On 25 January 2025, Zoe Tay, Shaun Chen, and Zhang Ze Tong arrived in Malaysia for the final stop of Astro’s “Be Joyful. Share the Prosperity” 《喜乐乐SHARE丰年》exclusive fan meet before Chinese New Year. The trio also promoted their upcoming drama, Emerald Hill 《小娘惹之翡翠山》, which is set to premiere this March on Astro AEC.
Set in Singapore during the 1950s and 60s, Emerald Hill, is a spin-off of the Mediacorp classic The Little Nyonya, a drama that received widespread acclaim when it originally aired. During a media group interview, Zoe Tay, Shaun Chen, and Zhang Ze Tong were asked if they felt pressure due to the success of the original series. All three denied feeling any pressure, with Zoe Tay expressing gratitude for the original drama’s popularity, as it sparked interest and discussions about the unique Peranakan culture.
This series marks Zoe Tay’s first time playing a character aged 70. She takes on the role of “Liu Xiu Niang,” the matriarch of a Nyonya family. Tay shared that she fully embraced the aging makeup, as she values the depth and substance of the role. She also adjusted her speech delivery to suit the character and emphasized her love for Chinese New Year, saying it’s a time when her family must reunite. “Even though I participate in recording Chinese New Year programs every year, I make it a point to have reunion dinner with my family earlier,” she said.
Shaun Chen, who plays Tay’s eldest son “Zhang Jinhai,” praised Taiwanese actor Hsiu Chieh-kai, who plays his younger brother “Zhang Jinhe,” for his dedication to his role. “It’s great to have him joining the cast. Coming from different countries, we had great exchanges, and the scenes between us three brothers are very engaging!”
Zhang Ze Tong, returning to Malaysia to promote the drama, plays Oon Shu An’s adopted son “Huang Zuye.” He admitted feeling nervous about working with Oon Shu An for the first time, but appreciated her guidance. “When I first collaborated with her, it was as a host. This time, acting alongside her felt intense. For one scene, I had to eat a Nyonya rice dumpling, but I kept messing up. Seeing this, she discussed it with the director, and they eventually found a way to shoot the scene so I didn’t have to eat so many dumplings,” he shared.
Apart from Zoe Tay, Shaun Chen, and Zhang Ze Tong, the fan meet also featured Astro artistes such as Jentzen Lim, Mavis Yap, Nicole Lai, Geraldine Gan, Vicky Tan, Kryston Woon, Ribbon Huang, and Xiao Wei Wei, who performed festive songs “Yi Qi Fa Da Fa Da La” 《一起发达发达啦》 and Astro’s CNY theme song,《SHARE丰年》. Cast members from Astro Originals’ Chinese New Year drama “All The Good Things” 《好事将至》, including Aenie Wong, Tedd Chan, Vivienne Onn, Wilson Lee, Sherlyn Seo, Alvin Wong, Hayden Ong, and Cai Yong Qi, also made appearances to celebrate the festivities with fans.
For more details on Astro’s 2025 Chinese New Year campaign, “Be Joyful. Share the Prosperity”, visit xilele2025.com. Sign up for the Astro One package for just RM49.99/month to enjoy endless on-demand entertainment. For an enhanced streaming experience, upgrade to RM139.99/month and get the Astro Fibre 500Mbps high-speed internet bundled with the Entertainment package. Visit the My Astro App, astro.com.my, or WhatsApp 03-9543 3838 to learn more.
dixonthum 