Daniel Fong looks forward to more acting roles in the future. Photo: Jane Lee
In 2018, Daniel Fong – whose full name is Daniel Fong Weng Chuan – was finally ready to get serious about a career in showbiz and give up his full-time job in the corporate world.
For two years, the economics graduate had been working part-time appearing in commercials and local Chinese shows to earn extra cash.
However, when he was scouted to take part in China’s reality show Super Idol in 2018, Fong was sure about switching careers.
So, he quit his job and travelled to China for the boy band competition show.
From there, Fong signed a seven-year contract to work as an actor in China.
But, in 2020, the pandemic happened.
“I was thinking at the time, ‘Oh I can’t go back to China’. Even though I was contracted to work in China for acting, I couldn’t go back because of the Covid,” said Fong, who turns 30 in December.
“That was when I was approached by a production manager through Instagram... for a role in (RTM’s) Derhaka Cinta Jebat, which was my first Malay drama,” he recalled.
After taking the gig, Fong felt like there could be a market for him in local scene.
And he was right – acting job offers kept pouring in for the Kuala Lumpur-born hunk.
“I was booked throughout the whole of last year,” he said, beaming with pride.
Some of the local Chinese and Malay productions he has starred in since shifting his base to Malaysia include Mualaf Ekspress, Bella Bila Cinta Bersatu, Do You Love Me Captain, Imperfect, Lost And Found, Kamcing and Legenda Puteri Qaseh.
Last month, he nabbed his first leading role – starring opposite Ruhainies – in TV3’s 20-episode Malay serial Bintang, which ended its run on May 10.
The handsome actor lands his first leading role in a Malay drama in 'Bintang', co-starring Ruhainies. Photo: Handout
Next up, Fong is starring in the Astro Ria drama Hijrah Jannah that is set to premiere on June 5.
Although he admitted his grasp of the Malay language still needs work, Fong said that it has definitely improved since he started.
An only child, Fong shared that his family is very proud of him.
“I am the only person in my family to be in showbiz. I literally started everything on my own... through a lot of luck as well. A lot of luck.”
Malaysian actor Daniel Fong is always looking for ways to improve his acting skills. Photo: Jane Lee1. Would you say that the pandemic kind of helped your career?
I think the pandemic actually changed the path of my career.
I was supposed to reside in China at first and have a career there. At the same time, I felt very lost because I didn’t know anybody in China.
I didn’t know how I was going to get started in showbiz as I had to depend fully on my company.
Thankfully, I could build a career in Malaysia where I feel comfortable because my family is here.
2. How was it to take on your first lead role in a Malay drama with Bintang?
It’s more stressful in a way. Your day is more occupied because almost all the scenes centre around your character.
There was also an amount of stress on me because whether the show worked or not, it all came down to me.
But, at the same time, I would say that I improved a lot having worked on Bintang – from my acting to being more comfortable with doing dialogue in the Malay language.
Everyone on set was also very supportive; (co-star) Ruhainies and I always had each other’s back whenever we wanted to improve a scene, which was great.
One of the main reasons I was afraid of (taking on the role) was because of the language.
Like if you are in a supporting role, you can kind of fake it till you make it in some ways (laughs).
But when you’re the leading role, all the scenes are about you.
You get a lot more exposure as the lead, but you’re also highlighting your flaws. So that was one thing I was worried about.
3. What eventually convinced you to take on the challenge anyway?
It’s true that I was actually contemplating if I should say yes to the lead role in Bintang. I wasn’t sure if I was ready.
But just like how I approach all my other projects – my first ever drama, the boy band competition – I figured that I will never be ready.
You know, I just go in there and just do it. So, for Bintang, I did the same.
I did a lot of research beforehand; I watched many Malay dramas, some Japanese dramas and Thai dramas because my character (in Bintang) is Thai.
I also received a lot of help from Ruhainies, because she has more experience in Malay dramas – she knows what the audience like.
Daniel Fong says he loves travelling. Photo: Handout4. You mentioned a manager reached out to you through Instagram for an acting gig. How has social media helped you?
I started Instagram when I was dating in college; my ex-girlfriend told me that I should start Instagram, funnily enough.
But throughout 2017 and 2018, brands got more involved in social media where they would get content creators to post about their campaigns.
At that time, I picked up (being a content creator) as a job but it actually helped me a lot.
Not only does it pay well, there is a huge exposure.
Like I said, building social media awareness actually helped me to get the drama in the first place. And before that, too, I was approached for a reality show on Astro called Paskal 24 Jam because I was posting a lot about fitness at that time.
It was through this competition that I met (fellow actor) Idris Khan, who then introduced me to the agent who contacted me through social media for the RTM drama.
So, it’s all linked up. If I wasn’t on social media, I don’t think I would’ve gotten a chance to act in Malay dramas.
He always shares snippets of his holidays on social media. Photo: Jane Lee
5. One of the things that is prominent on your Instagram is travel. How did that love begin?
I am the only child in my family, so I always follow my family for holidays especially during Chinese New Year.
We don’t celebrate CNY here, we usually go for holidays.
The first country I went to was China, I was 11. Then I went to Europe, India, Egypt, Korea, the United States, many countries.
One of the most memorable trips was to Egypt because it’s very different. When we went there, it was actually winter. So, it was cold in the middle of the desert.
I learned about their culture and, of course, about the mummies. The pyramids were amazing.
My most recent trip was to Japan. It was my first trip (overseas) since the pandemic. It was around nine days and I went with my mum as I’m very close to her.
And it was memorable because we actually planned everything from scratch. Previously, we would just take tours.
Since we haven’t travelled for a while, we went all out. And I paid for most of the expenses because I am all grown up now and I can finally splurge on my mum.
We are thinking of going to Amsterdam next, to look at the tulips, or maybe even Taiwan.
Bintang can be streamed on tonton, while Hijrah Jannah will be available on Astro Ria (Ch 104) starting from June 5.
