Actress Zoe Tay reunites with veteran actor and former co-star Damian Lau in Hong Kong
Actress Zoe Tay reunites with veteran actor and former co-star Damian Lau in Hong Kong
SINGAPORE – Home-grown actress Zoe Tay made a special trip to Hong Kong during her recent visit to China so she could meet her former co-star Damian Lau Chung Yan.
The two had kept in touch since acting together in the Mediacorp blockbuster drama The Dream Makers II (2015 to 2016), but had not seen each other in 10 years.
On May 20, Tay shared three photos taken with the veteran Hong Kong actor on social media.
'Brother Chung is still as spirited after 10 years,' the 'Ah Jie' (Big Sister) of Singapore television wrote. 'I'm really happy to see you again and we have so much to chat about. Thank you for sharing your philosophy of life.'
Lau, who played Emperor Kangxi in the Chinese palace drama Scarlet Heart (2011), was pictured smiling and looked energetic.
The 75-year-old was speculated to be in ill health in recent years, including claims of a stroke, which he has refuted, after the media spotted him with a walking stick in 2020. He announced his retirement after performing in a musical in 2024 and has since rarely appeared in public.
Tay, 57, told Lianhe Zaobao on May 21 that she met Lau at a restaurant in Hong Kong and they chatted for more than two hours.
'He often asked me when I would go to Hong Kong,' Tay told the Chinese-language daily. 'I was travelling in Guangzhou, Foshan and Zhongshan recently, so I arranged a trip to Hong Kong.'
Lau launched his first book – a not-for-sale photography series, Damian's Rendezvous – earlier in 2025 and sent a copy to Tay in Singapore, as he thought there was no chance of them meeting up in the near future.
Tay, who played the matriarch Liu Xiuniang in Mediacorp's blockbuster drama Emerald Hill (2025), said Lau is preparing for his second book, and his life after retirement is very fulfilling.
'Brother Chung is in good shape and he is living very happily,' she told Zaobao. 'He told me that this period is the best time of his life.'
With Lau having retired , the chances of Tay and Lau acting together again are slim.
'It was a great honour to work with him in The Dream Makers II,' Tay said. 'He is a very experienced actor and I really learnt a lot from him.'
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AsiaOne
2 hours ago
- AsiaOne
'I grew up watching him', says Ahn Hyo-seop on acting with Lee Min-ho in Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy , Entertainment News
South Korean actor Ahn Hyo-seop is making his debut on the big screens with the new movie Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, and during a press conference at Sands Expo & Convention Centre today (July 29), he said he's a fan of co-star Lee Min-ho. "It was really easy to act throughout the filming process because like how (my character) Kim Dok-ja admires and idolises (Min-ho's character) Yu Jung-hyeok, I feel the same about Min-ho. I grew up watching him act and watching his projects, so I was already his fan," said 30-year-old Hyo-seop. Dok-ja is an ordinary office worker and the only devoted reader of a little-known web novel. When the story's fictional apocalyptic world comes to life and its omnipotent hero Jung-hyeok appears before him, Dok-ja must use his knowledge of the story to write a new ending. Besides the two actors, director Kim Byung-woo is also here. Here come Lee Min-ho and Ahn Hyo-seop for the Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy.#LeeMinHo #AhnHyoSeop #OmniscientReader_TheProphet — AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) July 29, 2025 Singapore marks their first and only international promotional stop outside of South Korea. In the movie, Dok-ja is described as a "plain-looking person", and the host quipped that Hyo-seop isn't, asking if it was difficult to portray such a character. Laughing and shaking his head, he humbly said: "I don't think I'm that outstanding. Since the story talks about being ordinary, it made me question, 'What is being ordinary like in the world?' There are people who are tall, but there are also those who are short. "Some have prominent faces while others have plain ones. So, I was questioning myself, 'Who am I? Where do I belong?'" He concluded that he's ordinary: "If I consider myself outstanding or special, I thought that I wouldn't be able to start filming this movie." [[nid:720752]] Meanwhile, Jung-hyeok is described as someone with an "outstanding and beautiful face", and Min-ho, 38, said that's the hardest part about playing his character. "I believe that people should be defined by their internal self... I'm a very ordinary person internally, so knowing that, it was difficult to portray such an extraordinary character." Which character would Hyo-seop and Min-ho ally with if fiction became reality? Both of them chose machine gun-wielding Lee Ji-hye, because she's played by Blackpink's Jisoo. "Instead of using her weapon, I'll listen to her song. Her music will become the strongest power," Min-ho joked. Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy, which also stars Chae Soo-bin, Shin Seung-ho, Nana, and child actor Kwon Eun-seong, opens in Singapore cinemas on July 31. Hyo-seop, Min-ho and Byung-woo will make appearances at special screenings held at Golden Village Suntec City and Golden Village VivoCity today. Tickets are sold out. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) syarifahsn@
