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Guo Liang (actor)
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Guo Liang (born 11 November 1968) is a Chinese-born Singaporean actor, television host and radio deejay.
Key Information
Career
[edit]Guo graduated from the Shanghai Drama Institute and moved to Singapore during the 1990s to join the Television Corporation of Singapore (predecessor of MediaCorp). He joined TCS in 1994.[1] He joined SPH MediaWorks in late 2000[2] but returned to MediaCorp in 2005 when the two companies merged. Although trained as an actor, he is mostly known in Singapore as television host of several MediaCorp Channel 8 programmes, including the current affairs show Hello Singapore.
In 2019, Guo hosted the dating variety show titled The Destined One.
Guo is currently a guest presenter with Love 97.2FM. He is also an acting coach.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Guo married Jade Shen Jie, a Chinese citizen, in 1994 and has a son, Marcus. He took up Singaporean citizenship in 2001[4] and his wife took up Singaporean citizenship in 2015.[5]
Filmography
[edit]Television series
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Beyond The aXis of Truth II | Li Weizhong | ||
| 2006 | Rhapsody in Blue | Ding Yixing | ||
| 2009 | Table of Glory | He Shuai | ||
| 2010 | Breakout | Yang Tianwei | ||
| 2012 | Be Happy | Lan Yanzhi | ||
| Poetic Justice | Ouyang Qiu | |||
| 2013 | The Dream Makers | Yao Jianguo | ||
| Sudden | Cheng Gaofeng | |||
| 2015 | Crescendo | Wei Nian | ||
| 2016 | The Truth Seekers | Ye Rongtao | ||
| Peace & Prosperity | You Yongfa | |||
| Hero | Alex | |||
| 2017 | The Lead | Li Wei | ||
| Life Less Ordinary | Song Jueming | |||
| 2018 | The Distance Between (下个路口遇见你) | Song Shanming | ||
| Heart To Heart (心点心) | Yue Tianhua | |||
| 2019 | C.L.I.F. 5 | Le Xiaotian / Quy Vuong | ||
| 2020 | A Jungle Survivor (森林生存记) | Titan | ||
| 2021 | CTRL | Liang Wendao | ||
| Old Soul yet Young (心里住着老灵魂) | Shi Qinglong | |||
| The Heartland Hero | Song Weihao | Cameo | ||
| 2022 | You Can Be an Angel 4 (你也可以是天使4) | Zhang Jiangnan | ||
| The Unbreakable Bond (寄生) | Gu Zhaohua | [6] | ||
| Your World in Mine | Sam Koh | |||
| Soul Detective | Bai Zhenqiang | |||
| 2023 | All That Glitters | Mo Yicong | ||
| 2025 | Emerald Hill - The Little Nyonya Story | Gao Si |
Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | It's a Great, Great World | Henry | ||
| 2013 | Judgement Day | Dai Sijie | ||
| 2014 | Unlucky Plaza | Baby Bear | ||
| Filial Party | Yoona's father | |||
| 2022 | Reunion Dinner | Liu Lanting |
Selected show hosting
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Destined One | ||
| 2023 | World Food (吃。东西) |
Discography
[edit]Compilation albums
[edit]| Year | English title | Mandarin title |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 12 | 新传媒群星金龙接财神 |
| 2018 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 18 | 新传媒群星阿狗狗过好年 |
| 2019 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 19 | 新传媒群星猪饱饱欢乐迎肥年 |
| 2020 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 20 | 裕鼠鼠纳福迎春乐 |
| 2021 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 21 | 福满牛年Moo Moo乐 |
Awards and nominations
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "'My salary kept rising': Disgruntled Quan Yi Fong side-eyes Guo Liang after learning about his starting pay". AsiaOne. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ "SPH MediaWorks stars all ready to shine". sph.com.sg. 2 October 2000. Archived from the original on 30 November 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ "Guo Liang". Mediacorp. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
- ^ "Guo Liang: "A Very Singaporean Chinaman"". Taken from The Straits Times. 30 March 2009. Archived from the original on 24 December 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ "Deepen roots in S'pore, PM tells new citizens". The Straits Times. 25 October 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
- ^ "Pan Lingling Wanted A Daughter So Badly She Refused To Believe Her Younger Son Was A Boy Until He Was Born". 8 Days. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
- ^ 钟, 雁龄 (6 March 2014). "《红星》「区域最受欢迎艺人」 范文芳 刘子绚 没合约 出局!". Shin Min Daily News. pp. 10/11.
