Misplaced Pages

Zen Chong (born Chong Cheng Xiong; 15 August 1978), formerly known as Zzen Chong, is a Malaysian actor and property agent who is based in Singapore.

Early life

A native of the "New Villages" in Kuala Lumpur, Chong studied graphic design and worked at an advertising agency prior to joining Star Search Malaysia.

Career

Chong joined MediaCorp in 2001 after finishing third in that year's Malaysian edition of Star Search Singapore. One of his first major roles was in the 2003 sitcom Lobang King where he was cast alongside veteran artistes Chew Chor Meng, Huang Wenyong and Irene Ang as the smooth-talking employee of Huang's character.

Chong is known for portraying juvenile "ah beng" characters, antiheroes and villains. He shot to fame for his role as the main antagonist in the hit period drama The Little Nyonya. Although initially a replacement for Andrew Seow, he was praised for his convincing portrayal of antagonist Robert Zhang and won a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2009 Star Awards, his first ever awards nomination. He was given his first lead role in the 2008 co-production The Thin Line.

Personal life

He married his long-time girlfriend Geline See in January 2011. Chong and his wife have a daughter and a son.

In 2012, it was revealed during the release of The Quarters that Chong changed a character in his Chinese name after consulting with a fortune teller. His English name was changed as well, from Zzen Chong to Zen Chong. He has also converted to part-time acting and since become a full-time property agent.

Filmography

Television series

Variety shows

Awards and nominations

References

1. "艺人改名就改运？信不信由你！_wkh73_新浪博客". blog.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
2. 不回家铁链绑上车 章缜翔越鞭越皮 (in Chinese). Nanyang Siang Pau. 29 November 2011. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
3. "Talented wannabes". New Straits Times. 8 June 2001.
4. "Zzen and the Art of Acting". Channel News Asia. 8 February 2010. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013.
5. "Andrew Seow helps HIV-positive friend". AsiaOne. 17 July 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
6. "Zzen Zhang's 'messy' wedding". Channel News Asia. 19 January 2011.
7. "'He scolded me and beat me quite often': Zen Chong lacked father's love in childhood, now tries to be different for own kids". AsiaOne. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
8. ^ "梁丽芳章缜翔"隐姓埋名"改运途" (in Chinese). Lianhe Zaobao. 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012.
9. ^ "Zen Chong Says People Still Call Him The Little Nyonya's Robert Zhang, 15 Years After The Show Aired". 8days. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
10. 潘, 雪忆 (22 September 2023). "《熟悉的陌生人》大胆起用新脸孔 萧歆霓、王硕瀚、卓芳娴首挑大梁". 8world Entertainment Lifestyle (in Chinese (Singapore)). Retrieved 22 September 2023.

External links

• Profile on xin.msn.com
• Profile on MediaCorp TV

• Living people
• 1978 births
• Singaporean male television actors
• Malaysian people of Chinese descent
• Malaysian people of Cantonese descent
• Male actors from Kuala Lumpur
• Malaysian male television actors
• 21st-century Malaysian male actors
• 21st-century Singaporean male actors
• Malaysian expatriates in Singapore
• Malaysian television presenters
• Singaporean television presenters