Vogue Singapore
3 hours ago
- Vogue Singapore
The best luxury hotels in Bangkok, Thailand Travel, Lifestyle
Courtesy of Capella Bangkok Bursting with vibrant culture, delicious food and a thriving retail landscape, Bangkok has long been one of the top travel capitals in Asia for good reason. What the recent few years have bestowed upon us, however, is a luxury hotel scene so fertile—it is the veritable gift that keeps on giving. Post-pandemic, the city has seen a slew of top hospitality brands from around the globe opening palatial properties on its shores, from stalwarts like Capella Bangkok (presently the top name on The World's 50 Best Hotels list) to boutique darlings like The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon. Most recently, another storied brand has unveiled a highly-anticipated address: Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, an art-filled oasis bringing a dose of serenity to the city bustle. Each hotel on this list boasts a diverse set of offerings—from astounding dining experiences to exceptional wellness programmes—but what they share in common is exceptional service, cementing Thailand's well-deserved reputation as the land of warmth and hospitality. When you book a stay at any one of these addresses, what you can expect is a hotel experience as flawless as it gets: kindred service that makes you feel impossibly at home, thoughtful design perfectly balancing comfort and opulence, and an ideal vantage point to everything Bangkok has to offer. When in one of the greatest cities in the world, there is little more we could think to ask for. Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok 1 / 6 Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok Situated right in the heart of Bangkok's arts district and overlooking the serene Chao Phraya river is the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, an urban sanctuary perfect for the creatively-inclined voyager. Artwork frames every wall, with large-scale installations featuring river-inspired settings anchoring main sections of the lobby. Beyond the spectacular collection of masterpieces on display (amassed by the hotel's famed interior designer Jean-Michel Gathy), the hotel also maintains a symbiotic partnership with Bangkok's Museum of Contemporary Art, curating rotating exhibitions featuring contemporary Thai artists in the hotel's very own art wing. Negative space is utilised beautifully within the building's architecture, and guest rooms are suitably enormous, with windows stretching from the floors to the tall ceilings and offering unblocked river views. The most exciting dining concept here is Chinese restaurant Yu Ting Yuan. Specialising in classic Cantonese cuisine, the restaurant is a destination in and of itself, with reservations often booked out months in advance. Courtesy of Dusit Thani 2 / 6 Dusit Thani Bangkok The local legend makes a comeback—Dusit Thani, which opened as one of the very first luxury hotels in Bangkok back in 1970, now reveals a brand new facelift. Joining hands with André Fu Studios, the hotel sparkles with an old world charm. Colours of celadon green, sage and champagne hues ground the most part of the interiors, with gold finishings as luxurious accents. Traces of Thai history and the original hotel's legacy can be spotted within the hotel, from the lobby arched like a pavilion to a nine-level waterfall garden flanked by 50-year-old trees. But what truly is astounding about Dusit Thani's reopening stands to be its bigger rooms, with each nook offering expansive views of Lumpini Park, lined by cushy day-beds that are inspired by traditional Thai salas. To unwind, head to the ultimate resting place, known as Devarana Wellness, where one can get a relaxing massage and a sound bath session conducted in a cocoon-shaped room. Of course, when in a towering building, the rooftop bar is always a good idea. At Dusit Thani, there are two: the 1970 Bar and Spire Rooftop Bar that will grant exquisite panoramas of the city's glittering skyline. Courtesy of Aman 3 / 6 Aman Nai Lert Bangkok By design and placement, finding a place that could echo the all-immersive Aman standard in the busy capital of Thailand had to be quite the feat. And fortunately, the name Nai Lert would hold the right cards. Right next to the verdant Nai Lert Park, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is a vision that brims with cultural inflections—with a vast and thoughtful art collection, each bespoke piece produced by local craftsmen. Inside each suite, lies an expanse of space bathed in neutrals and poised like a personal sanctuary—from the gigantic bath to the luxurious walk-in closet cum lounge. Whilst at the Aman Wellness Centre, is where every fitness and wellness junkie will be thoroughly sated (think a state-of-the-art-gym, Pilates classes, cold plunge and more)—especially with