Rui En
Template:Contains Chinese text Template:Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor Rui En (Chinese: 瑞恩; pinyin: Ruì'ēn; stage name for Lu Rui En, 卢瑞恩, born January 29, 1981) is a Chinese Singaporean singer-actress based in Singapore currently.
Rui En was talent-spotted while appearing in SingTel's popular SingTel hi!Card commercial as the iconic "running girl" in 2001. She was offered a general management contract by Artiste Networks, a section of Hype Records. In 2002, Rui En debuted her acting career in Singapore with her first drama, titled ‘‘No Problem!’’. Since 2004, she has averaged one to three dramas per year. In late 2002, Rui En launched her music career in Taiwan, titled ‘‘Rui ∑n vol. 01’’, under the record company Alfa Music. Rui En released her second album in Singapore under Hype Records, titled ‘‘United Nations’’, in late 2008.
Notably after 2007, Rui En gained a significant pool of fans, earning her the title of Singapore’s Most Popular Local TV Actress[1] in 2010 and subsequently, the title of Singapore's Most Popular Local TV Actor (Males & Females)[2] in 2011. RBKD (Chinese: 瑞不可当) is her official fan club and accordingly to the group, the name was inspired from the Chinese idiom, 锐不可当[3] (pinyin: ruì bù kě dāng), and is to mean 'Rui En is unstoppable'.
Life and career
Education
Rui En was educated at Singapore Chinese Girls' School for both her primary and secondary education. She took up Ballet as a Co-Curricular Activity in Primary Five but gave it up in Secondary One, citing the pressure of coming from a wrong socio-economic class as the reason.[4] She joined the choir in Secondary Three and Four.[4]
Rui En completed her pre-tertiary education in Raffles Junior College[5], in which she won the championship in National Schools’ Hockey Tournament. Despite claiming to be her Chinese teacher's worst nightmare because she was never good in her Chinese,[6] Rui En penned all the lyrics to her second Chinese album, titled ‘‘United Nations’’.
Amidst her hectic schedule, Rui En managed to graduate from Nanyang Technological University with a Bachelor of Business in 2004, specializing in Banking and Finance. In 2007, Rui En was presented with the Nanyang Outstanding Young Alumni Award by her alma mater Nanyang Technological University in the annual affair.[7] She did not attend the ceremony to receive the award personally.
Growing Up
In December 2008, Rui En did a confessional interview with The Monday Interview titled Inside the Outsider,[4] first published on The Straits Times. In it, she confessed that she used to smoke and drink socially, and how she grew up feeling insecure as the only child in her broken family. Her parents subsequently divorced when she was seventeen.
The article struck a chord with the masses, especially those who grew up in similar environment. When asked of her rationale for such a heart-to-heart interview, she was quoted to say, "I am hoping that kids who read this might realise that no matter how bad your family situation is, you have a choice not to be a victim".[4] The article was subsequently translated into a Mandarin version and published on Shin Min Daily News; other publications such as The New Paper and Elle (magazine): Singapore edition, have also taken reference to the article too.
Music career
Rui En ventured into Taiwan in 2002 under the Chinese name of 芮恩 (pinyin: Ruì'ēn). She made her first appearance as the female lead in label mate Jay Chou's Music Video for Secret Code and went on to co-endorse Panasonic GD68 with him. Rui En subsequently released her debut regional Chinese album Rui ∑n vol. 01 in the same year under the co-production of Hype Records and Alfa Music. Jealous fans of Jay Chou were reported to have bore a grudge at Rui En for the help he rendered to her, warning her against getting too close to Jay Chou.[8] There was however, another group of fans who gave Rui En full support on Jay Chou's account. Jay Chou composed the first hit of her debut album Rui ∑n vol. 01, titled White Feather.
Rui En was nominated as the Best Local Singer in the Singapore Hit Awards 2003 and was selected alongside Taufik Batisah to perform both the English and Mandarin versions of the 2005 National Day Parade's theme song - Reach Out For The Skies.
After a six years' break, Rui En released her second Chinese album in late 2008 under Hype Records, titled ‘‘United Nations’’. This album was only released locally in Singapore and all the lyrics were penned by Rui En herself. Since then, she resumed the use of her original name, 瑞恩 (pinyin: Ruì'ēn). In April 2009, Rui En was invited to perform at Singapore Day 2009 at London's Hampton Court Palace, a yearly event organised by the Overseas Singaporean Unit in the Prime Minister's Office to engage overseas Singaporeans.[9]
Rui En is the voice behind the latest Anti-Drink Driving Campaign 2010 theme song - It All Slips Away. The advertorial was released on Channel 5 and Channel 8, ahead of the festive season and is commission by the Singapore Traffic Police Department.
