My Perfect Weekend with actor Nick Shen
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Singapore actor Nick Shen at The Drum Tower in Beijing.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NICK SHEN
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Who: Singapore actor and Chinese opera practitioner Nick Shen stars in local mahjong-themed film Luck My Life, which will be released during Chinese New Year in 2026.
The 49-year-old is also the founder of opera companies Tok Tok Chiang Event and Tok Tok Chiang Opera. He was one of the 53 entrepreneurs in Singapore recognised for their innovations and community spirit at the Spirit of Enterprise Awards 2025 on Oct 27. The annual event is held by non-profit organisation Spirit of Enterprise.
Singapore actor Nick Shen received the Spirit of Enterprise Award 2025 as founder of opera companies Tok Tok Chiang Event and Tok Tok Chiang Opera.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NICK SHEN
In recent years, the bachelor also made the news for being an advocate for shingles awareness, after contracting the viral infection in 2023. He also has eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis and leads a healthy lifestyle to limit the impact of the skin conditions.
His work in promoting Chinese opera and shingles awareness led to him winning the Asia Social Impact Influencer Award at a regional ceremony held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, in early 2025.
Shen recently cast a spotlight on the late veteran local actress Chen Meiguang, who died at the age of 87 in November 2020. In 2011, he played her son in the short film Filial Haven, produced by local director Shawn Tan.
It was submitted to various film festivals over the years, and in December 2020, it won three prizes – Best Producer, Best Actor and Best Actress – at the inaugural China-Asean Art & Culture Week in Nanning, a city in Guangxi, China.
In November, to mark Chen’s fifth death anniversary, Shen and Tan presented the long-overdue Best Actress certificate to her family. Shen says they realised the oversight only when going through their archives in early 2025.
“For me, the best way to relax and unwind is to catch up with friends and chill at a dessert place in town or Chinatown, or spend time with my family.
I especially enjoy playing with my younger brother’s children – my six-year-old nephew and four-year-old niece. I am very close to them. We either play games or I read to them in English and Mandarin.
My sister-in-law is a great cook who makes delicious Korean and Chinese dishes, as her parents are from South Korea and China.
Singapore actor Nick Shen (third from left) with his (from left) brother, niece, nephew, father and sister-in-law.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NICK SHEN
My dad fell a few times in 2025 and now uses a wheelchair, so we try to make time for family gatherings once or twice a month.
My work keeps me busy and I often have to work on weekends, but I still hope to spend more time travelling. I try to squeeze in a short trip whenever my schedule allows.
Earlier in 2025, I went to Beijing for a holiday with my manager to explore Chinese culture.
We spent eight days there and visited landmarks such as the Great Wall of China (in particular the section called Mutianyu) and the Palace Museum in the Forbidden City, as well as areas like Shichahai, Nanluoguxiang and Qianmen.
At the Forbidden City, I dressed up in several period drama costumes. I would love to spend more time in China and hopefully get some projects there. It can be cultural, it can be Chinese opera or a documentary.
Singapore actor Nick Shen at The Forbidden City in Beijing.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NICK SHEN
Eight days was not enough to explore the entire place. When I was at the Great Wall, I managed to spend only about one hour. So I feel with more time, say a two- to three-week break, then I can explore more interesting and beautiful places.
I hope to return to Beijing or other parts of China such as Suzhou and Yunnan soon. That would be perfect for me, especially if I could travel with my whole family and relatives.”