- ^ "Star Awards 2012 nominees are out!". Star Gazing. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
- ^ Auto, Hermes (24 April 2022). "Star Awards 2022 host Chen Hanwei clinches Best Actor award | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Star Awards 2022: Chantalle Ng and Xu Bin nominated for Favourite CP, Top 40 Most Popular Artistes revealed". AsiaOne. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ Wong, Bryan (20 May 2025). "Nominees For Star Awards 2025 & How You Can Win A BYD Car By Voting". 8days. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
External links
[edit]- Guo Liang at IMDb
- Profile on xinmsn
- Archived Bio on MediaCorp TV website
Guo Liang (actor)
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Childhood and family background
Guo Liang was born on 11 November 1968 in Shanghai, China.[4] He grew up as the elder of two boys in a modest family, where his parents worked for a firm distributing goods manufactured by the Chinese government.[5] Due to their frequent travel for work, Guo Liang was primarily raised by his paternal grandparents during his childhood and early years in Shanghai in the 1970s and 1980s.[5] His younger brother later became an auditor based in Shanghai.[5]Academic training and early influences
Guo Liang enrolled at the Shanghai Theatre Academy in 1987, one of China's premier institutions for performing arts, where he specialized in the performance department focusing on acting techniques, stagecraft, and dramatic interpretation. Over the course of his four-year program, he immersed himself in a rigorous curriculum that emphasized both classical Chinese theater traditions and contemporary performance methods, honing skills essential for professional acting. This training provided a solid foundation in emotional expression, character development, and ensemble work, preparing him for the demands of the stage and screen.[6][1] During his university years, Guo participated in various student-led theater productions and minor roles in Chinese stage plays, gaining practical experience in live performances that bridged theoretical learning with real-world application. Notable among his early works was a role in the 1991 production The Creation of a World, which marked his initial foray into professional-level acting shortly before graduation. These experiences allowed him to experiment with diverse genres, from historical dramas to modern narratives, fostering his versatility as a performer.[1]Career
Debut and early television work
Guo Liang immigrated to Singapore from Shanghai, China, in 1994 at the age of 25, drawn by an opportunity in the local entertainment industry but arriving with very limited financial resources.[1] Upon arrival, he and his wife faced severe hardships, with only $2 remaining before his first paycheck, forcing them to share a single packet of instant noodles to get by.[2] His initial monthly salary of $1,500 was quickly depleted on essentials like kitchenware, highlighting the couple's precarious start in a new country.[2] That same year, Guo Liang joined the Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS), the predecessor to MediaCorp, where he began his professional acting career in the city-state after graduating from the Shanghai Theatre Academy.[1] He debuted in minor television roles, marking his entry into Singapore's Chinese-language drama scene with appearances in series such as The Invisible Squad (1994–2000), a long-running police procedural.[1] These early parts allowed him to build experience in local productions, though they were supporting rather than lead roles. Throughout the late 1990s, Guo Liang continued to take on modest roles in TCS dramas, facing challenges in adapting his mainland Mandarin pronunciation and style to the Singaporean context, which often incorporated Singlish elements and regional inflections for authenticity.[5] Breakthrough moments came through initial appearances in family-oriented series like Different Cuts Different Strokes (Seasons 1 and 2, 1990s) and In Pursuit of Peace (2001), where he portrayed everyday characters, gradually gaining recognition for his versatile performances amid financial and cultural adjustments.[1]Network transitions and hosting prominence
