| Huang Bi Ren Chinese: 黄碧仁 |
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|---|---|
Huang Biren filming a TV ad |
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| Born | Wee Pat Ling March 7, 1969 Singapore |
| Residence | Singapore |
| Nationality | Singapore |
| Other names | Pat, Pat Wee, Ticko, Acting Queen, Ling, Panjang |
| Occupation | Actress (1988-2008) |
| Employer | - |
| Known for | roles in Beautiful Connection (Ke Lian) My Lucky Charm (Lucky) |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Spouse | Adrian Quek |
Huang Biren is a television actress in Singapore. She has left the local TV station, MediaCorp TV since 30 June 2008.
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Huang joined the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (now MediaCorp) in 1988 after completing its Professional Drama Performers' Training course. Despite having a rocky start, she is known as one of the few actresses in MediaCorp with the height and figure for a model. In 1993, she almost left for Hawaii Pacific University in Hawaii to study for a business degree due to her career uncertainties. In 1994, Huang even received negative feedback on her acting in the show Silk and Romance. She almost quit the entertainment industry and wanted to join the beauty line as her mother was in it. (Reference: 8days Interview)
Having been in the industry for 10 years, Huang won her first Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste award in Star Awards 1997. In 1998, Huang went on to star in the hit Chinese drama series Stand By Me, which recorded rocketing viewership ratings (defeating the high-profile series Return of the Condor Heroes), despite very little promotion done prior to the drama's telecast. She played a patient and caring wife of a paraplegic (played by Xie Shaoguang), which won her the Best Actress Award at the 1998 Star Awards. She was also the first Singaporean actress ever to receive a Best Actress nomination in the 1998 Asian Television Awards for Stand By Me. Her performance in this drama had touched many audience - since then, she has become a household name for many Singaporeans.
Huang has been consistently named as one of the "Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes" at MediaCorp since 1997. Having acted in more than 45 drama series to date, her roles have ranged from contemporary to period drama to comedy. She is frequently lauded as the best actress of her generation, and is sometimes dupped as the Meryl Streep of MediaCorp by some industry watchers and magazines. (Reference: 8days)
Other award-winning lead roles other than the one in Stand By Me includes Kelian, where she played an old-fashioned and cowardly woman who was always being abused by her mother in Beautiful Connection (2002), and Lucky, where she played a gambling addict in My Lucky Charm (2005).[1] She and Ivy Lee are the only actresses in MediaCorp to be crowned Best Actress three times at the in-house Star Awards.
In 2003, Huang was nominated for the Best Drama Performance by an Actress award in the Asian Television Awards for her role in A Child's Hope. In the same year, Huang was listed in People at The Peak – The Who's Who of Singapore. Her name was once again listed in the second edition of the book, which was published in 2006. The books were sold globally.
From 2005, Huang has had fewer drama series being telecast on television. She filmed an average of only one serial per year, compared to three serials per year between 2002 and 2004. The drop in the drama serials she has filmed recently was attributed to Huang suffering from asthma, thus having to apply for one year medical leave.[2][3]
Huang did not film any serials in Year 2006. The Undisclosed which was telecast in 2006, was filmed in 2005. She has instead hosted or appeared as guest in some variety shows. Though her drama serials have reduced significantly in recent years, Huang was still able to maintain her popularity levels, as attested by her recent wins of popularity awards at the Star Awards ceremonies.
