Huang Biren Wants To Be A Full-Time Mediacorp Artiste Again So She Can Get A Parking Lot On Campus

“I kept up with local dramas even when I was on hiatus," said Biren. "My children slept early, so I’d always watch dramas after their bedtimes. I was especially interested in the 9pm slot, and I would think about why [the actors] delivered their scenes in the way that they did after watching the episode.”

When she finally returned to acting with 2014's Three Wishes, she revealed that she was worried as a lot had changed since her last project.

“I didn’t know any of the new faces," admitted Biren. "The only person I knew was Thomas Ong, but even for him, it had been ages since we last crossed paths (..) I think the crew was worried that [my acting skills were] rusty."

"Thankfully, I managed to get into the flow on the first day," said the three-time Star Awards Best Actress winner.

She explained, “When I came back, [Mediacorp] did ask me if I was interested in signing a full-time contract, but I had complete freedom for six years, so I felt that I wouldn’t be used to being restricted again. Now I know that there were pros and cons to the decision I made. The good thing is that I was free to do what I wanted to, and could choose my projects."

“On the flip side, I had gone four years without filming a single drama [after returning to acting], and I totally understand why,” Biren continued. “If I were part of Mediacorp’s management, I would first give opportunities to our full-time artistes [too]. From my point of view, it was pretty clear that there was a price to pay for my freedom. There were also people who thought I didn’t act in a drama for those years 'cos I was being picky with my projects, but that wasn't true.”

She then sighed and said: “Because I’m not a full-time artiste, I have to park at the next building and walk over to Mediacorp when I shoot scenes in the studio. There’s no shelter [from the parking lot], and there have been times when I had to walk over in the rain. I look pretty pathetic carrying my stuff and getting drenched.”

What Biren said led Yifeng to ask if she was interested in signing a full-time contract with the company again. Without missing a beat, Biren said: “Did the bosses send you to negotiate this with me?” To which Yifeng replied saying it was just a hypothetical question.

Biren then asked for a close-up before quipping: “Please make sure that the bosses see this. In conclusion, I’ve finally realised that there is a clear difference between being a full-time artiste and a project-based one. Getting drenched in the rain is big factor."

You can watch Part 2 of Biren's interview on Hear U Out here. Click here to watch Part 1.

Photos: Mediacorp, Huang Biren's Instagram