My Perfect Weekend with actor James Seah

Who: Singaporean actor James Seah, 35, was a finalist on talent show Star Search in 2010. He has since appeared in more than 30 drama series, such as Tanglin (2015) on Channel 5, The Heartland Hero (2021 to 2022) on Channel 8, as well as online series Trendsetters (2018). He won the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes prize at the Star Awards in 2024.

Most recently, the Mediacorp artiste starred as a recently deceased heir who becomes a playful, happy-go-lucky soul in the underworld in fantasy drama Perfectly Imperfect. It aired on Channel 8 in August and September, and is available on demand on mewatch.

He is married to local influencer Nicole Chang Min, 33. The couple do not have children.

“In June, I had a wonderful weekend at Amatara Welleisure Resort in Phuket, Thailand, in between film shoots. I chanced on it while scrolling on TikTok and it looked so beautiful and restful. As I was tired from work, I did not want to plan an itinerary. So I booked a four-day, three-night stay for my wife and myself, and we had the most relaxing time.

I signed up for a three-night Amatara active retreat programme, which included a 30-minute fitness assessment and two 50-minute personal training sessions. My trainer, who was Thai, left a strong impression because although he had a burly stature, he was soft-spoken and would repeatedly ask if I was all right during the workout. I felt this incongruence was ‘cute’.

The fitness centre had a beautiful view of the Andaman Sea, so working out there felt special.

My package included three massages – deep tissue, Thai and one branded as Signature of Amatara – each 90 minutes long. The female massage therapists were experienced and could tell that my lower back was very sore and tight. One explained I did not have enough muscles in that area, which was why I could feel a strain there.

Their massages hit the spot and a massage therapist even cracked my back in a good way. I heard one of my hips ‘pop’ and felt relaxed afterwards.

Foodwise, I had a plant-based protein smoothie every day, as well as ‘healthy wellness cuisine’ at the resort’s restaurants.

For one meal, I ordered a dish of barbecued prawns, carrots and broccoli, while my wife chose the chicken breast, paired with yellow squash, tomatoes and beans. For dessert, we had cheesecake with pieces of mango and walnut, drizzled with chocolate sauce. I enjoyed that meal and felt it was light and clean.

We stayed in a 150 sq m bay-view pool villa, with a sundeck area and private outdoor pool. It also had an oversized bathroom with a round bathtub. 

At sunset, the place felt so calm and peaceful. It was the perfect place to chill and unwind. Although it cost about $2,500 for both of us, it was worth it.”