In late 2000, amid the intensifying media competition in Singapore, Guo Liang transitioned from MediaCorp (then known as TCS) to the newly launched SPH MediaWorks, alongside fellow hosts such as Kym Ng, Bryan Wong, and Darren Lim.[7] At MediaWorks, he contributed to variety programming and participated in the channel's 2001 Mega Launch event, expanding his on-air presence during this period of industry rivalry.[1] The competitive landscape shifted when SPH MediaWorks merged with MediaCorp in late 2004, with operations fully integrating by January 2005, prompting Guo Liang's return to the unified MediaCorp entity.[8] This merger consolidated resources and talent, allowing Guo Liang to build on his early television experience in a more stable environment. Back at MediaCorp, Guo Liang established himself as a prominent host through long-running programs like Hello Singapore, a current affairs show that highlighted his engaging style and versatility.[1] His hosting career peaked in the late 2000s with CelebriTEA Break (2009), a variety talk show where he interviewed celebrities, earning him the Best Variety Show Host award at the 2009 Star Awards.[9] Key milestones during this era included annual hosting of the Star Awards from 2005 to 2010, where he emceed the ceremony celebrating top MediaCorp talents, as well as live events like the Ren Ci Charity Show (2003–2008) and Lunar New Year Eve Specials (2000–2010), which often featured outdoor broadcasts and drew large audiences for festive programming.[1] These roles underscored his adaptability to high-stakes live formats, solidifying his reputation as a reliable and charismatic figure in Singaporean television.Recent acting roles and other contributions
In the 2010s, Guo Liang revitalized his acting career after years focused on hosting, taking on supporting roles that showcased his dramatic range. He returned to television in 2013 as Yao Jianguo, a key character in the MediaCorp Channel 8 drama The Dream Makers, where his portrayal of a family man navigating professional and personal challenges contributed to the series' success.[1] The following year, he made his mark in film with the role of Baby Bear, a loan shark enforcer, in the Singaporean black comedy thriller Unlucky Plaza, directed by Ken Kwek, highlighting themes of immigration and economic disparity in the city-state.[10][11] Guo Liang's acting momentum continued into the 2020s with selective but impactful projects. In 2023, he portrayed Mo Yicong, a complex figure in the family-oriented drama All That Glitters, exploring ambition and relationships amid Singapore's entertainment industry.[1] In 2024, he appeared in Unforgivable as Zheng Qingde, Hope Afloat as Wang Zhewei, and To Be Loved as Zhuo Tianci.[1] His most recent role came in 2025 as police inspector Gao Si in Emerald Hill - The Little Nyonya Story, a sequel series delving into Peranakan heritage and intrigue, which premiered on MediaCorp Channel 8 and Netflix.[1] Beyond acting, Guo Liang has diversified his contributions to media and entertainment. Building on his hosting prominence, he fronted the dating reality show The Destined One in 2019, guiding participants through matchmaking challenges across 25 episodes.[12] In 2022, he co-hosted the culinary travel series World Food (吃。东西), venturing into global cuisines with co-host Darren Lim to blend food exploration with cultural insights.[13] Since the 2010s, he has been a recurring guest presenter on Love 97.2FM's lunchtime programme, engaging listeners with light-hearted discussions and music.[1] Additionally, Guo Liang serves as an acting coach at MediaCorp, mentoring emerging talents in performance techniques and on-set preparation.[1]Personal life
Marriage and family
Guo Liang married his wife, Jade Shen Jie, in 1994, shortly after signing a contract with what was then Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS), now Mediacorp. The couple, who had been dating in Shanghai, relocated to Singapore together that year to support his burgeoning career in television. Their early years in the city-state were marked by significant financial challenges, including instances where they had only S$2 left before payday and had to share a single packet of instant noodles for meals.[14] The couple welcomed their son, Marcus Guo, in 1999, born in Singapore where the family had settled. Marcus was raised in Singapore, attending local schools such as Anderson Junior College, and after completing his national service as a medic in the Singapore Armed Forces, pursued studies in architecture at the National University of Singapore. As of 2025, he is pursuing a Master of Architecture at NUS.