Taiwanese Comedian Ru Hua, Famous For Playing "Ugly" Characters In The ‘00s, Seen Selling Betel Nuts At Roadside Store

Taiwanese comedian Lin Yahui, 41, was one of the biggest names in Taiwanese entertainment circles in the ‘00s, after she rose to fame playing a series of “ugly” characters on variety shows, and taking part in skits that required her to look as unglamorous as possible. 

She went by the stage name Ru Hua, as a nod to the bearded lady character that often appeared in Hong Kong director Stephen Chow’s movies.

However, she retired from showbiz in 2007, just four years after making it big. Recently, it was reported that she works as a betel nut seller at a roadside store. A media outlet managed to track down Ru Hua for an interview, where she shared more about her current situation, as well as why she quit acting in 2007.

These days, she works as a host at temple-related events and festivals. She added that she was merely helping out at a friend’s betel nut stall as a favour, and that she does not work there.

Ru Hua then shared more about her showbiz days, revealing that she didn’t have an easy time as a comedian. She made her first appearance on the variety show, Zong Yi Zui Ai Xian in 2003, where she became a hot topic almost instantly, due to her willingness to go all out portraying unattractive characters.

She soon started getting invitations to do the same on other shows. Taiwanese host Jacky Wu, who helmed Zong Yi Zui Ai Xian, revealed that Ru Hua initially got about NT$500 to NT$800 (around S$22 to S$35) per episode. After she became a hit, she could draw about NT$40,000 (S$1760) for a day’s work.

However, Ru Hua was not getting her full pay. She revealed that her agent was unscrupulous, telling her that she only got NT$20,000 (S$880). Of course, the other half went into the agent’s pocket. He also took a cut out of the remaining S$880 Ru Hua received.

Ru Hua went on to share that she took pride in her work, and was glad to know that her shows were so popular that their ratings overtook those featuring established comedians Zhang Fei and Hu Gua.

Unfortunately, she soon fell on hard times, due to a combination of factors, including a change in programmes and salary disputes. As a result, she ended up having to work at a bakery to make ends meet. She shared that she had no work and was in such dire straits, she resorted to living in her agent’s office. 

Eventually, the paparazzi caught wind of this, and published photographs of her at the bakery. Her agent immediately raised hell upon seeing the pictures, and threatened Ru Hua to get her to resign immediately, or cough up a penalty that amounted to NT$3 mil (S$13,000).

For Ru Hua, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and so she decided to quit showbiz.

Photos: Lin Yahui/Facebook, TTV Official Channel/YouTube, Apple Daily