Each Chinese zodiac animal is known to have characteristics unique to their sign.
In 2020, we celebrate the end of the year of the Pig and usher in the year of the Rat. Those born under this sign are known to be adaptable, outgoing and sociable.
Moreover, they’re known to be hard and smart workers that reap success on the work front. So it should as no surprise that there are many well-known celebrities that are born in the year of the Rat. Here’s a shout-out to some of them.
Han Geng might be best known as a former member of popular South Korean boy band Super Junior, who had given us hits such as Sorry Sorry. Since his departure, Han has been busy starring in films such as Zhao Wei’s directorial debut So Young (2013), Ex-Files (2014) and The Great Detective (2019).
2020 started on a high note for Han too as he had tied the knot with Hong Kong-American actress Celina Jade on New Year’s eve. Yesung from Super Junior also shares the same Chinese zodiac sign as Han.
Rainie Yang is not an unfamiliar face for those who enjoy Mandopop and Mandarin film and TV. Since her debut in 2000, the former Taiwanese girl group member has produced smash hits that showcased her diverse prowess in both singing and acting.
Yang married her boyfriend of four years, Chinese singer Li Ronghao, in September 2019 and had dropped a new album Delete Reset Grow two months later. 2020 also marks Yang’s 20th anniversary in showbusiness.
Also known as A-Mei or Amit, Chang Hui Mei needs no introduction. After all, many of us grew up belting her songs in karaoke since her debut in 1996.
A-Mei has continued to bless us with albums such as Truth (2001), Amit (2009), Faces of Paranoia (2014) and Story Thief (2017). It’s no wonder then that A-Mei is often referred to as the Queen of Mandopop – an accolade we wholeheartedly agree with.
On weekends, many of us like to unwind with a bout of Netflix (here are the Netflix shows to binge on in 2020) or brunch with the girlfriends. But for others, getting in a good laugh with Korean variety programs such as Running Man is something we look forward to all week.
With his glib tongue and quick wit, South Korean comedian and host Yu Jae-suk has been entertaining us on the small screen with other shows including Happy Together, Hangout with Yoo and most recently, Two Yoo Project Sugar Man.
A-Mei might reign supreme in Mandopop, but Sammi Cheng rules Cantopop. Debuting at a tender age of 16 in 1988 after winning a talent competition, Cheng has gone on to sell millions of records worldwide with over 80 studio albums under her belt.
In the acting world, Cheng is no small fry either. She has starred alongside heavyweights including Andy Lau and Louis Koo and had barely lost to Zhang Ziyi (in The Grandmaster) at the 2013 Golden Horse Awards for her role in Blind Detective. Cheng’s most recent film appearance was as Acacia in a heartwarming family-themed film Fagara (2019).
One-fifth of South Korean girl group Red Velvet, Park Soo-young is better known as her stage name Joy. The group has been commended frequently for their versatile musicality and image that centres around a duality of being young and feminine while also having an evolving sound.
Joy has also dabbled into TV having starred in shows such as The Liar and His Lover (2017) and Tempted (2018) and variety programs including the recently debuted Handsome Tigers (2020).
Since his breakout role in TV series Black & White (2009) for which he had won a Golden Bell Award for Best Actor, Mark Chao has been enthralling us with his good looks and superior acting chops.
Other memorable appearances include Monga (2010), Caught In The Web (2012), Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings (2018). Chao has since tied the knot to Canadian-Taiwanese actress Gao Yuanyuan in 2014, with whom he has a daughter with. Chao is slated to star in a Chinese movie adaptation of the Japanese novel Onmyoji this year.
Many of us might remember South Korean actress Yoon Eun Hye for her roles in popular dramas such as Goong (2006), Coffee Prince (2007) and Missing You (2012).
But did you know, Yoon used to be a singer in popular first-generation K-pop group Baby Vox? After a five-year hiatus following a plagiarism controversy, Yoon returned to the small screen with Love Alert (2018) and Go Go Song (2019). Here’s hoping that we will see more of the prolific actress soon.
After clinching the female champion at the 2003 Star Search Singapore, Felicia Chin has gone on to cement a place for herself in the local television scene.
The former national softball player now counts as one of the most popular female actresses, with an extensive portfolio including Women of Times (2006), The Golden Path (2009) and The Journey: Tumultuous Times (2015). Chin is also happily attached to colleague Jeffrey Xu.
Since the creation of South Korean girl group Twice by JYP Entertainment, Momo has been involved in smashing records and setting new heights for the Korean Wave. Don’t let her age fool you.
The Japanese performer is known as one of the main dancers of the group and has been consistently one of the most popular members. Other members Sana, Jihyo and Jeongyeon also share the same Chinese zodiac as her. Earlier this month, it was reported that Momo is dating Super Junior member Heechul.
Singer-actress Kit Chan, 48, who is also Her World’s Young Woman Achiever in 1999, is best known for her song Home, which has become a National Day standard and a favourite of Singaporeans of all ages.
She has also starred in various musicals including Snow.Wolf.Lake, opened two boutiques and released a collection of poetry. Adaptable and industrious, Chan certainly embodies the best traits of those born in the Year of the Rat.