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Chen Liping
Chen Liping
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Chen Liping (born Tan Lee Peng on 22 August 1965) is a Singaporean actress. Formerly with Mediacorp and Hype Records, Chen won three Best Actress Awards in the Star Awards awarded by Mediacorp.

Key Information

Career

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Chen began her acting career in 1985[2] with the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation after completing the drama training course. She is best known for her role as Shen Rong or "Miss Ai-Yo-Yo" (哎哟哟老师) in the Singapore Chinese drama series Good Morning, Sir!,[2] which earned her a "Most Unforgettable TV Character" Award in Star Awards 2003. Her character was also voted the most memorable character at MediaCorp Channel 8's 45th anniversary special in 2008 and the top 5 most memorable characters poll at the Star Awards 2007 anniversary special celebrating 25 years of Chinese language drama in Singapore.

In 2003, Chen won her first Best Actress Award for her role, Mo Wanwan in Holland V.[2] She won the Best Actress Award for the second time in Star Awards 2010 for her role as a thrifty housewife in Reunion Dinner.[3] In 2014, Chen won the Best Actress award once again for her role as Yao-Zhu Kangli, a successful career woman in the media industry facing marital issues in The Dream Makers.[2]

In 2017, she completed the drama Mightiest Mother-in-Law, followed by the long-form drama Life Less Ordinary.

In 2018, she appeared in Say Cheese along with Joanne Peh. She appeared in dialect drama How Are You and in 2019, appeared in long-form drama, Old is Gold along with Rui En, Xu Bin and Bonnie Loo.

In March 2023, Chen portrayed her first English drama role in the second season of Titoudao: Dawn Of New Stage, a televised drama adaptation of a stageplay with the same title.[4]

In January 2025, Chen announced she left Mediacorp but will continue in the industry.[2]

Personal life

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Chen attended Crescent Girls' School from 1978 to 1983. She married fellow actor Rayson Tan in 1998, and they have a son born in 2002.[5][6]

Filmography

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Television series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1985 Takeover
The Young Heroes
The Coffeeshop
1986 Men of Valour
The Bond
1987 I Do
1988 Silk and Satin
Airforce
Teahouse in Chinatown
Song of Youth
1989 Good Morning, Sir! Shen Rong / "Miss Ai-Yo-Yo" (哎哟哟老师) [2]
Splash to Victory [7]
1990 When Dawn Breaks
Sweet Dreams
The Winning Team
1991 Golden Shenton Way [8]
The Legend of a Beauty
1992 Fiery Passion
Duel La Shanghai
Love is in the Air
1993 Hidden Truths
Web of Deceit
1994 Dreams Come True
Twin Bliss
1995 The Rangers
Heartbeat
It's My World
1996 A Teacher's Diary
Three in One Love
1997 My Wife, Your Wife, Their Wives
1998 Riding by the Storm
My Teacher, Aiyoyo!
1999 Darling-In-Law
2001 The Stratagem Le Zining
Beyond the Axis of Truth Jiang Meiqi
The Hotel Pang Yuyun (Dodo)
2002 No Problem Bao Jinlian [9]
2003 Holland V Mo Wanwan [2]
2004 The Ties That Bind Ma Yujia
A Child's Hope II Zhang Huilian
2005 Baby Blues Chen Qiaohua
Zero to Hero Zhong Lizhi
2007 Happily Ever After Wangmu Niangniang
The Golden Path Xiao-gu
2008 Just in Singapore Nancy
2009 Reunion Dinner Ah Ping [2]
Your Hand In Mine Zhang Yuxiang
2010 Unriddle Lin Zhengyi
2012 Unriddle 2 Lin Zhengyi
Joys of Life Jin Yinjiao [10]
2013 It's A Wonderful Life Fan Wenxiang
The Dream Makers Yao-Zhu Kangli [2]
2014 Yes We Can! Liu Cailing
2015 A Blessed Life Ye Da
Good Luck Lin Xiaozhen
Life - Fear Not Lin Jiajia
2016 My First School Chen Xiujuan
Eat Already? Miss Chen Cameo
2017 Mightiest Mother-in-Law Liew Xiuzhu
Life Less Ordinary Chen Feng
2018 Say Cheese Hong Ziyi
2019 How Are You? Guo Meili
Dai Anna
Hello Miss Driver Li Yuzhu
Old Is Gold Elizabeth Pang
Old Is Gold: The Bliss Keeper Telemovie
2020 How Are You? 2 Dai Anna
Recipe of Life Qin Xihong
2023 Titoudao: Dawn Of New Stage Suan Jiah [4]
The Sky is Still Blue Hong Aixi [11]
2025 Emerald Hill - The Little Nyonya Story (小娘惹之翡翠山) Cai Zhu Niang/Ah Zhu [12]

Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1992 ABC English for Children (VOL 1) Teacher
1993 ABC English for Children : Telling Time (VOL 2)
1994 ABC English for Children : Let's Learn About (VOL 3)
1994–1997 Television Corporation of Singapore
1995 ABC English for Children : Let's Learn About (VOL 4) Teacher
1996 ABC English for Children : Let's Learn About (VOL 5)
1997 ABC English for Children : Let's Learn About (VOL 6)
2004 The Best Bet Richard's wife
2011 The Ultimate Winner Staff Sergeant

Awards and nominations

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Year Ceremony Category Nominated work Result Ref
1994 Star Awards Top 5 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won
1995 Star Awards Best Actress Heartbeat (as Jiang Tong) Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won
1996 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won
1997 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won [13]
1998 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won
1999 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won
2000 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won
2001 Star Awards Best Actress Beyond the Axis of Truth (as Jiang Meiqi) Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Nominated
2002 Star Awards Best Actress No Problem (as Bao Jinliao) Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won
2003 Star Awards Best Actress Holland V (as Mo Wanwan) Won [2]
Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Nominated [14]
2004 Star Awards Best Supporting Actress A Child's Hope II (as Zhang Huilian) Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won
2005 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes N/a Won
2006 Star Awards All-Time Favourite Artiste N/a Won
2009 Star Awards Best Actress Just in Singapore (as Nancy) Nominated
The Golden Path (as Xiao Gu) Nominated
2010 Star Awards Best Actress Reunion Dinner (as Ping) Won [2]
2011 Star Awards Best Actress Unriddle (as Lin Zhengyi) Nominated
2014 Star Awards Best Actress The Dream Makers (as Yao-Zhu Kangli) Won [2]
Most Popular Regional Artiste (China) N/a Nominated [15]
Most Popular Regional Artiste (Indonesia) N/a Nominated
Most Popular Regional Artiste (Malaysia) N/a Nominated
2015 Star Awards Most Popular Regional Artiste (China) N/a Nominated
Most Popular Regional Artiste (Indonesia) N/a Nominated
Most Popular Regional Artiste (Malaysia) N/a Nominated
Most Popular Regional Artiste (Cambodia) N/a Nominated
2017 Star Awards Best Speech Award N/a Nominated
2018 Star Awards Best Actress Mightiest Mother-In-Law (as Liew Xiuzhu) Nominated
Best Theme Song Life Less Ordinary Nominated
2021 Star Awards Best Actress How Are You? (as Dai Anna) Nominated
2022 Star Awards Perfect Combo (with Kym Ng) HDB Tai Tai 4.0 Nominated [16]
2024 Star Awards Best Supporting Actress The Sky Is Still Blue (as Hong Aixi) Nominated [17]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Chen Liping (born Tan Lee Peng; 22 August 1965) is a Singaporean renowned for her extensive career in television drama, spanning over four decades primarily with , where she portrayed memorable characters and earned multiple accolades for her versatile performances. Best known for her iconic role as the enthusiastic village teacher Shen Rong in the school series Good Morning, Sir! (1989), which popularized her "Aiyoyo," Chen debuted on screen in 1985 following a drama training course with the then-Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. Throughout her tenure at , Chen starred in a wide array of genres, from family-oriented dramas like Holland V (2003), for which she won her first award at the , to period pieces and modern stories such as (2009) and The Dream Makers (2013), securing additional honors in 2010 and 2014, respectively, at the same awards. Her affable on-screen presence and ability to embody relatable, warm-hearted roles made her a household name in Singaporean television, contributing to series that often explored themes of family, community, and personal growth. In January 2025, after 40 years as a contracted artiste under Mediacorp's talent management arm, The Celebrity Agency, Chen announced her departure, describing it as both a "graduation" and a "new beginning" in her career. She has since transitioned to independent work under Hype Records, including starring in Emerald Hill (2025) and co-founding Reborn Glam in March 2025 for digital content production, while continuing to take on select projects. On a personal note, Chen has been married to fellow actor since 1998, with whom she shares one child, and the couple has occasionally collaborated professionally, balancing their high-profile careers with family life.

