Yao Yao reprises lead role in ‘The Teenage Psychic’ sequel

Taiwanese actress Yao Yao (Kuo Shu Yao) will reprise her role as the lead character, Xie Ya Zhen, in the second season of the hit Taiwanese supernatural drama The Teenage Psychic, HBO Asia’s first Mandarin-language original series.

In a press conference to celebrate HBO’s 25th anniversary yesterday, the organisers revealed that plans for the second series were already confirmed, with filming set to begin in July next year and the show to be aired at the end of the year.

The show, which bagged two wins at the 52nd Golden Bell Awards in Taiwan this year, will be directed by Chen He Yu again, who said that there was a high possibility of original cast members from the first season making their return - such as Akio Chen and Alina Zheng.

He then added that the script was already finalised but would not elaborate further at the moment, expressing that even Yao Yao had not seen the script.

The actress then replied that the secrecy was what worried her the most as she was afraid there would be new challenges to overcome.

Said Yao Yao, “I do not know anything and am currently unsure of how to prepare for the part as I do not even know Ya Zhen’s new age in the next series,” to which He Yu joked that she could “mentally prepare for it.”

As Yao Yao plays a student who was born with psychic abilities that helps believers at the temple, she had to go through intense training for the role, such as taking lessons at the temple to learn about a medium’s everyday job.

The 27-year-old actress also added that she was afraid of fire and ghosts and was very thankful that she did not encounter any supernatural experiences during the filming.

Even though one of the scenes took place in a rumoured haunted house during the Hungry Ghost Festival, the cast remained very professional and tried their best to be respectful.

Yao Yao made her debut in the entertainment industry as a model in 2008 and worked her way to stardom by being the host in a couple of variety shows.

She decided to audition for the role of Ya Zhen after watching He Yu’s 2013 short film The Busy Young Psychic.

“I liked that series a lot so I really wanted to work with him. I only realised I got the lead role after getting the part and I am very honored to be part of this team,” she shared.

The Teenage Psychic has been very successful, winning several awards at the 52nd Golden Bell Awards, including ‘Best Miniseries’ and cast member Nana Lee clinching the award for ‘Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film’. The coming-of-age series received a total of six nominations at this year’s Golden Bell Awards.

Photos: Toggle

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