When she’s not on the road, Malaysian-born Jacquelin Ch’ng makes a labour of love on set in Hong Kong and is frequently found in colloquial online broadcasts on her channels.
Jacquelin Ch’ng is the right cut out for stardom. The natural appeal of this celebrity stands at a height of 177cm, candidly drawing attention to her slender figure and friendly beauty. More thanks to basketball and high jump in her schooling days.
Although she’s born in Malaysia, Jacquelin found heels fitting to her size in Hong Kong, the city where she grew up in. As an urban city-dweller, her favourite place in Malaysia is none other than the Pearl of the Orient. “I love to go to Penang. The place is just beautiful and especially the food, it is delicious.” However, the iconic city with lofty twin-towers is the place she would call home.
Count yourself lucky if you manage to spot Jacquelin in any of her recurring returns to the country over the calls of festivities, holidays and most importantly, filial piety as her parents, Malaysian property tycoons Datuk Bill Ch’ng Poh and Datin Kong Yuk Chu, are based in Kuala Lumpur.
Leading the Ch’ng sister-pack, Jacquelin, as the eldest of her siblings dramatically paid her dues in Hong Kong as a TVB actress and movie star together with her sister, Lisa, who is also in the entertainment industry of Hong Kong.
Jacquelin is no newcomer to the scene having starred in the big screen of Hong Kong’s million-dollar box office movies like “S for Sex, S for Secret” and “Return of the Cuckoo” otherwise commercially successful TVB dramas such as “Two Steps from Heaven” and “Heart and Greed 3”.
“There are no other jobs out there for you to explore different characters and roles. I have the most fun in acting; being able to play a different person, do things that you ordinarily won’t and wear your emotions on your sleeve–be it of anger or sadness–in front of many people.”
While she talks about her multifarious roles, it is revealed that Jacquelin’s pursuit of new experiences is also well-satiated in her career. “I get to visit plenty of places and understand various cultures. There was once we even filmed in a prison.
“As an actress, I get to cross-path with a number of interesting people too, simply from researching my characters and of course, having the chance to shoot with a group of veteran actor and actresses whom I look up to since I was little.” But it’s not all splendid and glamorous.
The entertainment business holds an unknown future in Hong Kong as new trends and new faces drive opportunities for growth in the media. While she reminiscences on spending her first payroll on her driving license, she is aware that a career in a fast-moving industry is indefinite but that doesn’t thwart her as she will only thrive in every project in her decades-long career.
Her Kind of Holiday
The perks of an actress? She is a verified globetrotter; be it for business or leisure, Jacquelin loves to breathe in a new environment. Although it has mostly been for business, she would never pause to extend her stay whenever possible, according to her.
“Bangkok is my top destination for a foodie trip. The city has so much to offer from shopping and of course, the nightlife.” Curious as to how a socialite picks her playground, I took a shot in asking her for some inside dope.
“When I’m in a foreign country, the first criteria is always a bar with views. Places like a rooftop bar let you drink more than liquor, you can also drink in the breathtaking night view. Secondly, bars with a specific theme–and good interior–is an added perk.”
Be in the know of nightlife around town, it was Jacquelin who suggested us–the Malaysians– to meet her at Miss Daisy, a new 4D bar in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng. The flower-scented club (yes, you heard that right) is laden with wall to ceiling flower arrangement inspired by a story about a broken-hearted girl who longs for beautiful carnivalesque space. Needless to say, Jacquelin has a good eye in locating up-and-coming places in the city.
Her next adventure will take her to Vietnam, along the beaches of Phu Quoc and tour of Ho Chi Minh City. And the three things she definitely can’t travel without–her handphone, sunglasses and range of skincare!
Text by Jessy Wong • Photos by Rick Cheah and Jacquelin Ch’ng