Early life

Birth and family background

Chen Liping was born Tan Lee Peng on 22 August 1965 in . Of Singaporean Chinese heritage, she grew up in a close-knit family with limited public details on her immediate relatives, though she has spoken of her mother, grandmother, and cousins playing key roles in her early years. Her early childhood unfolded in post-independence during the and , a period of rapid nation-building and multicultural vibrancy, where she lived near Koek Road until age 13 and frequently visited her grandmother's house for family bonding over television programs like and parades. These years included fond outings with her mother and grandmother to amusement parks such as Great World, , and Gay World, where they enjoyed Teochew opera performances and arcade games amid the era's emerging entertainment scene of community gatherings and simple joys like dim sum queues and neighborhood walks around areas like Emerald Hill.

Education

Chen Liping attended River Valley Primary School during the 1970s, after which she would walk daily to the nearby Emerald Hill area. She later attended Crescent Girls' School, a prominent government secondary school for girls in , from 1978 to 1983. During her time there, she completed her GCE O-level examinations in 1981, marking the end of her formal . The academic environment at Crescent Girls' School in the late and early emphasized a structured focused on core subjects, with an emphasis on and holistic development typical of Singapore's system during that era. While specific details on her involvement in or activities at school are not documented, her secondary years laid the foundation for her subsequent entry into the entertainment industry.

Career

Entry into the industry

Chen Liping entered the acting profession in 1985 after completing a drama training course offered by the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), the predecessor to . This program, which she undertook alongside notable peers such as , provided foundational skills in performance and equipped her for professional opportunities in local television. That same year, she made her acting debut, beginning with minor roles in SBC television series, including a part in the drama . These early appearances allowed her to gain practical experience in front of the camera, focusing on supporting characters that honed her versatility in dramatic and everyday scenarios broadcast on Channel 8. Soon after her debut, Chen joined the Pingfong Acting Troupe at the invitation of director Hugh Lee, marking an early expansion of her professional affiliations within Singapore's media landscape. Through this troupe and her ongoing ties to SBC/, she took on initial hosting gigs for children's programs, such as Dr. Cool alongside Timothy Chao, which helped cultivate her engaging and approachable on-screen persona characterized by warmth and relatability.

Rise to fame and notable roles

Chen Liping's breakthrough came with her portrayal of the enthusiastic and clumsy teacher Shen Rong, affectionately known as "Miss Ai-Yo-Yo," in the 1989 drama Good Morning, Sir!. The series, set in a fishing village school, showcased her natural comedic timing and endearing bubbly personality, quickly becoming a hit among Singaporean viewers and propelling her to stardom. Her character's frequent exclamation of "ai yoyo" upon mishaps not only defined the role but also led to lasting nicknames like "Aiyoyo Teacher" and "Chubby," reflecting her relatable, approachable charm that resonated widely. Building on this success, Chen delivered several iconic performances that solidified her status as a versatile actress during the and . In the 2003 family drama Holland V, she played Mo Wanwan, the caring eldest sister famed for her homemade , embodying a humorous yet nurturing figure central to the show's portrayal of Peranakan family life. Later, in the 2009 series , her role as Ah Ping, a thrifty and resilient housewife juggling family demands, highlighted her ability to convey everyday struggles with warmth and authenticity, making the character a symbol of the modern Singaporean matriarch. These roles exemplified her knack for relatable, light-hearted maternal archetypes that endeared her to audiences across generations. By the early 2010s, Chen's career peaked with more complex characters, such as Yao-Zhu Kangli in The Dream Makers (2013–2014), where she portrayed a driven senior vice president in the television industry, blending professional ambition with personal family dynamics. Over the decades from the to the , she appeared in over 50 drama series, often as humorous yet grounded maternal or sisterly figures whose portrayals captured the essence of Singaporean and everyday humor, leaving a profound impact on local viewers.