[15][16] The family's decision to remain in Singapore for Marcus's upbringing was influenced by Guo Liang's professional opportunities, though it came amid personal strains; Jade experienced severe post-natal depression following Marcus's birth, exacerbated by her anxieties over the instability of her husband's entertainment career.[17] Throughout Guo Liang's career transitions, including shifts between acting and hosting roles, Jade played a pivotal role in maintaining family stability. Despite her initial reservations about the industry's unpredictability—which contributed to her emotional challenges—she provided unwavering support, managing household responsibilities and later establishing her own beauty and spa business, Hui Aesthetics, in Tiong Bahru.[14][17][18] Guo Liang has credited his parents' involvement during Jade's depression for helping him navigate those difficulties without resentment, underscoring the broader family network's importance in their adjustment to life in Singapore.[17]Citizenship and public persona
Guo Liang, originally from Shanghai, China, acquired Singaporean citizenship in 2001 after relocating to the country in 1994 to pursue opportunities in the local entertainment industry.[2] His wife, Shen Jie, followed suit and became a Singapore citizen in 2015, further solidifying their family's ties to the nation.[2] In public statements, Guo Liang has reflected on his decision to deepen his roots in Singapore, citing adaptation to the local way of life and a desire for a stable environment for his family as key factors. He noted that becoming a citizen allowed his son to benefit from Singapore's education system, which he perceived as less stressful compared to that in China, and expressed having grown accustomed to the societal norms and routines in the city-state. These comments underscore his cultural adaptation from an initial period of unfamiliarity and financial hardship upon arrival, where he and his wife faced significant challenges adjusting to life in a new country.[5][17] Guo Liang has demonstrated community involvement through his participation in various charitable initiatives, particularly by hosting high-profile fundraising events. Notable examples include co-hosting the Community Chest's annual charity TV show in 2023, which raised over S$16 million for social services, as well as events for the Society for the Physically Disabled and the National Kidney Foundation.[19] He has also been a regular host for the President's Star Charity, contributing to efforts supporting underprivileged communities and medical causes.[5] Over three decades, Guo Liang's public persona has evolved from that of a struggling newcomer navigating early career uncertainties to a respected veteran artiste emblematic of perseverance in Singapore's media landscape. This transformation was poignantly highlighted in 2025 when he received the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artiste award at the Star Awards; overcome with emotion, he stated, "I knew there was a reason I had to wait this long—I was waiting for my idol to present the award to me," referring to Chow Yun-fat, reflecting on his enduring journey and gratitude toward his adopted home.[20]Media works
Television series and films
Guo Liang began his acting career in television with supporting roles in Singaporean dramas produced by MediaCorp. In the police procedural series C.L.I.F. (2011), he portrayed Le Xiao Tian, a key figure in the ensemble cast exploring law enforcement themes.[21] His performance in the family-oriented blockbuster The Dream Makers (2013–2016) as the unfaithful husband Yao Jianguo earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the Star Awards 2014, highlighting his ability to depict complex marital dynamics in a story about media industry aspirations.[1] Transitioning to films, Guo Liang appeared in It's a Great, Great World (2011), a nostalgic comedy-drama directed by Kelvin Tong, where he played Henry, the old flame of the protagonist in a tale spanning decades of Singaporean history. In the thriller Unlucky Plaza (2014), he took on the antagonistic role of Baby Bear, a ruthless gangster in a multi-character hostage crisis narrative inspired by real events, contributing to the film's international festival screenings.