In 2007, Huang was once again nominated for the Best Actress award in the Asian Television Awards (ATA) and Star Awards 2007 for her role as a fat, naggy and fierce housewife in Mars VS Venus. Though Huang did not manage to clinch both of the awards, she was tipped the hot favourite to win by many media, audience and industry watchers. Huang was cited as saying the following to reporters after she lost the ATA Best Actress award to Filipino actress Gina Pareno:
A nomination out of so many countries - you're talking about the whole of Asia - is already something to be proud of. So, I think it's already something that I feel is a great achievement. (Reference: Channel News Asia)
In the Star Awards 25th Anniversary Show, Huang won the coveted My Favourite Actress Award, winning hot favourites Zoe Tay and Fann Wong. Huang was the first female artiste to win this prestigious award, which was given out in commemoration of 25 Years of drama productions. (Click on reference link to watch video of her speech.) [4]
An interview conducted by 8 Days magazine in November 2007 stated that Huang had been the lead actress in seven of the eleven dramas with the annual highest viewership since 1997. (8 Days reference: Nov 07)
In June 2007, Huang was chosen as one of the 10 TV mentors for the Star Search 2007 Reality Talent Show contestants.[5]
On 4 August 2008, MediaCorp released news that Huang has left the TV station since 30 June 2008. The main reasons for her leaving were disagreements with MediaCorp over the new contract terms, (such as salary package) offered to her; and she also wanted to spend more time with her family, especially her 5 month old infant girl. Huang was quoted as saying this to reporters,
I thought about it (whether to renew her contract) even when I was (about to sleep) in bed... But when the time came to make the decision, I had to be firm. (Reference: The New Paper)
Her decision to leave this industry was seen as a huge loss to MediaCorp Channel 8 by many audience, as her drama series have consistently achieved high viewership ratings and her acting skills were recognised by many. After the news was released, forums were abuzz with numerous discussions about this issue, and many questioned if Huang would still be able to receive the coveted All Time Favourite Award (an award given out in accumulation for winning the Top 10 award 10 times) this year.[6][7][8][9][10][11] Paul Chan, MediaCorp's Vice-President for Branding and Promotions, answered to the query by saying that the company has not decided if Huang will get the award as meetings with the Star Awards 2009 Committee have not been held yet. MediaCorp does not rule out future collaborations with Huang on a project basis.
Huang was initially offered a role in the 2008 MediaCorp mega-blockbuster drama series, The Little Nyonya. As she decided not to renew her contract, the role was offered to Xiang Yun instead.
On 31 October 2008, MediaCorp confirmed Huang would be receiving the coveted All Time Favourite Artiste Award at the Star Awards 2009.
On 1 November 2008, Huang answered the queries of the audience if she would come back, through telling reporters she has rejected some invitations from the TV Station to film dramas on a project basis. Huang was quoted as saying,
If I were to come back, the most important conditions are (quality of) the script, role, how much time is needed for filming, and my husband's support. Money isn't a problem. (Source: Shin Min News)
Huang was featured in the Straits Times Monday Interview in the Life! Section published on 3 November 2008. In the interview, she talked about her life in the younger days, career, family and chances of making a comeback.[12] In the interview, she mentioned that she is "already fielding offers from production houses as well as theatre companies, though she has not accepted any yet", as she has to take care of her two children.
On 20 January 2009, Huang made a public appearance where she attended the gala premiere of local movie Love Matters.
Huang was awarded the All Time Favourite Artiste Award at the Star Awards 2009 ceremony held on 26 April 2009. The award was presented to her by Singapore's President, Sellapan Ramanathan.[13] (Click on the reference link to see her receiving the coveted award at the ceremony)
Huang is currently one of the spokespersons for OCBC Bank's SmartSenior Programme. She filmed a TV advertisement for the bank, which also featured her mother.[14]
In January 2010, Huang filmed a one-minute TV advertisement for L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Face Cream.[15]
In August 2010, Huang became the ambassador for Ginvera Grorich Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. A television commercial was filmed and advertisements were also published in numerous print media.
Huang was also appointed ambassador of slimming company BeauteHub in February 2011.
MediaCorp has also announced that Huang would be attending the Star Awards 2011 ceremony (Show 1) to be held on 17 April 2011. She would be one of the invited guest award presenters.
