My Perfect Weekend with actor and artist Chen Xi
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Chen Xi makes time to reflect after reading and enjoys sketching in his free time over the weekends.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CHEN XI
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Who: Singaporean actor and artist Chen Xi, 34, is the son of celebrity couple Edmund Chen, 64, and Xiang Yun, 63. He has a younger sister, 25-year-old actress Chen Yixin.
Chen Xi’s acting credits include Mediacorp series such as Fix My Life (2023), Soul Doctor (2022) and Nightwatchers (2021). He was nominated in the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes category at the 2021 and 2023 Star Awards.
He took a break from acting when he pursued a year-long arts and cultural management master’s course at King’s College London. He graduated in January before returning to Singapore for good.
On July 14, Chen married his 33-year-old Japanese girlfriend, who is known only as Mami. The couple will hold a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony in her home town of Kyushu.
He is currently partnering local energy company Geneco on its Lost To Be Found mental health and wellness initiative, through six black-and-white illustrations and an infinite-loop video journey. The exhibition, at wellness centre Grovve at youth space *Scape, runs till Sept 30.
Chen Xi currently partners local energy company Geneco on its Lost To Be Found mental health and wellness initiative.
PHOTO: GENECO
“A perfect weekend for me is about balance. I see it in three parts: time with family, time for self-interest and time for introspection. I usually start or end the day sharing a meal with my family, where we will catch up on the week.
My comfort meal is simple: two soft-boiled eggs and kopi. I missed it terribly while I was in Britain, so now it feels extra special, especially when I share it with my dad. At around 1pm, I like to make myself a decaf oat latte, a skill I picked up while working at cafes in Britain.
On weekends, I often teach urban sketching and watercolour at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, usually in the morning or early afternoon before it gets too hot. After class, I spend time creating content or sketching, often blending the two so it is fun and efficient. I also try to sketch for myself to keep my creative flame burning.
Chen Xi enjoys sketching in his free time over the weekends.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHEN XI
Later in the day, I hang out with my wife or family, and if time allows, I squeeze in a quick workout. Evenings are for winding down, either with a book, some light gaming or resting. Lately, I have also been catching up with my online friends. We have been trying to play badminton together, though I have discovered that booking a court in Singapore is a sport in itself.
One of the most memorable weekends I had was a glamping trip with my wife in the outskirts of London. It was quiet, rural and simple – the kind of city detox I did not know I needed. Making a fire as the daylight turned into the golden hour is one of those snapshots I will always carry with me.”
