Ayden Sng Reunites With Entrepreneur Younger Brother In The US, Opens Up About Career Struggles

Sometimes it takes a reunion with friends and family halfway across the world to truly reflect on where you are in life. 

That's what Mediacorp actor Ayden Sng did when he travelled to San Francisco, a city that holds special meaning for him, in the latest episode of Those Days Those Places.

Although the 32-year-old star never lived there — he graduated from Duke University in North Carolina — he revealed that he frequently had layovers in San Francisco during his schooling days, and it's a place where his brother and many friends now call home.

"So every time I come to the United States, this is a must-visit place. If a parallel world exists where I wasn't an actor, I'd probably be living here too," he added. 

At Fisherman’s Wharf, Ayden met up with his younger brother, Sun Geng, a business owner, and his college best friend, Andy, who works at Sun Geng’s company. Ayden hadn’t seen his brother in over a year, as the latter had been busy with his new company he recently set up.

Although Ayden and Sun Geng have chosen totally different career paths, they share a similar outlook when it comes to their approach to work.

When Ayden asked his brother about the anxiety that comes with building a business from scratch, Sun Geng replied: "I guess [there is anxiety]. Running a business is all about making money after all. You need customers, and you need to provide value." 

The actor related to that in a heartbeat.

"Acting is actually the same thing. For me, starting out as an actor was like starting a business. You're always there chasing money. Chasing money is the same as chasing opportunities," said Ayden. 

Sun Geng explained: "The competition is tough. You often run into things that are beyond your control. You have to take charge and figure out how to make the best decisions."

"I totally relate to that," echoed Ayden. He added that while he had a fairly clear career plan during his university days, reality has been far less certain, as he "doesn't even know what he will be doing next year".

"It's really tough to land a role. You have to fight for every project yourself," he said.

According to Sun Geng, while Ayden always had a natural talent for the arts even as a child, he has always been very practical, making his decision to pursue acting hard to imagine.

"He's the type who thinks carefully before making decisions. So when he said he wanted to be an actor, he must have thought long and hard about it," said Sun Geng. 

Andy then chimed in: "I think your family has very hardworking genes. You're built for the grind."

Ayden agreed that their penchant for hard work comes from their upbringing, as their parents are just as hardworking and driven in their own careers.

He also revealed: "The entertainment industry doesn't really fit my personality or the environment I grew up in. But as long as you're passionate about it, I'd say it's still worth pursuing. After all, acting is something that truly makes me happy."

During the same trip, Ayden also returned to his alma mater, Duke University, revisiting meaningful milestones along the way.

He climbed Duke Chapel for the first time, stopped by Brody Theater where he performed in his first ticketed stage play, and reconnected with a former professor for the first time in seven years, who had helped him start an Asian Music Ensemble interest group.

All that to say that Ayden has grown in many ways over the years, yet his love for the arts and performing has stayed with him throughout.

Photos: Mediacorp, aydenzs/ Instagram

Catch Ayden in the full episode of Those Days Those Places below.