Joshua Ang

Joshua Ang (born 1 March 1989) is a Singaporean former actor best known for his breakout role as Ang Boon Hock, one of three primary school students grappling with academic pressures and family expectations, in Jack Neo's critically acclaimed and commercially successful film I Not Stupid (2002).^[1][2] He reprised a similar youthful character, Lim Chengcai, in the sequel I Not Stupid Too (2006), which continued to explore themes of education and parental influence in Singaporean society.^[3][4] Ang began his acting career as a child artist under Mediacorp, debuting in I Not Stupid alongside co-stars Shawn Lee and Huang Po Ju, which became a cultural touchstone for addressing Singapore's kiasu parenting culture and grossed S$3.8 million at the box office. Following his early success, he appeared in supporting roles in films such as Homerun (2003), a remake of The Sandlot set in 1960s Singapore, and We Not Naughty (2012), another Jack Neo production focusing on children's antics and moral lessons.^[5][2] His later credits include a role in the anthology series Unriddle (2010) and a recent appearance as Mr. Joshua in the family-oriented film Life with Quincy 3 (2024).^[6] After a period of reduced activity in the entertainment industry, Ang has occasionally shared updates on his personal life through social media, including his marriage to air stewardess Shannon Low in 2018, the birth of their son Jedaiah that same year, their divorce in 2021 amid publicized disputes, and the arrival of his second child, a daughter, in 2021.^[7][4][2]

Early life

Upbringing

Joshua Ang Ser Kian was born on 1 March 1989 in Singapore.^[8] He grew up in the Pasir Ris area and attended Pasir Ris Secondary School during his adolescent years.^[9] In 2001, at the age of 12, Ang was discovered for his acting debut in the film I Not Stupid, marking the beginning of his entry into the entertainment industry.^[9]

Education and national service

He completed his GCE O-Level examinations at Pasir Ris Secondary School.^[9] As a male Singaporean citizen born in 1989, Ang was obligated to complete full-time National Service in the Singapore Armed Forces, a mandatory two-year commitment for all able-bodied male citizens and permanent residents. No notable experiences from his service period have been publicly documented. Following the completion of his national service, Ang opted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, joining Mediacorp as a full-time contract actor in 2008. This decision marked a shift from his earlier educational path, though specific non-acting aspirations from his school years, such as potential interests in other professions, remain unrecorded in available sources.

Career

Early acting roles

Joshua Ang was discovered by director Jack Neo during casting for the 2002 film I Not Stupid, where he was selected at age 13 to play Ang Boon Hock, a diligent boy from a family running a hawker food stall who grapples with academic streaming pressures and parental expectations. Filming occurred primarily in Singaporean schools and neighborhoods, emphasizing realistic depictions of local youth life, with Ang delivering lines in a mix of Mandarin, Hokkien, and Singlish to capture authentic cultural nuances. His portrayal contributed to the ensemble's effective blend of humor and pathos, earning praise for its natural charm in a "fruity" comedic style that resonated with audiences.^[10][11] The film's success, grossing over S$3.8 million at the Singapore box office, marked Ang's breakthrough and introduced him as a key child actor in local cinema.^[12] In 2003, Neo cast Ang in Homerun as Tan Beng Soon, a loyal friend in a coming-of-age tale set in 1965 Singapore, exploring themes of resilience, poverty, and sibling bonds that echoed the familial and societal critiques in I Not Stupid. Ang's supporting performance highlighted his ability to convey emotional depth in period settings, further building his profile through Neo's signature focus on everyday Singaporean struggles.^[13][5] Ang returned for I Not Stupid Too in 2006, portraying Lim Chengcai, an adolescent navigating bullying, family discord, and communication breakdowns with his younger brother, allowing for evolved character exploration from the original film's child-centric viewpoint. The sequel's narrative delved deeper into generational conflicts in fast-paced urban Singapore, with Ang's matured acting adding layers to the satirical commentary. It achieved strong commercial performance, earning S$865,611 in its first six days and ultimately surpassing S$4 million at the local box office.^[14] These early film roles drew significant media coverage, positioning Ang as a promising young talent emblematic of Singaporean cinema's emerging focus on relatable youth stories and social issues.^[5]

Mediacorp period and departure

Following his national service, Joshua Ang signed on as a full-time artiste with Mediacorp in 2008, marking his entry into structured television production with initial roles in Channel 8 dramas.^[15] During this period, he took on prominent supporting roles in long-form series, including Your Hand in Mine (2009–2010), where he portrayed Gao Yongjun, the stepson of a central character and a friend to another young lead.^[16] His performance contributed to the series' exploration of family dynamics and personal growth, earning positive mentions in media coverage of the production.^[17] Ang's Mediacorp tenure also featured a key role in the crime drama Unriddle (2010), playing Liu Shisan, a low-level criminal entangled in investigations alongside detectives.^[16] The series, which debuted in August 2010, highlighted his versatility in ensemble casts involving established actors like Rui En and Tay Ping Hui, and it received attention for its procedural storytelling format.^[18] These projects built on his earlier film experience, providing steady exposure through Mediacorp's broadcast schedule. Throughout his time at Mediacorp, Ang faced the demands of a rigorous filming schedule, which he later cited as influencing his career decisions amid growing family commitments. In July 2010, at age 21, he chose not to renew his contract, opting instead to prioritize his family's recycling business and personal life.^[17] This departure allowed him to shift focus away from acting's uncertainties. In 2012, he founded Reelity TV, an online platform for humorous video content and production, partnering with figures like Nuffnang CEO Cheo Ming Shen to explore digital media opportunities.^[19]

