Most Popular Male Artiste.

The 65-year-old, who debuted in local showbiz in 1982 before furthering his acting career with Hong Kong broadcaster TVB in 1987, told AsiaOne: "I started my acting career in the 1985 Singapore drama Ren Zai Lu Tu (translated as People on a Journey) and in my twilight years returned to act in an important role in All That Glitters (2023).

"I even received a nomination for a popularity award; it's more than I can ask for and very fulfilling for me.... To me, not fighting for something is perhaps a good thing."

We asked whether he views nominations and awards as a form of recognition at this point, and he said: "In every job, to every actor, they would be encouraged and happy when they received praise from everyone.

"But as to whether I hope to receive the award, I leave it to fate and I prefer to be free and easy and not fight over it. As long as I do my job well, that's enough."

Hugo also shared the importance of young actors showing sincerity in their craft.

He explained: "After many years as an actor, my conclusion is that if you want people to approach you [for roles], there is only one way and that is to do your best to play your role well, let them see your sincerity and they would naturally approach you.

"This is so that you are able to convince the directors and screenwriters to work with you again."

Voting for Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male and Female Artistes is now available to 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:719047]]

yeo.shuhui@asiaone.com

No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.