In June 2011, Huang was interviewed by LiveWell magazine. She said it was her dream to film a movie and she has plans to do so in the future if there is a chance.[16]
(Note: Huang has made public appearances in several seminars as a guest speaker. See: Huang Biren#Events )
Often nicknamed Panjang by some friends and colleagues, Huang has one older sister and one younger brother. She was educated at Mayflower Primary School and Mayflower Secondary School, where she developed a keen interest in oratorical and storytelling contests. She then completed her A Levels at Ang Mo Kio Pre-U Centre.
She married Adrian Quek, a police superintendent in 1996 after dating him for two years. The couple have a son named Justin, born on 10 March 2000. On 30 July 2007, Huang announced that she was two months pregnant with her second child, a girl due in March 2008.[17][18][19][20] On 6 March 2008 10:08 am, Huang gave birth to her second child, one day before her own birthday at Thomson Medical Centre. The newborn is named Janessa. The birth of her newborn was described by Huang as extremely smooth.[21]
On 9 February 2009, which was also the 15th day of the Lunar New Year（元宵节）, Huang's father died at the age of 67. Her father's departure was described by Huang as extremely sudden as he had been healthy all along.
On 29 September 2009, Huang was interviewed by reporters at the wedding ceremony of MediaCorp artistes Fann Wong and Christopher Lee where she was one of the invited guests at Shangri-La Hotel. She admitted she is currently two-and-a-half months pregnant with her third child. The pregnancy was unplanned and the newborn would be a girl. The baby is expected to be born in April 2010.
In February 2010, Huang commented that her third pregnancy was a tough one when she was interviewed by The New Paper. She had an extreme case of severe morning sickness where she had to take medication to prevent herself from throwing up in the first trimester. Huang also feels more tired compared to her second pregnancy mainly because taking care of Janessa (her second child) takes up a lot of her energy.[22] Biren gave birth to her baby girl, Janelle, on 29 April 2010.
| Year | Title | Role | Star Awards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Return Of The Prince 丝路迷城 |
Zi Yi 紫依 |
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| My Sweet Rival 摩登俏冤家 |
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| Patrol 铁警雄风 |
May | |||
| 1990 | Wishing Well 幻海奇遇 |
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| The Village Hero 大吉传奇 |
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| 1991 | Home Sweet Home 宜家宜乐 |
Long-running drama 110 episodes |
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| Friends Next Door 我爱芳邻 |
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| 1992 | Mystery II 迷离夜II |
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| The Breaking Point 暴风边缘 |
Ding Chu Bing 丁楚冰 |
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| 1993 | Happy Reunion 年年有鱼 |
Zhu Bao Bao 朱宝宝 |
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| The Invincible Warriors 皇朝铁将金粉情 |
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| Angel of Vengeance 暴雨狂花 |
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| 1994 | Silk And Romance 情丝万缕 |
Zhong Qi 钟琪 |
China-Singapore Co-production 新中合资电视剧 |
|
| 1995 | Legend of the White Hair Brides 塞外奇侠 |
Lian Nichang 练霓裳/白发魔女 |
China-Singapore Co-production 新中合资电视剧 |
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| Project 'B' B计划 |
Qin Lei 秦雷 |
