Tay Ping Hui Is Now A Freelancer, Hints At Working In Hollywood In The Future

Former Mediacorp actor Tay Ping Hui, 53, announced in an Instagram Reel yesterday (Mar 12) that for the first time in 25 years, he will be going solo as a freelancer. 

“It has been a great time with GHY for the past five years,” he wrote.

After leaving Mediacorp in 2018 after 19 years, he signed a five-year contract with Chinese-based media company Perfect World Pictures, which later became known as GHY Culture & Media.

“But now it is time to move on and do the things I want to do, pick projects that I am passionate about, and work with people that I want to work with,” he added.

With GHY Culture & Media, Pinghui appeared in several Chinese productions such as Heroes and Legend of the Condor Heroes.

In the Reel, he recalled that it was not an easy decision.

"I was at the top of my game, having established myself in multiple disciplines. Things were going great," he said.

“From the safe waters of Singapore, I jumped into the big ocean of China, where the shark swam and the weak and feeble were devoured,” he said.

In his post, he wrote: “Freedom can be intimidating, but it is extremely liberating… Who knows? Maybe I shall head to the west in search of new challenges.”

Wait… Is the actor following in the footsteps of Tan Kheng Hua and Lim Kay Siu and taking a stab at Hollywood?

In a phone interview with zaobao.sg, he revealed he had auditioned for a role in Netflix’s The Brothers Sun though he wasn’t picked.

“I like to challenge myself. If I have the opportunity, I want to experience, learn, and understand how filming is done in Western countries,” he said. 

Pinghui also shared that he feels the time has come for him “to come out on my own.”

“For example, when I was in Mediacorp, I also thought it would be great if I could go abroad to shoot some TV dramas and experience different production methods,” he added.

“Looking back, I have really been around a lot. Filming in places such as Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia... When you go to different places, you will see different working methods of different crew,” he said.

The actor says he does not rule out working with GHY Culture & Media or film in China again in the future.

“It shouldn’t be said that because I am no longer an artiste with GHY, there will be no chance to collaborate in the future.”

In fact, Pinghui is confirmed to be in upcoming iQiyi drama Legends of Nanyang.

When asked if he would ever consider returning to Mediacorp, Pinghui said he enjoys being a freelancer but “if there is a suitable role with an interesting plot, why not?”

For now, Pinghui is excited about directing an upcoming movie about dementia and is currently finishing up the script.

“The topic is very close to me, and I feel that this is a subject that Singapore must gradually face,” he said.

The movie will start filming this year and will be distributed by Clover Films.

Back in 2014, Pinghui directed Meeting the Giant, a coming-of-age sports film that starred Ian Fang, Zhu Houren, and Bernard Tan.

Photos & Video: Zaobao, taypinghui/Instagram

Catch Tay Ping Hui in Tituodao: Dawn Of A New Stage on mewatch or catch an episode below