10 Years of Ah Boys to Men: Joshua Tan’s Take on Fame, Friendship, and Growth
Joshua Tan, the former Ken Chow of the movie that still feels fresh in everyone’s memory, has had a decade of acting behind him – and it’s been a roller‑coaster of highs, low, and a whole lot of learning.
Fame: A Love‑Hate Relationship
- He admits that the digital era’s blue tick and follower counts have turned into “fame logs.”
- Despite the buzz, Joshua says he’s not really after that spotlight. “I dislike fame,” he joked during his interview.
- His focus is on genuine relationships and quality work, not the numbers.
Back to the Battlefield: Remembering Ken’s Journey
Ken Chow, the reluctant recruit who wanted to chase dreams overseas with his girlfriend, eventually accepted the call of National Service. Through that experience, Ken made close friends – friendships that follow the film into real life.
Joshua, alongside Maxi Lim and Tosh Zhang, kept up the “band‑of‑brothers” vibe set up during filming:
- They’ve stayed in touch across years and meet up whenever possible.
- Those on‑screen bonds turned into lasting friendships.
First‑Time Rookies: The Learning Curve
He reminisced about the early days when director Jack Neo was at the helm:
- “The instructions came fast, and I struggled to keep up.”
- His Mandarin was a bit rusty, which led to funny mix‑ups on set (“go left? I went right!”).
- Pressure from veteran actors like Irene Ang and Richard Low was intense but ultimately rewarding.
Growth Over Ten Years
Joshua feels he’s come a long way:
- “I’m more confident now – nerves are a thing of the past.”
- He’s set a future goal: “By 42, I want to be a respected actor, not a fame‑seeker.”
- He aims for recognition from critics, directors, and producers, rather than fan counts.
From Naive Explorer to Fit Pro
Not only has he improved his craft, his physical fitness has skyrocketed:
- Back in the day he did 50 push‑ups per minute, now he’s tackling “much more.”
- The movie’s demanding pace helped him prioritize health and stamina.
He reflected on Instagram: “Ten years ago, on this day, lives changed dramatically. Back then, I didn’t even share the film project with my friends. Now we’re dads, kids, but we still cherish those moments.”
Joshua wraps up by expressing immense gratitude for a decade of passion and a hopeful eye toward the future
- “I’m beyond grateful to be doing what I love for 10 years and hope to keep acting as long as I can.”
