Cover When former K-pop idol Ferlyn Wong took on the role as Zhang An Ya in ‘Emerald Hill’, she had no idea that her character had a whole other identity (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
When former K-pop idol Ferlyn Wong took on the role as Zhang An Ya in ‘Emerald Hill’, she had no idea that her character had a whole other identity (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
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K-pop singer-turned-actress Ferlyn Wong had no idea her character in ‘Emerald Hill’ had two identities when she first accepted the role. Here, she shares the emotional complexities of the character and how she authentically embodied it
Emerald Hill is the latest buzzword around town and especially so following the conclusion of the 30-episode-long series on April 21. While the hit Mediacorp series saw multiple household names including Jeanette Aw and Zoe Tay, the show also introduced new faces, including Ferlyn Wong.
Also known by her stage name Ferlyn G, Wong is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Some fans may even remember her, albeit from a different sector of the industry. If her name rings a bell, you may recognise Wong as a member of the now-defunct South Korean girl group, Skarf. She made her debut as a K-pop idol in 2012 as part of the four-member band, performing in South Korea and Singapore before the group was quietly disbanded in 2014.
Transitioning from the rigorous K-pop industry in South Korea to Singapore’s entertainment scene was a significant change. After leaving Skarf, Wong initially thought she would leave the entertainment world behind, releasing a couple of singles upon her return before eventually stepping out of the spotlight.
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Above Wong plays Zhang An Ya and Zhou Hong Yu in 'Emerald Hill' (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
Wong plays Zhang An Ya and Zhou Hong Yu in 'Emerald Hill' (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
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“I disappeared because I thought it wasn’t for me anymore. I thought that the efforts and the rewards just didn’t make sense,” she admits. After a hiatus from the industry, a friend encouraged her to try acting. Though initially hesitant, Wong gradually discovered the creative freedom and personal exploration that acting offers while taking on smaller roles.
“I realised the beauty in being an actress, like how much you can explore yourself and how much creativity you can actually put in different roles,” she muses.
Wong’s passion for acting shines through in her latest role in Emerald Hill, where she captivates audiences with her portrayal of a woman caught between two identities: Zhou Hong Yu and Zhang An Ya. In the series, Zhou is an infamous prostitute whose life gets entangled with the Zhangs. She soon learns that she was kidnapped as a baby and was born as Zhang An Ya. This complex character navigates the challenges of identity and family legacy within Peranakan culture.
Above Wong as Zhou Hong Yu (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
Above Wong as Zhang An Ya (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
Wong as Zhou Hong Yu (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
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“When I got the role [to play] An Ya, I didn’t know that she actually had another identity. It was only after I got it that the production team told me the full picture of the character,” she reflects, realising that the role was not going to be as straightforward as she thought.
While she knew she had to put in effort to study the original The Little Nyonya series and immerse herself in Peranakan culture, she hadn’t anticipated the challenge of understanding what it was like to be a prostitute in that era. To gain insight into the emotional and social realities of her character, Wong turned to the 2005 film Memoirs Of A Geisha to better grasp the period’s atmosphere and complex experiences of women in similar roles.
Above Behind the scenes of 'Emerald Hill' (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
Behind the scenes of 'Emerald Hill' (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
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Along with gaining inspiration from the film, Wong began writing diary entries—not as herself but as her character. “That’s when I kind of built my [character’s] own past and training system in the prostitution house. From there on, I naturally got into the mood of what the character would be like growing up,” she explains. This immersive approach helped Wong deeply connect with her dual roles, allowing her to portray the nuanced struggles of Zhou and Zhang with authenticity and emotional depth.
Wong’s dedication paid off, as viewers of the series have praised her for delivering a standout performance throughout the show. Her performance in Episode 28 captured widespread attention online after a particularly intense and emotional scene between Wong’s character and Zhang An Na (played by Chantalle Ng). In this scene, Wong was praised for her deeply nuanced and raw portrayal of her character.
Following the conclusion of the series, the Emerald Hill star sat down with Tatler Singapore and shared more about her experience.
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Above Behind the scenes of ‘Emerald Hill’ (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
Behind the scenes of ‘Emerald Hill’ (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
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You were in Skarf with Tasha Low, what was your experience like working together on Emerald Hill?
I would say vastly different because when we were both in the K-pop group—both our aims and goals were the same. We were both working towards the same thing. We were more supportive of each other because we knew that if we supported each other, we would attain the same rewards and outcome.
As for acting, it’s a different kind of support system because both of us have different roles. This means having different aims and targets to achieve—what I wanted to portray was not what she wanted to portray. At the start, both of us were not in line with the other. It was only later that we would team up together. That said, while it was different, it didn’t take us long to be comfortable with the changes.
Above Wong shares her experience on set of 'Emerald Hill' (Photo: Mediacorp)
Wong shares her experience on set of 'Emerald Hill' (Photo: Mediacorp)
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Mentally, how did you handle such a heavy role in Emerald Hill?
I would say acting saved my mental health. It makes me feel healthier and mentally stronger. When I take up these mentally draining roles, it takes a lot to portray these characters and it takes a lot to step out of them. But because I took up another role while filming Emerald Hill, this provided me with a door to slowly move out of my character as An Ya and Hongyu. I also used exercise to help me get out of [this dark role] quickly.
Above Wong at Malacca's Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
Wong at Malacca's Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum (Photo: Ferlyn Wong)
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What were the most challenging parts to film?
There wasn’t anything shocking or out of the blue. But I would say that the show taught me a lot. After shooting the series, I realised I was able to easily switch in and out of my character. That was a precious lesson and one of my biggest takeaways from the whole experience.
What is next for you?
I’m working on a new project called Spirit Hunters, which will be out in July. It was a lot for me to shoot Emerald Hill while also preparing for my next show. But it was something I really wanted to be part of and this is one opportunity that I didn’t want to miss. The upcoming show is also written by the same scriptwriter as Emerald Hill, so we know that it’s going to be an awesome script. The genre is also very different—something you’ve never seen on Singapore TV.
For the upcoming show, I’m actually going to be singing the main theme song. I really enjoyed the process and I’m not expecting any outcomes from it. To me, the number one priority in my life right now is to just enjoy the process.
This is one drama that I hope Emerald Hill fans will continue to watch. I feel like this is an opportunity where I can prove to people that I can be a chameleon.
Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
