Nov 02 2009
Who’s your daddy?
Greetings and salutations, fellow stargazers! This is May Seah, your Showbiz Sista, bringing you the gender-bending hijinks of the stars of the latest drama on Channel 8, Daddy At Home.
As you probably know by now, Chen Hanwei stars as a permed-haired, paunch-ridden, vacuum cleaner-wielding stay-at-home dad, or house husband. Cynthia Koh plays his career-minded wife and boss of a beauty salon.
“It was hideous,” said Hanwei about his get-up, “but when filming, it was like magic—I naturally turned into the character. At least the tummy isn’t real!”
“As a couple, we have these signature air kisses,” said Cynthia. “When I first saw the script, I was really looking forward to my kissing scenes with Hanwei. He kept saying, ‘No, let’s not. Let’s just do air kisses.’ I was a little disappointed.” Ooh… Is it an unrequited crush on Cynthia’s part? “No, it’s because she comes home from her job at the salon looking all glam and I’m all sweaty and dirty in the kitchen, so air kisses are more natural!” Hanwei protested.
Check out those Crocs
Neighbours Li Nanxing and Ann Kok are a couple in the traditional mold, with Nanxing basing his identity on his career and Ann a stay-home mom. Then he loses his job, she lands one, and they are forced to switch roles, resulting in Nanxing filthying up the house and burning the roast. At first, Nanxing despises Hanwei for gossiping with the aunties about who knocked whom up and collecting supermarket coupons, but soon realizes that he has a lot to learn. Hooray for busting gender stereotypes!
“I’ve done so many shows, but I really like this story. It was realistic,” said Nanxing, who, in real life, is very neat and a good cook. “I wanted to laugh every time I saw Hanwei in character–I couldn’t look him in the eye!”
“This is the first time I’m co-starring with Nanxing,” said Hanwei, turning to him. “Before, I used to play your younger brother or your nameless friend: Friend A or B or C.” With three Best Actor Star Awards, Showbiz Sista isn’t sure whether to believe him! Ann has a vote of confidence for him though: “I really like Hanwei’s look. I think it’s really sexy.” “She says she gets high from looking at me,” Hanwei smirked.
Also starring are Adam Chen and Dawn Yeo. Dawn plays the kids’ tutor. “It’s the first time I’m playing a Chinese teacher,” she said. “I found myself pronouncing my words very carefully. Sometimes there were proverbs I didn’t understand!” As for Adam, he’s Dawn’s shiftless, unambitious boyfriend, and she hates that about him. “Dawn and my relationship is the foil to the other two couples,” he said.
The souvenir from the press conference!
Who will win the title of heavyweight champion daddy? Who will get left at home? Find out on weeknights at 9pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 8. Showbiz Sista, signing out. Live long and pop corn!
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