Entertainment

Another Mediacorp Actress Is Leaving The Company. Here’s Why

2018-02-08 , 9:53 am

Last Updated on 2020-02-21 , 8:49 am

I’m not a big fan of local dramas—perhaps it’s due to the fact that I dislike soap operas and our local TV stations just happen to be full of them. Anyway, back on topic. Another local Mediacorp actress, Tong Bing Yu, is leaving the company.

Only Nominations, Not Winnings

Now, in case you’re wondering if this has something to do with her not being able to make the cut for the Star Awards this year, there isn’t. At least, this was what Tong told Lianhe Wanbao when she was being interviewed.

From 2014 to 2017, she won the prestigious “Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes” twice, in 2014 and 2017. In the other two years, she was only nominated.

Tong has acted in various Mediacorp dramas, with her playing the role of a mistress in the hit drama Mightiest Mother-in-Law (最强岳母).

For her departure, according to Tong, she is unwilling to lose to the “game”, the “system” and lose to the way of “being human”.

She has also added that these are the things she feels that an actress shouldn’t lose to.

While fans of the Mediacorp actress were incredibly hopeful that she would cinch an award for her outstanding performance in Mightiest Mother-in-Law, it came as an utter shock when Tong did not even qualify as a candidate for the award.

Here, take a look at her “trailer” for the drama:

Mediacorp has extended her contract until the end of February, in hopes of convincing Tong to stay. However, it would appear that Tong has already made up her mind.

She has also revealed that the current condition of the TV industry in Singapore is one of the many reasons why she has decided to leave Mediacorp.

According to Tong, the reason why she came to Singapore from Malaysia was because she wanted to be an actress. The 34-year-old, who looks like a 24-year-old, started her acting journey from 2008 in Malaysia.

However, after 7 years in Singapore, she has realized that what Mediacorp truly needs isn’t actors and actresses.

Oooh snap, is that what I think it is?

I love how she phrased her sentences. It’s one of those “We get what you really mean” moments!

The China Film Industry

And what we’re thinking might be right. Tong was hesitant about leaving Mediacorp at first, but everything changed after she went over to China to film a TV series.

Tong said that she was paid the equivalent of a year’s salary in Mediacorp for her work in the China TV series. However, the immense disparity in salary was not the only factor motivating Tong to go to China.

The Mediacorp actress also added that due to her participation in local dramas, she had to pass up on two opportunities to act in a China production—including one from a critically acclaimed producer.

Well, given all her sacrifices, it’s no wonder she would be disheartened when she found out that she did not even make the cut for Star Awards. If I were her, I would have done the same. You know, going somewhere you can truly shine and show the world what you’re capable of!

Tong did not deny the possibility of working with Mediacorp in the future. She said that if Mediacorp thinks that she is “valuable” and “of use” to them, they can always go look for her again.

Nicely said, Miss Tong. Nicely said.

In the last four months, a number of Mediacorp artistes have not re-contracted. In October 2017, it is revealed that Jeannette Aw left Mediacorp at the peak of her career. About one month later, celebrity couple Andie Chen & Kate Pang left Mediacorp to focus on new media.

Just last month, reports of Sharon Au leaving Mediacorp surfaced as she would be leaving them after 1 February 2018.

While we have no idea how things will turn out for Miss Tong, let’s wish her the best in her future endeavours!

Another Mediacorp Actress Is Leaving The Company. Here’s Why

Only Nominations, Not Winnings

The China Film Industry

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