Julian Hee - When a trusted friend turns foe
When a trusted friend turns foe
Criticism and betrayal drive actor to depression
By Ho Lian-Yi
June 25, 2007
FOR a while, Julian Hee was the hottest new kid in town. Good-looking, youthful and hunky, he looked like he was set to be the next MediaCorp Ah Ge (big brother).
But no longer is he the aspiring prince. Instead, the equally handsome Elvin Ng is now touted as future king.
Julian, 29, admitted his career hadn't gone exactly where he wanted it to. It got so bad, he recently went into depression.
And, for a while, the competitive former model entertained thoughts of quitting showbusiness altogether.
The showbiz environment played a part in fostering the thought.
'It's not the nicest industry to be in because you face criticism all the time,' he said.
And it can be downright nasty sometimes, he added.
He was speaking at Wednesday's media conference for his new serial, Switched, which co-stars Fann Wong, Jeanette Aw, Shaun Chen and Terence Cao.
'The experience showed me the ugly side of human nature, when someone you thought you could trust lets you down,' he said.
Was there betrayal?
'All the time,' he replied.
When asked for more detail, he said, what if someone who manages you turns out to be the source of rumours about you?
'I don't know if it was for his own entertainment or otherwise. It can be pretty devastating,' he said.
All this made Julain wonder if it was time for a career change. But Julian has decided to stick it out - at least for a few more years.
It was MrKenneth Liang, MediaCorp's executive vice-president of TV programming and production for Channel 5, who convinced him to stay.
'He told me if I quit now, I'd regret it for the rest of my life because I haven't tried my best. He didn't think I'd reached my peak yet.'
For now, the need to excel is what keeps him going. He knows he needs to work on his acting - and he is.
Fans have also lifted his spirits. Strangers have come up to him and said 'jia you' (Mandarin for keep it up). But, most of all, it's the support from his family that sustains him. 'Without them, I'd be at rock bottom,' he said.
LOOKING UP
And things are looking up in some ways.
In Switched, Julian plays an evil character for the first time - a schemer jealous of another's wealth and girlfriend.
It is refreshing to stop being stereotyped as the 'good-looking kid', said Julian.
Having different kinds of roles - he wouldn't mind playing a pimp, gigolo or anything dysfunctional - and working with brilliant actors are what revives his love for acting.
He is nothing like his evil character, he said.
But then, does he ever feel a rivalry with Elvin? 'No,' he said.
In fact, Elvin - whom he regards as a friend - called him up recently and they had a good laugh over the idea, he said.
'Honestly, I think he's a good guy and I'm happy for what he's achieved so far. Jealousy is a vicious circle,' he said.
That doesn't mean Julian's given up fighting for his place in the sun.
'I do hope my time will come,' he said.
Since February 4, 2006