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| Morning Express 阳光列车 |
Teacher Han 韩老师 |
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| Strange Encounters II 奇缘III之门神 |
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| Strange Encounters III 奇缘III之救姻缘 |
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| The Ranger 铁血雄心 |
Telemovie 电视电影 |
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| 1996 | Courting Trouble 婚姻法庭 |
Wan Qing 宛清 |
Best Supporting Actress nomination (Top 5) | |
| Living By Night 都是夜归人 |
Gu Xian Fang 顾显芳 |
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| Money, Dollars and Sense 5C老公 |
Song Xue Qin 宋學琴 |
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| 1997 | My Wife, Your Wife, Their Wives 101老婆之老婆柠檬茶 |
Kitty 何慧欣 |
Appeared in only two episodes | |
| Tales Of The City 都市奇情 |
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| 1998 | Man at the Crossroads 四个好涩的男人 |
Li Mei Yi 李美儀 |
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| Stand By Me 家人有约 |
Lin Wen Yu 林文玉 |
Best Actress Award Best Actress nomination, Asian TV Awards 1998 Top Viewership Drama 1998 Best Drama Serial |
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| 1999 | From The Courtroom 法庭故事 |
Yang Zhan Yi 楊展儀 |
Best Actress nomination (Top 5) | |
| Are you my Brother? 错体双宝 |
Fang Ting 方婷 |
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| 爱情乱码 | Taiwan-Singapore Co-production 新台合资电视剧 |
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| 2000 | Angel's Dream 真相 |
Ye Ning 叶宁 |
Best Supporting Actress nomination (Top 5) | |
| 2001 | The Hotel 大酒店 |
Huang Yi Ren 黄伊仁 |
Guest appearance | |
| Three Women and A Half 三个半女人 |
Cheng Pei Yi Monica 程佩仪 |
Best Actress nomination (Top 5) Top Viewership Drama 2001 Best Drama Serial |
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| 2002 | Viva Le Famille 好儿好女 |
Sun Yu Min 孙欲敏 |
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| The Vagrant 豹子胆 |
Gan Shushu 甘椒椒 |
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| Beautiful Connection 九层糕 |
Fan Kelian 范可怜 |
Best Actress Award Top Viewership Drama 2002 Best Drama Serial |
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| 2003 | Viva Le Famille II 好儿好女II |
Sun Yu Min 孙欲敏 |
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| Holland V 荷兰村 |
Huang Biren | Guest appearance | ||
| Home In Toa Payoh 家在大巴窑 |
Zheng Hui Ming 郑惠明 |
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| A Child's Hope 孩有明天 |
Ding Sao 丁嫂 |
Best Actress nomination, Asian TV Awards 2003 | ||
| Popiah and Me | Su-Lin | English Drama 英语电视剧 |
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| 2004 | Timeless Gift 遗情未了 |
Guo Yue Li 郭月丽 |
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| Beautiful Trio 大女人小女人 |
Christina | |||
| Double Happiness II 喜临门II |
Huang Biren | Guest appearance | ||
| An Ode To Life 三十风雨路 |
Wang Su Zhi 汪素枝 |
Best Actress nomination (Top 5) Top Viewership Drama 2004 |
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| Chronicles of Life 我爱我家之真情实录《谁可相依》 |
Liu Bao Yu 柳保妤 |
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| 2005 | My Lucky Charm 情来运转 |
Lucky Zhang Qiu Yue 张秋月 |
Best Actress Award | |
| 2006 | The Undisclosed 迷云二十天 |
Yan Ke Xin 严可欣 |
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| 2007 | Mars VS Venus 幸福双人床 |
Xie Wen Jing 谢文静 |
Best Actress nomination (Top 5) Best Actress nomination, Asian TV Awards 2007 |
Other than the annual Star Awards ceremony, Biren has also appeared in the following variety shows (only selected ones listed).
