Zen Chong

Zen Chong (born Chong Cheng Xiong; 15 August 1978), formerly known as Zzen Chong, is a Malaysian actor and property agent who is based in Singapore.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Chong.
Zen Chong
Born
Chong Cheng Xiong

(1978-08-15) 15 August 1978
Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Other names
  • Zhang Zhengxiang
  • Zhang Zengxiang
  • Zhang Zhenxiang
Occupations
  • Actor
  • property agent
Years active2001–present
Spouse
Geline See
​
(m. 2011)​
Children2
Current stage name
Simplified Chinese章证翔
Traditional Chinese章證翔
Hanyu PinyinZhāng Zhèngxiáng
Birth name
Simplified Chinese章增祥[1]
Traditional Chinese章增祥
Hanyu PinyinZhāng Zēngxiáng
Former stage name
Simplified Chinese章缜翔
Traditional Chinese章縝翔
Hanyu PinyinZhang Zhěnxiáng

Early life

A native of the "New Villages" in Kuala Lumpur, Chong studied graphic design and worked at an advertising agency prior to joining Star Search Malaysia.[2]

Career

Chong joined MediaCorp in 2001 after finishing third in that year's Malaysian edition of Star Search Singapore.[3] One of his first major roles was in the 2003 sitcom Lobang King where he was cast alongside veteran artistes Chew Chor Meng, Huang Wenyong and Irene Ang as the smooth-talking employee of Huang's character.

Chong is known for portraying juvenile "ah beng" characters, antiheroes and villains. He shot to fame for his role as the main antagonist in the hit period drama The Little Nyonya.[4] Although initially a replacement for Andrew Seow, he was praised for his convincing portrayal of antagonist Robert Zhang and won a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2009 Star Awards, his first ever awards nomination.[5] He was given his first lead role in the 2008 co-production The Thin Line.

Personal life

He married his long-time girlfriend Geline See in January 2011.[6] Chong and his wife have a daughter and a son.[7]

In 2012, it was revealed during the release of The Quarters that Chong changed a character in his Chinese name after consulting with a fortune teller. His English name was changed as well, from Zzen Chong to Zen Chong. He has also converted to part-time acting and since become a full-time property agent.[8]

Filmography

Television series
YearTitleRoleNotesRef
2002The VagrantZhang Disheng
Kopi-O IIHong Fuxing
2003Lobang KingHong Daji
True HeroesWang Wei
Baby BoomJames
Beautiful TrioColin
Home in Toa PayohDino
2004An Ode to LifeZhang Ruixiang
2005Zero to HeroPing
Beyond the aXis of Truth IIWoody
Love ConciergeRuan Yawan
2006The Shining StarAh Pao
Women of TimesBruce
Love at 0°CVictor
2007Switched!Jiang Zhiheng
Fallen AngelChen Xuewen
2008Where the Heart IsHong Jiajun
Rhythm of LifeWang Tianbao
The Thin LineChen Tianyou
The Little NyonyaRobert Zhang [9]
Zhang Zuye
2009My Kampong DaysQiao Junwei
2010Priceless WonderLi Caishun
UnriddleYu Zhenbang
InjusticeLin Shunyuan
2011Be HappyKen See
Dark SunsetQiu Jiawei
2012Yours FatefullyHong Zhiguo
The QuartersLuo Hanguo [8]
Poetic JusticeEugene
Game PlanLi Ziguang
2013It's a Wonderful LifeLi Siyuan
SuddenZhang Hongxing
2014C.L.I.F. 3Ding Youpeng
2015CrescendoZhang Shixin
2016House of FortuneHenry
The QueenChen Zijian
Soul Reaper (勾魂使者)Eddy
118 IIQiu Jianguo
2018118 Reunion (118 大团圆)
Eat Already? 4Weijie
Say CheesePan Zemin
Magic Chef (料理人生)Kenneth
2019After the Stars (攻星计)
2021CTRLHe Shaoguang
2022Dark Angel (黑天使)
2023Fix My Life
All That GlittersRoy
Stranger in the Dark (熟悉的陌生人)[10]

Variety shows
YearTitleNotes
2002King of Variety
2006Battle of the Best
2009Stars for a Cause
2010Let's Party With Food! VIIGuest appearance
2022A Night Under the StarsGuest appearance
2023The ReunionGuest appearance

Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult Ref
2009Star AwardsBest Supporting ActorThe Little Nyonya (as Robert Zhang)Nominated [9]
2011Star Awards Best Supporting ActorUnriddle (as Yu Zhenbang)Nominated

References
  1. "艺人改名就改运？信不信由你！_wkh73_新浪博客". blog.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  2. 不回家铁链绑上车 章缜翔越鞭越皮 (in Chinese). Nanyang Siang Pau. 29 November 2011. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  3. "Talented wannabes". New Straits Times. 8 June 2001.
  4. "Zzen and the Art of Acting". Channel News Asia. 8 February 2010. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013.
  5. "Andrew Seow helps HIV-positive friend". AsiaOne. 17 July 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  6. "Zzen Zhang's 'messy' wedding". Channel News Asia. 19 January 2011.
  7. "'He scolded me and beat me quite often': Zen Chong lacked father's love in childhood, now tries to be different for own kids". AsiaOne. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  8. "梁丽芳章缜翔"隐姓埋名"改运途" (in Chinese). Lianhe Zaobao. 24 August 2012. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012.
  9. "Zen Chong Says People Still Call Him The Little Nyonya's Robert Zhang, 15 Years After The Show Aired". 8days. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  10. 潘, 雪忆 (22 September 2023). "《熟悉的陌生人》大胆起用新脸孔 萧歆霓、王硕瀚、卓芳娴首挑大梁". 8world Entertainment Lifestyle (in Chinese (Singapore)). Retrieved 22 September 2023.
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