Xie Shaoguang, 62, Makes Showbiz Comeback After 19 Years, Believes Actors Now Have To Be Influencers Too

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We bet you didn't wake up today thinking one of Singapore's most-missed actors would be announcing his showbiz comeback. 

But here we are. 

It's not like there weren't signs though.

In June, Xie Shaoguang, 62, surprised everyone when he created a public Instagram account. Since retiring from showbiz in 2005, Shaoguang had always been steadfast in maintaining his privacy. 

His first post featured snaps from his catch-up with Ivy Low, his ex-manager-turned-head of Mediacorp’s talent management arm, The Celebrity Agency (TCA).

Their meeting led to speculation that the five-time Star Awards Best Actor was finally making a comeback. 

When asked by 8days.sg about Shaoguang returning to our screens, Ivy answered with a vague “it’s too early for further comments” and “let’s see what happens”.

Turns out we were right. 

It was announced today (Sep 5) that Shaoguang is returning to showbiz and will be managed by TCA for future projects.

The former Ah Ge lived in Malaysia for years following his departure from Mediacorp. There, he manned an animal shelter and was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2013 before returning to secular life two-and-a-half-years later.

He also had a stint as a head chef of a vegetarian restaurant. 

8days.sg had the opportunity to chat with Shaoguang before he announced his big comeback.

Despite having not acted for close to two decades, it was clear as day that Shaoguang never lost his passion for his craft.

While he has a calm, mellow demeanour and a composed manner of speech, there was also unmissable uptick in his tone, not to mention a sparkle in his eyes, whenever Shaoguang spoke about performing. 

This writer was in primary school when Shaoguang upped and left showbiz, and would admit to being slightly nervous at the prospect of speaking to someone who has left such an indelible mark on local pop culture.

Who can forget his iconic performances as the cheeky Chinese deity Jigong in The Legends of Jigong (1997), a paralysed doctor in Stand By Me (1998), a wastrel in Stepping Out, or an effeminate man in Holland V (2003)?

He was, of course, chill and exuded a kind of zen-ness that put everyone in the room at ease. That we expected after devouring past articles written about him. 

But he was also surprisingly chatty, and charming, and you don't get a whiff of ego from him.

He's also surprisingly up-to-date with online trends. 

When we asked why he didn't make a return earlier, despite being aware of how many people want him on screen again, he simply said “the time wasn’t right”. 

Well, sorry guys, you still have to wait some time before seeing Shaoguang in a drama again.

As of press time, he has yet to accept any upcoming projects. But one thing is for sure though: Xie Shaoguang is back.

8DAYS.SG: For many years, you were adamant about not making a comeback and declined to even be on screen. So what made you change your mind? 

XIE SHAOGUANG: I was no longer in showbiz the moment I left. I didn't want to hog the limelight. In my personal life, I had a different area of focus, and I didn't wish to do both things at once. If I remained in the public eye, it may have instead affected my progress in other jobs, so I reduced all the [distractions] as much as I could. As long as it’s not work-related, I don’t want to be in the limelight all the time. 

You've remained fiercely private in the years you weren't in showbiz. Now, you'll be in the spotlight again. Have you done anything to psych yourself up or prepare to be in the public eye again?

Not really lah (chuckles). It all depends. Once it’s work related, it is normal for me to be noticed. So when people come up to me and say hello, I just take it with good will. I've always found my fans to be very respectful [of my personal space] as well. I’m very lucky to get all the support, and I don’t have to do anything. As long as it’s work, like this interview I’m doing right now, I know I’m going to be in the limelight because I’m coming back. This is part of the job, and there's no stress. 

I consider myself very lucky. In my years of acting, I was fortunate to have very good roles that were recognised by the audience. Even professionally, I've gotten a stamp of approval, and I thank my lucky stars for every role. I've earned role after role, and for me, those roles are very diverse, so I think the audience don’t simply see me as 'Xie Shaoguang'. It was Xie Shaoguang’s roles that attracted them, so they want me to come back to act, I guess? It’s not so much about me, it’s about the roles that I play. 

A lot has changed in show business. Viewing habits have changed and the definition of a star has evolved. Do you think the industry still needs a Xie Shaoguang? 

I'll just be myself. Just like a puzzle. If there’s space for me then I’ll try to fit in nicely. I won’t try to overstretch myself.

I know what is the nature of the industry now, [with the inclusion of] social media and all. It’s fine for me. I enjoy scrolling and watching all the youngsters. I find them creative, and I get all the joy of watching them. But if you want me to do that, I think it’s a bit of a stretch (laughs).