Later career and Mediacorp departure

In the later stages of her career, Chen Liping continued to take on diverse roles in dramas, showcasing her versatility amid evolving industry demands. Following the , she appeared in series such as The Sky Is Still Blue (2023), where she portrayed the character Hong Aixi, a resilient figure navigating dynamics and personal growth. Her involvement in these post-2020 productions highlighted her sustained presence in local television, often playing maternal or authoritative roles that drew on her established reputation for emotional depth. A notable milestone came in 2023 with her first English-language role in , the second season of the popular series about a street performer. In this bilingual drama, Chen played a supporting character in the troupe, marking a departure from her primarily Mandarin-language work and opening new avenues in her 38-year career at the time. She expressed that the role required significant effort, including language preparation, and hoped it would lead to further opportunities in English productions. Chen's later projects also included the highly anticipated spinoff Emerald Hill: The Little Nyonya Story (2025), a prequel to the iconic The Little Nyonya series, where she portrayed Cai Zhu Niang (Ah Zhu), a complex character involved in the story's historical and cultural narratives set in early 20th-century Singapore. The series, which premiered on Mediacorp's Channel 8 and streaming platforms, received attention for its star-studded cast and exploration of Peranakan heritage, with Chen's performance earning praise for its authenticity and emotional range. On January 3, 2025, Chen announced her departure from 's arm, The Celebrity Agency, after 40 years with the broadcaster, transitioning to freelance work to pursue more flexible projects. At age 60, she reflected on her career longevity in an post, describing the move as "both a and a new beginning," expressing gratitude for the opportunities that shaped her from a in 1985 to a . acknowledged her contributions, noting her role in over 100 productions and her influence on generations of performers. Despite leaving the agency, Chen affirmed her intention to remain active in the industry on a project-by-project basis.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Chen Liping married fellow actor in 1998 after meeting on the set of the drama series Golden Shenton Way in 1991. The couple, both prominent figures in Singapore's entertainment industry, opted for a low-key , limiting announcements to close circles to maintain privacy amid their rising careers. Their son, Zavier Tan, was born in 2002, marking a significant milestone in their family life. As parents in the demanding acting profession, Chen and Tan have navigated the challenges of balancing high-profile schedules with raising their only child, who has maintained a low public profile and pursued undergraduate studies overseas since around 2022. Chen has shared that Zavier prefers to avoid the spotlight, focusing instead on his education without leveraging his parents' fame. In their family dynamics, Chen and Tan have provided mutual support within the entertainment industry, including professional collaborations such as co-starring in the 2010 drama Life's Blessings and co-founding the artiste management company Reborn Glam in March 2025 to advance their joint ventures. This partnership extends their family bond into shared career endeavors, allowing them to sustain long-term involvement in the field while prioritizing home life.

Religion and public persona

Chen Liping converted to on 9 August 2008, shortly after her husband Rayson Tan's acceptance of Christ in June of that year, marking a pivotal shift in her as the family transitioned from superstitious practices to a shared faith. This conversion fostered greater unity within her household, with her son following suit on 25 October 2008 during Tan's , and extended to her elderly mother and mother-in-law, emphasizing faith's role in overcoming past beliefs and strengthening . Together, the couple publicly shared their testimonies at events like the 2009 Miracle Breakthrough services, highlighting how brought freedom from superstitions and renewed purpose to their lives. Throughout her career, Chen cultivated an affable and relatable public persona that endeared her to Singaporean audiences, often amplified by endearing nicknames such as "Miss Ai-Yo-Yo," derived from her iconic catchphrase in the 1989 drama Good Morning, Sir!, and "Chubby," reflecting her approachable, down-to-earth image. This persona was further shaped by quirky personal traits, including a well-documented of wedding gowns; in 2015, while donning one for a television appearance 17 years into her marriage, she experienced headaches and stomach discomfort, openly sharing the anecdote to connect with fans on a human level. Her witty hosting in variety shows like HDB and My Star Guide reinforced this image, earning praise for her natural charm and ability to engage viewers with humor and warmth. As a beloved figure in Singaporean media, Chen's public image revolves around her role as an accessible entertainer who brings joy through comedic portrayals and interactive formats, fostering a strong connection that has spanned decades and solidified her status as a national favorite. Fans often perceive her as the quintessential "girl-next-door," with her lighthearted quirks and consistent positivity contributing to a legacy of relatability in local television.

