Can an Old Dog Learn New Tricks?
When Vincent Ng steps back onto the set of Deleted, he feels like a rookie dog in a brand‑new dog‑training class.
First Day Nerves
After a 10‑plus‑year break from the spotlight, the veteran actor and martial‑artist admits to feeling “a bit awkward” during his first scene shoot with director Zheng Geping.
The “New‑Skill” Hurdle
Despite a long career as a lead actor, returning to camera felt oddly distant. “It was like stepping into a whole new arena,” Ng told AsiaOne on November 2.
- He almost said, “Being an actor is a tough job.”
- Meetings, script‑recall, and rehearsal routines suddenly seemed steeper than before.
- He swore he’d been “seasoned” the first time around, but this time, everything felt fresh.
The “Conditioning Period”
Age is just a number: at 46, Vincent admits it took him “one to two weeks” to settle into the rhythm of a film set again. He calls it a “conditioning period” – the time it takes a seasoned veteran to stretch into a new role.
The Diet Dilemma
Just when he thought the film schedule was the challenge, director Geping jumps in: “What about the dieting?”
Even as a disciplined athlete, Ng finds the diet requirements for an actor a bit of a snag. He’s honestly “dismayed” by the strict menu that comes with the movie leading.
Final Thoughts
So yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks – but it might be a few awkward leaps and a special diet plan along the way. Vincent’s journey from a “stiff, seasoned” actor to a fresh, new‑skill animal (or should we say human?) shows that practice, patience, and a touch of humor go a long way.
A Struggle in the Kitchen, A Victory on the Screen
When Vonishing jokingly called the assistant to fill the order, the first day was a culinary comedy: “The assistant was ordering food and asked me what I wanted to eat,” he remembers. “I checked what Geping Da Ge – that big brother – had on his plate, and I said, ‘Okay, I’ll just follow him.’”
Goulash? None. Boiled Chicken? Yes.
- Bland & oil-less meals – every dish was practically a whiteboard, minus the excitement.
- Chicken boiled to a life-size drama – it seemed every bite was a comedic tragedy.
- Hydration disaster – even the drinks came in a plain water disguise.
Vincent says that coffee became his only real taste escape. “That’s the only thing with a bit of flavor,” he chuckles. “A small caffeine hit – no sugar, just a pure wake‑up call!”
From Martial Arts Royalty to a Scripted Sanity
Those who only shortcut the story as “warden of the grape” realize his legacy. A former Wushu world champion and triple, salty SEA Games gold medalist, Vincent launched Wufang Singapore—a martial arts school—back in 2004. He spun his acting career out in 2006 after deciding “I only want to step in for friends, or to support small releases and variety moments.”
A Shot Around the Zoo
When the film creators offered him a chance to co‑star, Vincent was the first to feel the appreciation that Geping Da Ge gave him: a bro vibe, a “thank you” kinda feeling. That trust felt like a fragile, yet high‑stakes partnership.
Geping, now 58, is not just a big name on the screen. He is the Executive Producer and the mastermind behind action in “Deleted.” The plot has him pulling through the scandal by infiltrating a trafficking ring. Meanwhile, Vincent plays the Singaporean commando who aims to bring the criminal to justice.
The Deep‑Dive Behind the Story
Initially, Geping pitched a classic undercover thriller. Eventually, he realized the simple storyline didn’t cut it. “I spent time interviewing a former Interpol director, police forces, and nine NGOs,” he explains. “We all know about arms or drug trade but human trafficking is a global horror story.”
“Deleted” flies onto cinema screens on Nov 3, skeptically awaiting applause or a glittering award.