Of course I will try, but I won’t focus on that because my forte is still acting. I just want to act and I hope people will pay more attention to that. Viewing habits have changed, people fast forward [shows] and their attention span is short. They just want stimulation. Even dramas are made differently, [they try to] stimulate you with violence and all that.

But I always believe in the human nature aspect of things. When there’s warmth, they can read into all these minute expressions that warms the heart and touches the soul. I will be that part. I think there’s also a calling for that. Like the film How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. Films like these still warm the hearts of people. I'll try to be that. When it comes to my future roles, I'll try to bring out all these issues and messages that need to be heard. I think I’ll be fine.

You’re returning to showbiz at the age of 62. Are you worried about getting to play only grandfathers?

Oh, no, no, no. I chose to come back at this age. Physically, for an actor, we have the ability to play a character whose age is plus minus 10 years. If you add make-up and effects, I might be able to [play a 50-year-old]. I’m glad to come back now, as a senior, because I can’t act in the roles that I used to anymore. I want to leave my past behind.

I’m glad my previous roles have offered comfort and joy to my audience, but now I'm just looking forward. I don't worry about typecasting. I just play my part and play my age. I won’t want to be 40 years old all the time. That’s not realistic.

People who grew up watching you on TV are now middle aged or older. Do you think Gen Zs know who you are?

I thought some Gen Zs won't know of me. But I was surprised because I've gotten feedback like, "Oh, I watched you when I was three". I think my audience spans about three generations, and that's quite unbelievable. I was quite overwhelmed.

If you had to recommend one of your past dramas to a younger person, so they can get to know you, which show would you pick? 

I would never do that because I always believe the viewer has the power and the choice. I've played roles that are so diverse and of different genres, so it all depends on the viewer. What makes the audience connect with you is very special.

Chen Hanwei became Mediacorp's most critically lauded actor after you left when he broke your record of five Best Actor Star Awards in 2019. Are you planning to take your record back?

No, that's mean. I guess people like to have all these assumptions, that there’s competition. If that’s the case, it means I hogged the limelight. No lah, I don’t want to be so arrogant. If someone's performance is recognised by the audience and professionals, that’s good and there’s no comparison. When you’re nominated for Best Actor, you [technically] can’t compare who is better because we don’t have the same roles. How do you compare? Sometimes it’s down to luck, or down to the role or the storyline and plot. There are too many factors to consider.

To me, there’s no record. It’s the process of finishing the job. I always believe the role has a life of its own, it’s not so much of what I expect. Do I say, “Oh I was very good in this, you have to award me or look at me”? No lah. If I’m so egoistic I don’t think I’ll be able to act (laughs). Then I’ll be just Xie Shaoguang, and who wants to look at Xie Shaoguang?

Did any of your showbiz pals play a part in convincing you to return? 

No. If we’re talking about people I’ve acted with, we still get along well, it’s just that we're in different circles now. When we meet, we will say hello and have a cup of tea, and it feels like I’ve never left and nothing much has changed.

My ex-manager was telling me about a young actor, and asked if I could try acting [training] with them. In that process, I realised they’re quite good, and I was trying to see if I can inspire them in other ways. As for myself, once I started to act, the passion and enthusiasm returned. 

So my ex-manager asked me: “Since you’re so passionate about it why don’t you come back?”

I told her: “I’m always open. I never said I wouldn't act again.”

She then suggested that I announce my return and be represented by the company so people know where to reach me. I decided okay and if there are roles for me, we can discuss about future work. 

Who is the younger actor you were working with?

The one I mentioned is Richie [Koh]. To me, when he’s in a role, he doesn’t make me feel like he’s acting. I think he’s very natural.

You recently started an IG account, but your last post was in June. Do you think it is necessary for actors to be active on social media?

I think it’s necessary because that's the trend now. Acting is not just acting, you have to be an influencer in a way. I’m still very new. As you know I’m a very private person, and although I scroll and like to keep up with gossip a bit, what can I post? [The things I post might be] a little boring, and if it's work related or a certain message, of course I will try. I want it to be fun because I think I’m quite a fun person. I enjoy seeing Gen Zs dance around but it’s not about making a fool of myself. Do I have the time and energy to do all that?

I still try my best to stay in touch. Even with the Generation Alpha (laughs). This is the trend and everything is so fun and rosy, and that’s a good thing. But with that, I also find the cyber space quite sad, with image shaming, bullying and all that. It’s quite real, you can have fun, but not be so oversensitive in a way that once you’re bruised you [can't get back up].

Photos: Pyron Tan, Mediacorp

Take a trip down memory lane and watch Shaoguang in Holland V on mewatch, or catch an episode below.