the addition of a relaxing massage that heeds ancient Thai traditions at the Aman Spa. When it comes to the food, make sure to never miss a meal at the hotel. Think authentic Thai cuisine served from morning to night, as well as a decadent range of Italian and Japanese specialities at its exquisite restaurants. Courtesy of The St. Regis Bangkok 4 / 6 The St. Regis Bangkok Standing out amongst the Thai capital's many luxury hotels is no easy feat, but The St. Regis Bangkok achieves this through genuine and warm hospitality, world-class amenities and an incredible slate of dining options—from all-day dining destination Viu, which serves up one of the best breakfast spreads in the city, to one-Michelin-starred Igniv Bangkok, the hotel's brilliant fine-dining establishment. The hotel's stellar location is certainly a plus too. Bangkok's biggest shopping district is a short walk away, as is the picturesque Lumpini Park. The hotel also has direct access to the BTS Skytrain network, so exploring the city is as convenient as ever. And to unwind after a long day of shopping, drop by the hotel's spa and aesthetics clinic Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie—the acclaimed brand's first flagship outside Europe. The relaxation areas here are world-class, equipped with amenities such as Thai herbal steam rooms, vitality pools and a foot reflexology water walk. A wide range of massage treatments and facial experiences await, the latter of which makes use of the brand's premium skincare products. It's a sanctuary of rejuvenation so blissful that you'll find yourself struggling to leave. Courtesy of The Standard 5 / 6 The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon One of the hippest hotels in Bangkok, The Standard boasts stellar design and cultural programming anchored by delectable food and drink hotspots. Castleton green and rosewood shades fill the space alongside leafy foliage from the hotel's potted plants. Its shelves act as a gallery of sorts, with artful, whimsical objects made by Thai artisans on display. Rooms are dressed in neutral tones with pops of rust on the bed, and also feature a dusty pink bathroom and rain shower. As extensions of your fanciful home away from home, they offer every luxury amenity you will need. Located in the Ole Scheeren-designed Mahanakhon Tower, ducking out of the hotel for a Michelin-starred meal or the city's famed crab omelette is an easy ride away, but staying in for your meals and avoiding Bangkok's notorious traffic is a wondrous option too. Courtesy of Capella Bangkok 6 / 6 Capella Bangkok There are few addresses in the city more staggering than Capella Bangkok, Thailand's first outpost of the Singaporean hotel brand. Claiming the top spot on The World's 50 Best Hotels list in 2024, the grand dame property is surrounded by lush gardens and the serenity of the Chao Phraya river. Rooms come spacious and dripping with opulence, while riverside villas and suites boast private pools and riverside views that will make it nearly impossible to tear yourself away to explore the city. What makes a stay here truly memorable are the Capella Culturalists, or personal butlers, who are on hand around the clock to provide anything guests could possibly need or want: custom itineraries, restaurant recommendations or even a dramatic retelling of Thai history. Remarkably intuitive and knowledgable, these custodians of hospitality take good service to a whole new level—they might just spoil you for life.
AsiaOne
8 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Uniqlo launching T-shirt collection in collab with Pokemon Trading Card Game, Lifestyle News
Pokemon fans will soon have another item to collect other than trading cards. On Aug 11, Uniqlo will be launching its first-ever UT (Uniqlo t-shirts) Collection in collaboration with the popular Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) and the Pokemon TCG Pocket App, the brand announced in a press release today (July 29). For those who aren't familiar, the Pokemon TCG Pocket App allows fans to collect Pokemon cards digitally. Inspired by the card game's original illustrations, designs in the new UT Collection will feature popular Pokemon characters like Pikachu, Lapras and Mewtwo. The T-shirts for men ($19.90) come in five designs ranging from sizes XS to XL, while four designs ($14.90) are available for kids ranging from 100cm to 160cm in height. Additionally, to celebrate the release of the collection, fans will be able to catch Pikachu mascots at Uniqlo's Orchard Central flagship outlet and its Jewel Changi Airport store on the day of the launch (Aug 11). Simply purchase two T-shirts from the collection at either one of the stores and you'll be able to snap a photo with the mascots across five 30-minute timeslots, between 12pm and 6.30pm. As a bonus, sharing the photo on Instagram and tagging Uniqlo's account will also give you a chance to win a Pokemon Trading Card Game Deluxe Battle Deck. Submissions will be valid until Aug 17, and three winners will be announced on Aug 18. The Uniqlo and Pokemon TCG UT Collection will be available online and at all Uniqlo stores islandwide. [[nid:718421]]
