Zen Chong

Zen Chong (born Chong Cheng Xiong; 15 August 1978), formerly known as Zzen Chong, is a Malaysian actor and property agent who is based in Singapore.

Early life A native of the "New Villages" in Kuala Lumpur, Chong studied graphic design and worked at an advertising agency prior to joining Star Search Malaysia.

Career Chong joined MediaCorp in 2001 after finishing third in that year's Malaysian edition of Star Search Singapore. One of his first major roles was in the 2003 sitcom Lobang King where he was cast alongside veteran artistes Chew Chor Meng, Huang Wenyong and Irene Ang as the smooth-talking employee of Huang's character.

Chong is known for portraying juvenile "ah beng" characters, antiheroes and villains. He shot to fame for his role as the main antagonist in the hit period drama The Little Nyonya. Although initially a replacement for Andrew Seow, he was praised for his convincing portrayal of antagonist Robert Zhang and won a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2009 Star Awards, his first ever awards nomination. He was given his first lead role in the 2008 co-production The Thin Line.

Personal life He married his long-time girlfriend Geline See in January 2011. Chong and his wife have a daughter and a son.

In 2012, it was revealed during the release of The Quarters that Chong changed a character in his Chinese name after consulting with a fortune teller. His English name was changed as well, from Zzen Chong to Zen Chong. He has also converted to part-time acting and since become a full-time property agent.

Filmography Television series Year Title Role Notes 2002 The Vagrant Zhang Disheng Kopi-O II Hong Fuxing 2003 Lobang King Hong Daji True Heroes Wang Wei Baby Boom James Beautiful Trio Colin Home in Toa Payoh Dino 2004 An Ode to Life Zhang Ruixiang 2005 Zero to Hero Ping Beyond the aXis of Truth II Woody Love Concierge Ruan Yawan 2006 The Shining Star Ah Pao Women of Times Bruce Love at 0°C Victor 2007 Switched! Jiang Zhiheng Fallen Angel Chen Xuewen 2008 Where the Heart Is Hong Jiajun Rhythm of Life Wang Tianbao The Thin Line Chen Tianyou The Little Nyonya Robert Zhang Zhang Zuye 2009 My Kampong Days Qiao Junwei 2010 Priceless Wonder Li Caishun Unriddle Yu Zhenbang Injustice Lin Shunyuan 2011 Be Happy Ken See Dark Sunset Qiu Jiawei 2012 Yours Fatefully Hong Zhiguo The Quarters Luo Hanguo

Variety shows Year Title Notes 2002 King of Variety 2006 Battle of the Best 2009 Stars for a Cause 2010 Let's Party With Food! VII Guest appearance 2022 A Night Under the Stars Guest appearance 2023 The Reunion Guest appearance

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work ResultRef 2009 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor The Little Nyonya 2011 Star AwardsBest Supporting Actor Unriddle