| Year | Name of Variety Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Variety Tonight 开心五重奏 | Host |
| 1992 | Variety Tonight 开心五重奏 | Host |
| Sunday in Singapore 美丽星期天 | Host | |
| 1993 | Lunar New Year Special '93 迎新年1993 | Host |
| Star Speak 星星问 | Host | |
| Variety Tonight 开心五重奏 | Host | |
| Countdown '93 1993年到数活动！ | Host | |
| 1994 | Afternoon Leisure Hour 午后闲情 | Host |
| 2001 | President Star Charity 2001 总统星光慈善2001 | Team Leader cum participant |
| 2002 | President Star Charity 2002 总统星光慈善2002 | Team Leader cum participant |
| NKF Charity Show 2002 | Participant | |
| Truehearts Charity Show 公益大联盟慈善活动 | Charity Leader | |
| 2003 | Mission 3 创业无敌手3 | Guest |
| NKF Charity Show 2003 | Participant | |
| 2006 | Nightwalk 步夜城 | Host |
| Glamour Licious 2 请你吃好料2 | Co-host | |
| Made in Singapore 出级至胜 | Guest | |
| Where The Queue Starts 排排站，查查看 | Guest | |
| Never Say Die Talent Contest 永不言败 | Judge | |
| Hey Baby! Hey Baby!幸福密码 | Judge | |
| President Star Charity 2006 总统星光慈善2006 | Dancing Segment (Participant) | |
| Chinese New Year Celebrations 2006 | MediaCorp Artiste participant | |
| Star Awards Prelude 2006 迈向红星大奖2006 | Guest | |
| 2007 | 才华横溢出新秀 Star Search Singapore | Mentor |
| Mission 4 创业无敌手IV Episode 1 and 2 第一、二集 |
Co-host | |
| Get It Right 2 正是如此 2 | Guest | |
| Where The Queue Starts 2 排排站 查查看2 | Guest | |
| The Numbers Game 数战速决 | Guest | |
| Stars, Beat It! 王牌对王牌 2 | Guest | |
| Bioskin Dreams Come True Beauty Contest | Judge | |
| Star Awards Prelude 2007 星光隧道 | Guest | |
| Adonis Beauty Chatterbox ADONIS 美丽论谈 | Guest | |
| 2008 | Glamour Mum and The Dude (Episode 5) 辣妈好时尚：第五集 |
Co-host |
| 2011 | Star Awards 2011 Show 1 红星大奖2011 第一场 |
Award Presenter |
Huang Biren has made several public appearances in MediaCorp organised seminars since June 2008, though she does not have a contract with the TV Station. They include:
| Year | Recognition |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 1997 |
| Best Supporting Actress Nominee, Star Awards 1997 (Courting Trouble) | |
| 1998 | Best Actress award, Star Awards 1998 (Stand By Me) |
| Best Actress Nominee, Asian Television Awards (Stand By Me) | |
| 1999 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 1999 |
| Best Actress Nominee, Star Awards 1999 (From The Courtroom) | |
| 2000 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 2000 |
| Best Supporting Actress Nominee, Star Awards 2000 (Angel's Dream) | |
| Most Popular Singaporean Actress in Malaysia nominee, Star Awards 2000 | |
| 2001 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 2001 |
| Best Actress Nominee, Star Awards 2001 (Three Women And A Half) | |
| Most Popular Singaporean Actress in Malaysia nominee, Star Awards 2001 | |
| 2002 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 2002 |
| Best Actress award, Star Awards 2002 (Beautiful Connection) | |
| 联合早报 风云人物 - 电视：黄碧仁 (Organised by Lian He Zao Bao) | |
| 2003 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 2003 |
| Best Acting Partners Nominee (nominated with Xie Shaoguang), Star Awards 2003 | |
| Most Popular Singaporean Actress in Malaysia nominee, Star Awards 2003 | |
| Best Actress Nominee, Asian Television Awards 2003 (A Child's Hope) | |
| People at The Peak (2nd edition) 新加坡顶尖人物榜(第二版) | |
| 2004 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 2004 |
| Best Actress Nominee, Star Awards 2004 (An Ode To Life) | |
| 2005 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 2005 |
| Best Actress award, Star Awards 2005 (My Lucky Charm) | |
| 2006 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 2006 |
| People at The Peak (3rd edition) 新加坡顶尖人物榜 (第三版) | |
| 2007 | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes, Star Awards 2007 |
| My Favourite Actress, Star Awards 25th Anniversary Show | |
| My Favourite Onscreen Couple (won with Xie Shaoguang), Star Awards 25th Anniversary Show | |
| Best Actress Nominee, Star Awards 2007 (Mars VS Venus) | |
| Best Actress Nominee, Asian Television Awards 2007 (Mars VS Venus) | |
| 2008 2009 |
All Time Favourite Artiste Award, Star Awards 2009 |
Note: There is no Star Awards 2008 being held.
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