Jason Chan's Goal to Make His Name as Actor and Host

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In the last six years, Jason Chan (陳智燊) has made a huge leap from hosting small television documentaries to leading an entire TVB drama. In 2011, Jason’s popularity surged after starring in the sitcom, Be Home for Dinner <誰家灶頭無煙火>. In 2012, Jason was cast in another major role for the comedy No Good Either Way <衝呀！瘦薪兵團>. With increased notability, Jason won his first lead role for the upcoming Blissful Ferris Wheel <幸福摩天輪>, starring opposite Linda Chung (鍾嘉欣). While Jason enjoys acting, he hopes to return to hosting in the future. Choosing Amigo Choi (崔建邦) as his target, Jason wishes to make a name in both acting and hosting.

Thirty-four-year-old Jason Chan currently stars in No Good Either Way as “Aaron,” the boyfriend of Natalie Tong’s (唐詩詠) character, “Kin.” Thinking back to the first day of filming his kissing scene with Natalie, Jason thanked Natalie for taking care of him. “When it comes to acting, Natalie is my senior. She is really attentive and knows how to take care of others. To help lessen my anxiety, she will practice scenes with me before the camera rolls.”

However, it was not their kissing scene that was most memorable to Jason. “The slapping scene was most unforgettable. We spent all day filming, so I started to feel a little dull by the time we had to do the night scenes. I felt much more awake after Natalie slapped me!”

Lied to His Family to Enter TVB

British-born Jason, who holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of London, is the second of four sons. Unsatisfied with his life as a manager in a hospital, Jason decided to move to Hong Kong to pursue a career of stardom. Lying to his parents that he was going for a business trip, Jason bought a one-way ticket to Hong Kong and signed up for TVB’s artist training class. “When TVB sent me their acceptance notice, I was so happy that I immediately went to call my mom, but she sounded really disappointed. I understand my family’s worry; the entertainment circle is a really complicated one. Luckily I have achieved some accomplishments so I have something to talk about with my family.”

Making His Name as Actor and Host

Marketed as the “second Moses Chan,” Jason is currently filming Blissful Ferris Wheel, starring opposite Linda Chung. When asked if Jason preferred acting or hosting, he said, “I actually like both. I do not feel too much pressure as a host because the script is already there prepared for you. But I have a hate-love relationship with acting. There are many times when we would have rewritten scripts, so it takes more effort to prepare. However, in the world of acting I am able to portray different characters and that gives me a satisfying feeling.”

Jason remarked that while hosting is much easier than acting, live shows were one of the most difficult hosting jobs to do. “When I first got in the business, I hosted TVB entertainment news. My Cantonese wasn’t good; when we’re on air, my hands would start sweating like crazy. After the show was done, I would feel frustrated.”

Despite these setbacks, Jason was very satisfied with his current work arrangements. His appearance in television dramas has gotten many people to recognize him. “Before, people only knew me by my English name. Now people on the streets are calling me by my Chinese name. It makes me ecstatic!”

With Jason’s acting career finally reaching to a new level, Jason still expressed his interest in returning to hosting. Jason admires Amigo Choi’s hosting abilities and chose him as his target, expressing his desire to excel in both acting and hosting.


Creds: ihktv