In the entertainment industry for half of her life, 30-year-old Rainie Yang (楊丞琳) feels it is time for a major overhaul of her image and life direction. She expressed, “Now that I’m entering my thirties, I have a greater sense of self-awareness. My reflection has taught me that it’s time to change! I still love my job, but I need to learn to stop and smell the roses. I don’t want to keep missing out on other aspects of life apart from work. That is what I hope for myself.” Rainie added, “I used to work so hard, but now I want more time for myself. I want to have a better quality of life.” Rainie has not stopped working since her debut as a member of the girl band, 4 in Love, when she was only 15 years old. Despite being a veteran of the showbiz world, she has not shed her inherently shy and reserved nature. This used to earn her the ire of the media, who often criticized her for looking aloof and unfriendly. Through sheer hard work and determination, Rainie has become better at calming her nerves and appearing more natural in public. The problem with entering the industry at a young is that the cutesy image is difficult to dispose, even as the celebrity ages and matures. Rainie found herself facing this very predicament, whether it was in hosting, acting or singing. She said, “I want to prove that I’m no longer as frivolous as my earlier image used to suggest. No matter what field I’m in, I want to be taken seriously. I know it’ll take a lot of time, especially for the audience to get used to my ‘serious’ self.” Rainie concluded, “I don’t regret putting myself out there and constantly being in the spotlight. Being in the entertainment industry was my passion and still is. I just want to slow down, perhaps take on fewer projects, and take some time out for myself.” Creds: Chinaeyes