Durian-Obsessed Actress Turns Set Into A Fruity Frenzy
Jack Neo’s “King of Musang King” Becomes a Sweet and Smelly Showcase
While the world of cinema is usually fussing over tight schedules and tight budgets, something sweet—and a bit stinky—caught everyone’s eye on the set of King of Musang King. In the heart of a lush durian plantation in Malaysia, actress Yeo Yann Yann was caught nibbling on the golden fruit, revealing a love for durians that’s hard to ignore.
- Scenes vs. Props
The director, Jack Neo, had initially treated durians as mere props for the film. He told local media that the production team didn’t want anyone to eat the fruit because durians are scarce outside of their blooming season. Yet the freshest bunch of durians was just dropped in the mornings, and Yeo Yann couldn’t resist. - Unplanned Slice
During a scene that didn’t involve any durian consumption, Yeo Yann secretly opened a pod and devoured it. “She just ate it without my instructions,” Jean reiterated, laughing about the slip‑up. “She ate the props!” - Why the Fruit?
Yeo Yann explained she’s a lifelong durian fan. “When we heard the movie was about durians, I couldn’t pass up the chance to play the apple of my eye—literally.” Her enthusiasm turned the production into more than a story about love; it became a celebration of the fruit itself. - Extra Scenes for Tastebuds
She also added a custom scene where she roams the plantation, fingers brushing the leaves, and swallows a juicy durian. “The crew kept saying, ‘You can’t eat the durians because we don’t have enough props,’” she said. “I just added my own scene.” - One, Two, Three… Everyone’s Bewildered
Even the extras—who were wielding durians for hours—were told they could not eat them. “Only the female protagonist has this power,” the director chimed in. Yeo Yann’s cheeky remark, “I added my scene but nobody dares to scold me. Sorry director!” got a quick laugh from the crew.
Plot Highlights
In the film, Yeo Yann plays Meilian, the heiress of a durian plantation and magnet for the audience’s hearts. With her husband Jinshui (Mark Lee) off chasing a Vietnamese love interest, Meilian is left on her own, surrounded by a trove of luscious, fragrant fruits. As she falls for childhood friend Maoshan (played by Jack), a plot twist sees Jinshui return to reclaim his wife after 20 years.
Release and Cast Crew
2023’s Chinese New Year will bring King of Musang King to theatres. Henry Thia stars as a dodgy durian trader, Glenn Yong plays Meilian’s son, and Xixi Lim’s role remains a secret—keep your eyes peeled for it. The film promises to deliver more than just a love story; it will let you feel the aromatic breath of the durian jungle.