[11] More recent works showcase his versatility in both mediums. Guo Liang starred as Zi Hong's father in the Lunar New Year comedy Reunion Dinner (2022), a Singapore-China co-production directed by Ong Kuo Sin, focusing on family reconciliation during festive preparations.[22] In the action film Drunken Fist (2021), he played Shuo Tuo, a supporting character in a martial arts story.[23] On television, he featured in the historical drama All That Glitters (2023) as Mo Yicong, a family patriarch navigating wealth and relationships in a 30-episode series that received Asian Academy Creative Awards recognition.[24] His latest role is as police inspector Gao Si in the period drama Emerald Hill - The Little Nyonya Story (2025), a sequel exploring Peranakan culture across 30 episodes.[25] Additional television appearances include the ensemble family drama Hope Afloat (2024), where he supported the main narrative on resilience and community.[26]Hosting and variety shows
Guo Liang has established himself as a prominent television host in Singapore, particularly in variety and informational programming, spanning from the 1990s to the present day. His hosting career emphasizes engaging live events, talk shows, and lifestyle formats, often blending entertainment with cultural or current affairs elements. He has frequently collaborated with Mediacorp, hosting large-scale live productions and contributing to festive specials that highlight Singaporean traditions.[1] One of his longest-running roles is as host of Hello Singapore (狮城有约), a weekday current affairs talk show that debuted in the 1990s and continues to air on Channel 8. Guo Liang joined as a main host around 2014, co-hosting with figures like You Yi, where episodes feature discussions on local news, community stories, and expert interviews in a conversational format. He departed the show in 2020 to focus on other projects but remains associated with its legacy of connecting viewers to Singapore's evolving landscape.[27][28] In 2009, Guo Liang co-hosted the celebrity talk show CelebriTEA Break (艺点心思) alongside Quan Yi Fong, a format that delved into personal anecdotes, industry gossip, and light-hearted debates among local stars over tea sessions. The program earned him the Star Awards for Best Variety Show Host that year, recognizing its candid and entertaining approach to unscripted celebrity interactions. A second season followed, maintaining the informal, confessional style that resonated with audiences.[9][29] Guo Liang expanded into dating variety with The Destined One (众里寻一) in 2019, serving as the sole host for its seven-episode run on Mediacorp. The show followed singles navigating romantic connections through challenges and dates, emphasizing emotional compatibility in a structured yet playful setup, and spawned a second season that explored similar themes with returning elements.[12][30] More recently, in 2021, he hosted the food travelogue World Food (吃。东西), co-hosting with Darren Lim across its second season. The series explores global cuisines through on-location segments, historical insights, and tastings, blending culinary education with adventurous variety elements. This followed the show's 2019 debut, which ranked among top local programs for its accessible exploration of food cultures.[31][32] Beyond these, Guo Liang has made notable variety appearances in live events, including multiple Star Awards ceremonies from 2005 to 2025, where he has co-hosted glitzy award shows celebrating local entertainment. He has also anchored Lunar New Year's Eve specials annually since 2008 and River Hongbao events from 2019 onward, often in outdoor or festive formats that incorporate performances and cultural showcases. Additional credits include voiceovers for promotional segments and guest spots in lifestyle shows like Go Live! in the 2010s, underscoring his versatility in unscripted media from the 1990s through the 2020s.[1][33]Discography
