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SINGAPORE : The mad scramble is over! MediaCorp actress Eelyn Kok will be taking over Fiona Xie’s role in the Channel 8 year-end blockbuster drama, “Together”.
It was only a day ago when news broke that Xie had suddenly pulled out of the drama for “personal reasons”, leaving even some of her colleagues and now ex-cast mates stumped.
Informed of Xie’s withdrawal last week, the show’s production team have reportedly been conducting several screen tests for many actresses both from and outside of MediaCorp.
Xie was to play the second lead role of Huang Jin Hao, a materialistic girl who vies with Yao Liu Hong (Jeannette Aw) for the affections of Xiao Bei (Dai Yang Tian).
It wasn’t until after a last minute screen test on Wednesday that producers of the show decided to hand the role to Kok.
“At this point, it doesn’t matter whether an actress fits the role or not, it’s not important anymore. What’s important is that Eelyn also hopes to have a breakthrough [from her previous characters], we think that she’ll be able give the character a different quality,” said the show’s producer Xie Ming Yang.
When informed of the results of the screen test on Wednesday, Kok immediately rushed home with the script to familiarise herself with the lines.
Even though Kok has played the antagonist many times in the past, filling the second lead role of what’s touted to be Channel 8’s next blockbuster drama comes with its pressure, especially since filming has officially begun.
“The pressure is high, the producers wanted me to perform three scenes already yesterday at my screen test, [one of the scenes] required me to be a real villain, intimidating Jeanette’s character to retreat and give up on Dai Yang Tian,” said Kok, who’s only acting in her second lead role of her seven-year career.
While the 30-year-old may be feeling the pressure taking over from Xie, Kok sure isn’t concerned about being a few years older than the male leads or even filling Xie’s shoes or outfits - literally.
“Her figure is better than mine, this outfit has been worn by Fiona before... it’s a bit loose, but I think I have a proportionate figure,” said Kok laughingly.
When asked if she is okay with being a substitute, Kok said, “I don't mind. In fact, I think I am very lucky. I just want to concentrate on acting well, there’s no time to think about other things.”
- CNA/os
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