Filmography

Television series

Chen Liping debuted on television in 1985 and has appeared in over 50 Chinese-language drama series through 2025, often portraying strong, relatable female characters in family-oriented and period stories. The following table lists selected series chronologically, highlighting key roles where documented.
YearTitleRoleBrief Descriptor
1985人在旅途 (Traveler in Journey)-Time traveler's companion
1989Good Morning, Sir! (早安老师!)Shen RongEccentric teacher
1991一代天骄 (A Generation of Pride)-Warrior's ally
1992Love is in the Air-Village romantic
1994Web of Deceit-Plot intriguer
1994Twin Bliss-Sibling supporter
1998The Return of the Condor Heroes- figure
2001Beyond the Axis of TruthJiang Mei QiTruth seeker
2001The Teardrop Story-Family matriarch
2003Holland VMo Wanwan seller
2005Portrait of Home-Home protector
2007The Golden Path-Path follower
2008Just in -HDB resident
2009Your Hand in Mine-Relationship nurturer
2010UnriddleLin ZhengyiCase solver
2011The Ultimate Winner
2011Joys of LifeJin YinjiaoStingy wife
2012Unriddle 2Lin Zhengyi investigator
2013The Dream Makers-Dream supporter
2013-Family secret keeper
2014Yes We Can!Liu CailingTrade advocate
2015-Family supporter
2015The Dream Makers II-Aspiration guide
2016Eat Already?-Widow matriarch
2017Mightiest Mother-in-Law-Power struggler
2018Say Cheese-Studio relation
2019How Are You?-Self-discoverer
2020Recipe of Life-Culinary family head
2023The Sky is Still Blue-Blue sky observer
2023Suan JiahTroupe leader
2025Emerald HillAh ZhuCon artist

Films

Chen Liping's contributions to Singaporean cinema are limited compared to her extensive television career, with only a handful of appearances spanning supporting and cameo roles. These roles often drew on her established on-screen persona as a relatable, everyday character, typically in comedic or dramatic contexts within productions. Her notable include:
YearTitleRoleNotes
1999Liang Po Po: The MovieTeacher in this directed by Teng Bee Lian.
2004The Best BetRichard's WifeSupporting role in Jack Neo's satirical about lottery winners and greed.

Awards and nominations

Star Awards

Chen Liping has achieved significant recognition at the Star Awards, Mediacorp's premier annual event celebrating excellence in Chinese-language television programming. She secured the Best Actress award three times, first in 2003 for her portrayal of the resilient Mo Wanwan in Holland V, which showcased her ability to embody multifaceted family matriarchs. Her second win came in 2010 for the role of a resourceful housewife in Reunion Dinner, highlighting her skill in depicting everyday struggles with emotional authenticity. In 2014, she claimed her third Best Actress honor for playing a determined television producer in The Dream Makers, a performance that underscored her range in professional and personal narratives. She was also a perennial contender in popularity categories, earning the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste award 10 times between 1994 and 2005, which reflected her broad appeal and sustained fan base during the early years of her stardom. Following these wins, she received the All-Time Favourite Artiste award in 2006.

Other accolades

Chen Liping received widespread media and fan recognition upon announcing her departure from 's The Celebrity Agency in January 2025, marking the end of her 40-year tenure with the broadcaster. described her as an "integral part of the family" whose contributions had touched generations of audiences, while outlets like and CNA Lifestyle highlighted her status as a household name and veteran actress whose versatile roles defined Singaporean television. In April 2025, her portrayal of the cunning Ah Zhu in the series Emerald Hill garnered significant praise from netizens and critics, with viewers on platforms expressing being "captivated" by her nuanced performance and the emotional depth she brought to the character. 8days.sg named her one of the "MVPs" of the series, commending her ability to embody a complex, morally ambiguous figure who balances street smarts with maternal instinct. Chen herself noted feeling "deeply touched" by the positive feedback, which underscored her enduring impact on audiences even post-departure. Beyond formal ceremonies, Chen has been featured in prominent lifestyle publications for her career longevity and public persona, such as Her World's 2023 profile that celebrated her as an iconic figure known for her "Aiyoyo" and resilient on-screen characters. These mentions reflect her broader cultural influence in Singaporean , often positioning her alongside other enduring stars in retrospective lists of influential actresses.

References

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