Tay Ping Hui auditioned for Netflix's The Brothers Sun but didn't get it, remains open to acting in a Mediacorp show if plot and role are interesting
The Singapore actor also said he is looking forward to opportunities to act in western movies and shows.
Netflix’s short-lived drama The Brothers Sun could have featured a familiar face for Singaporeans, aside from Michelle Yeoh.
Speaking to Lianhe Zaobao, 53-year-old Tay Ping Hui revealed that he auditioned for the Netflix drama but didn’t get the role. However, the Singaporean actor is still looking forward to opportunities to act in western movies and shows.
He said, “I like to challenge myself. If I have the opportunity, I want to experience it, learn it, and understand how filming is done in western countries.”
Tay pointed out that he recently watched the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and there were a lot of Asian American actors in it.
He also observed that there have been more Asian American actors, and Asian content, featured in Hollywood and on other western media platforms.
“I think this is a good development direction for the market,” he noted.
Now a ‘free man’
Tay also chose not to renew his contract with GHY Culture & Media when it expired at the end of February, marking the end of a five-year relationship with them.
He announced his decision on Instagram on Tuesday (12 March), writing, “It has been a great time with GHY for the past 5 years. But now it is time to move on and do the things that I want to do, pick projects that I am passionate about and work with people that I want to work with.
“Freedom can be a little intimidating, but it is extremely liberating. I look forward to an exciting future ahead!”
On making the decision to part ways, Tay told the Chinese daily that he felt “the time has come” as he was described as someone who has never been content with the status quo.
He recalled, “For example, when I was at Mediacorp, I also thought it would be great if I could go abroad to shoot some TV series, and experience different production methods. Looking back, I have really been to a lot of places to film, such as Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia. When you go to different places, you will see the working methods of different crews."
Tay also refuses to be the proverbial frog in the well, and believes that actors and directors should go out and see the world. He admitted that he feels a “sense of danger” by stepping out of his comfort zone, but it’s a good thing.
Though he didn’t renew his contract, it doesn’t mean he won’t be open to opportunities with GHY Culture & Media. He has spoken with Guo Jingu, GHY's executive chairman and group CEO, and if there are suitable roles, they will “still invite me to participate”.
What about something working closer to home, like Mediacorp, which he left in 2018?
He said, “If there is a suitable role (and Mediacorp invites me), and the plot and roles are interesting, why not?”
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