Later acting and non-acting pursuits

Following his departure from Mediacorp, Ang made selective returns to acting in projects that suited his schedule and interests. In 2012, he reprised the role of Liu Shisan in the crime drama series Unriddle 2, a sequel to the original Unriddle where his character was part of a criminal family involved in human trafficking cases.^[20] That year, he also starred as the rebellious Jian Ren in the comedy-drama film We Not Naughty, which explored themes of juvenile delinquency and family pressures in Singapore.^[21] Additionally, Ang portrayed Eden, a supporting character in a time-travel romance storyline, in the film Timeless Love.^[22] Ang continued these occasional acting appearances in later years. He took a small guest role in the 2021 political satire The Diam Diam Era Two, directed by Jack Neo, marking another collaboration with the filmmaker from his early career.^[2] In 2024, he appeared as Mr. Joshua in the third installment of the family-oriented series Life with Quincy 3.^[6] Transitioning from full-time acting, Ang pursued formal education in digital media. He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Animation at DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore in 2020, where the program equipped him with technical skills in 2D/3D animation, storyboarding, and interactive media production, alongside soft skills like perseverance in high-pressure environments.^[23] In 2020, shortly after graduating, Ang entered the advertising sector at Yoozoo Games as a 2D/3D generalist on the publishing team. His responsibilities included conceptualizing plots for game promotions, creating storyboards, and producing animatics to develop effective marketing materials that identify trends and engage audiences. In December 2021, he joined IFUN Singapore as a 3D Art Lead, continuing his work in digital media and animation.^[23][24] Ang also ventured into entrepreneurship in media production. He helmed Reelity TV, an online video production house focused on humorous content, which featured shows like Reelity Bites hosted by emerging talents.^[19] By 2025, Ang had established himself as a former full-time actor with a hybrid career blending sporadic on-screen roles in entertainment and professional contributions to tech-driven advertising and media ventures.

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Joshua Ang proposed to his then-girlfriend, air stewardess Shannon Low, during a trip to Bali in December 2017.^[25] The couple married on March 3, 2018, in a Havana Nights-themed beach wedding at Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa in Singapore.^[17] In December 2020, Ang announced his divorce from Low after two years of marriage, describing it as a mutual decision for personal reasons.^[26] However, Low publicly alleged domestic abuse, violence, and irresponsibility on Ang's part, claims which he denied as false and initiated a libel suit against her.^[27][28] The divorce was finalized in March 2021, as previously agreed upon by the couple.^[29] Following the divorce, Ang began a relationship with Catherine Kew, a property agent, in 2021.^[30] Their partnership has led to the expansion of Ang's family.^[31]

Family

Joshua Ang and his then-wife Shannon Low welcomed their first child, a son named Jedaiah Leonhart, on August 1, 2018.^[32] The couple's early family life faced challenges, including a medical emergency for the newborn who required intensive care due to overfeeding by a confinement nanny.^[33] Following his divorce from Low, finalized in early 2021, Ang became a father for the second time with his partner Catherine Kew, a property agent.^[34] Their daughter, Lovelle Aurora, was born in August 2021, with Ang publicly announcing the arrival on Instagram and sharing that her name was inspired by a dream of the Northern Lights.^[2] Ang has expressed a strong commitment to his role as a parent across both families, prioritizing his children's well-being amid the changes in family structure.^[35]

Filmography

Films

• 2002: I Not Stupid, directed by Jack Neo, as Ang Boon Hock – a young student facing intense academic pressure from his father in this ensemble comedy-drama about Singaporean schoolchildren.^[1]
• 2003: Homerun, directed by Jack Neo, as Tan Beng Soon – the wealthy leader of an amateur soccer team who befriends the protagonist in this coming-of-age story and remake of the Iranian film Children of Heaven.^[13]
• 2004: Nobody's Child, directed by Lin Wenhui, as Wei – a boy involved in a heartfelt drama exploring themes of family and abandonment among orphans.
• 2006: I Not Stupid Too, directed by Jack Neo, as Lim Chengcai – the rebellious son of a single mother in this sequel to I Not Stupid, focusing on juvenile delinquency and family bonds in an ensemble cast.^[3]
• 2008: Missing You, directed by Lin Kun Hui, as Qiang – the lead in a drama depicting the challenges and emotional highs of the Singaporean getai performance trade.
• 2012: Timeless Love, directed by Dasmond Koh and Lim Koong Hwee, as Eden – a young man navigating romance and time-spanning connections in this dramatic romance.
• 2012: We Not Naughty, directed by Jack Neo, as Damien Lau Jianren – a supporting role in this comedy spin-off from the I Not Stupid universe, following mischievous schoolboys and their antics.^[21]
• 2021: The Diam Diam Era Two, directed by Jack Neo, as Yao Dong – a police officer in this sequel comedy about friends forming a political party during Singapore's 1988 election era, part of an ensemble cast.^[36]

Television

Ang's television appearances were primarily during his Mediacorp contract period, featuring supporting roles in Channel 8 dramas.^[25]

• Table of Glory (2009): Portrayed He Shengwu in this 20-episode Mediacorp Channel 8 sports drama.
• Your Hand in Mine (2009): Portrayed Gao Yongjun in this long-form Mediacorp Channel 8 drama spanning 180 episodes.^[25]
• New Beginnings (2010): Portrayed Cai Shicai in this Mediacorp Channel 8 drama.
• Unriddle (2010): Played Liu Shisan, a key supporting character, in the 20-episode Mediacorp Channel 8 crime drama.^[18]
• Unriddle 2 (2012): Reprised the role of Liu Shisan in this 20-episode sequel on Mediacorp Channel 8.^[20]
• Life with Quincy 3 (2024): Appeared as Mr. Joshua in this Mediacorp series.^[6]

Awards and nominations