Guo Liang's musical output primarily consists of contributions to MediaCorp's annual Lunar New Year compilation albums, where he has lent his vocals to festive group songs celebrating the Chinese New Year. These releases highlight his versatility as a performer, often collaborating with fellow MediaCorp artistes on upbeat, traditional-themed tracks that blend pop and folk elements. While he has not released any solo albums, his recordings emphasize harmonious ensemble performances rather than individual showcases. In the 2012 compilation MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 12 (titled 新传媒群星金龙接财神), Guo Liang featured on group tracks including "春联红" (Chun Lian Hong), a lively festive song performed alongside Wang Lujiang, Kym Ng, and Lai Yiling, evoking themes of prosperity and reunion.[34] The album, produced by MediaCorp in collaboration with Universal Music, captured the Year of the Dragon's spirit through 16 tracks of choral celebrations.[35] Guo Liang continued his involvement in later editions, such as the 2018 MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 18 (新传媒群星阿狗狗过好年), where he sang "喜气洋洋" (Xi Qi Yang Yang) with Quan Yifeng, Kym Ng, Vivian Lai, and Li Teng, promoting joy and good fortune for the Year of the Dog. In 2019's MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 19 (新传媒群星猪饱饱欢乐迎肥年), he contributed to "万年红" (Wan Nian Hong) in collaboration with Quan Yifeng, Kym Ng, Vivian Lai, and Desmond Ng, focusing on abundance and family harmony.[36] The 2020 album MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 20 (裕鼠鼠纳福迎春乐) included his vocals on "Happy Chinese New Year" with the same core group of Quan Yifeng, Kym Ng, Vivian Lai, and Lee Teng, alongside additional performers Vincent Lim and Wang Zheng. His most recent major contribution came in 2021 with MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 21 (福满牛年Moo Moo乐), where he performed the title track "年年好" (Nian Nian Hao / Year Year Good), a collaborative festive anthem with Zoe Tay, Pierre Png, Kym Ng, Desmond Tan, Paige Chua, Romeo Tan, Ya Hui, Timothy Nga, James Seah, and Rebecca Lim, emphasizing yearly blessings and unity for the Year of the Ox.[37] This single was released as a standalone track ahead of the full album and became a staple for New Year celebrations.[38] Beyond these compilations, Guo Liang has occasionally sung original pieces during variety show appearances, such as getai performances, though these are typically not formalized into separate releases.[39]| Year | Album Title | Featured Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 12 (新传媒群星金龙接财神) | "春联红" (with Wang Lujiang, Kym Ng, Lai Yiling) |
| 2018 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 18 (新传媒群星阿狗狗过好年) | "喜气洋洋" (with Quan Yifeng, Kym Ng, Vivian Lai, Li Teng) |
| 2019 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 19 (新传媒群星猪饱饱欢乐迎肥年) | "万年红" (with Quan Yifeng, Kym Ng, Vivian Lai, Desmond Ng) |
| 2020 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 20 (裕鼠鼠纳福迎春乐) | "Happy Chinese New Year" (with Quan Yifeng, Kym Ng, Vivian Lai, Lee Teng, Vincent Lim, Wang Zheng) |
| 2021 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 21 (福满牛年Moo Moo乐) | "年年好" (with Zoe Tay, Pierre Png, Kym Ng, Desmond Tan, Paige Chua, Romeo Tan, Ya Hui, Timothy Nga, James Seah, Rebecca Lim) |
Awards and nominations
Acting and supporting awards
Guo Liang received his first acting award at the Star Awards 2014, where he won Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the unfaithful husband Yao Jianguo in the drama series The Dream Makers.[1] This performance, part of a series that dominated the awards with 19 nominations, highlighted his ability to convey complex emotional depth in a supporting role within a high-stakes family and career narrative.[40] The win marked a significant milestone for Guo, who was nominated alongside co-stars Dennis Chew and Shaun Chen for the same category, underscoring the ensemble's impact.[40][41] Following this recognition, Guo earned further nominations for his acting work at subsequent Star Awards ceremonies. In 2021, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Titan in A Jungle Survivor, a survival-themed drama that showcased his versatility in intense, character-driven scenarios.[30] In 2025, he received another nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in To Be Loved.[42] Although he did not win these nominations, they reflect growing appreciation for his contributions to scripted television beyond hosting. Earlier searches did not yield verified acting-specific honors from the Asian Television Awards, where his accolades have primarily centered on presenting roles.| Year | Award | Work | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Star Awards - Best Supporting Actor | The Dream Makers (as Yao Jianguo) | Won | Mediacorp, TODAYonline |
| 2021 | Star Awards - Best Supporting Actor | A Jungle Survivor (as Titan) | Nominated | TODAYonline |
| 2025 | Star Awards - Best Supporting Actor | To Be Loved | Nominated | Mediacorp |