Acting career
Rui En landed in her first ever leading role in 2005, with A Promise For Tomorrow as the bubbly Fang Fang. In the following year, she was identified as one of the most promising young actresses in the Singapore Entertainment Industry by local entertainment magazine I-Weekly and was hence labeled as one of the 7 Princesses.[10] Often dubbed and referred to as the Cool Princess for her nonconforming attitude, she has openly expressed her desire to be recognized and remembered for her performances rather than with the title. Admittedly, Rui En has improved on her acting only after rising to the rungs of leading actresses in the local acting industry.
Despite never picking up a nomination in acting related awards, Rui En has been acknowledged as one of the finest local actress of her generation, receiving compliments from award-winning and veteran actors such as: Adrian Pang,[11][12] Chen Hanwei,[11][12] Chen Li Ping,[13] Chen Shucheng[11][12] & Zhu Houren[14] etc.. Veteran actor Chen Shucheng named her in the company of acclaimed local actresses Huang Biren and Ivy Lee, all of whom, he said, could cry "beautifully" and reflect the demands of the scenes' context.[11][12]
Straits Times complimented Rui En for giving worthy performance [15] in With You and Executive Producer Paul Yuen has also likened her to a younger Sheren Tang,[16] well-known Hong Kong actress whose acting is critically acclaimed regionally.
Hot Favourite for Star Awards: Best Actress 2011
With three dramas, Rui En has been labelled as one of the 10 Faces to watch in 2010 [17] by MediaCorp's Buzz. She is tipped to be a strong contender for Best Actress in Star Awards 2011.[18]
In an interview with I-Weekly, Rui En was singled out by veteran actor Zhu Houren as the most deserving contender to claim the coveted Best Actress recognition in Star Awards 2011.[14] He was impressed by Rui En as Yang Xiaodong in Happy Family, describing it as 'natural' and 'just right' (an industry's term to describe perfect handling of the role, according to him).[14] Known for his daring speeches, he claimed that Rui En should win the award next year unless the judges are incapable of appreciating fine acting.[14] He also expressed his wish to collaborate with Rui En in future.[14]
In Star Awards 2011, Rui En finally picked up her first acting nomination. Widely tipped as the forerunner by the media, Rui En went on to win the coveted title [19]. Rui En acknowledges "there has been more lows than highs" [20] in her career and in her acceptance speech, she said, despite those who said I won't succeed with my personality and image, it shows with hard work you can do it." [19]
Popularity
Since 2005, Rui En has garnered 5 consecutive Top Ten Most Popular Female Artiste trophies in the highly competitive Star Awards, a high profile annual award ceremony organised by MediaCorp Singapore to recognise the best and the most popular in the Singapore Acting Industry.
Following the success of her leading role as An Xiaoqian in Singapore's Best Drama of the year 2007 - Metamorphosis, Rui En gained a large fan following in Singapore.[21] In March 2008, Rui En dethroned Fann Wong (previously a 5 time consecutive winner) in the annual popularity contest - Students' Idols Voting (Acting Category - Local/International), organised by now defunct newspaper, Friday Weekly, to claim the much coveted first runner-up position. The winner of the category went to Jay Chou.
In the year 2009's televised countdown event organised by MediaCorp Singapore's Channel 8, Rui En won one of the eight Top 8 Likable Female Lead Characters awards with her only production that year as Zhang Yu Hang in By My Side. She was rumored by some, to have garnered the most number of votes in this popularity contest. In February 2009, Rui En beat fellow actress Jeanette Aw, hot favorite after the huge success of The Little Nyonya, to the coveted title of Babe of the Year[22] in the annual Flame Awards organised by The New Paper.
In an informal survey conducted by MediaCorp's Branding and Promotion Vice-President Paul Chan, Rui En and Elvin Ng were voted as the Best On-Screen Couple in 2009.[23] Rui En and Elvin Ng also emerge tops as the Favourite On-Screen Partners in the annual Star Awards 2010. They won with their performance as Lin Jiaqi and Sato in The Dream Catchers.
Rui En was voted as the Most Popular Local TV Actress[1] in Singapore Entertainment Awards 2010 organised by Singapore Press Holdings. Voting spanned across 4 weeks and Rui En secured the top position since Day One. In 2011, the Actors and Actresses were grouped collectively to complete in the Most Popular Local TV Actor category, voting spanned across 6 weeks. Despite keener competition, Rui En secured the top position since Day One, and emerged as the Most Popular Local TV Actor[2] in Singapore Entertainment Awards 2011 for the second consecutive year.
In Star Awards 2010, Rui En's role as Zhang Luoyun (My School Daze emerge as the Top 10 Favourite Female Characters while her other role, Lin Jiaqi (The Dream Catchers), emerge as the Top 5 Favourite Female Characters.[24] Voting spanned across 6 weeks and more than a hundred entries were nominated.
Rui En claimed the highly competitive Most Favourite Female Character award [25] with her role as the likable Yang Xiaodong (Happy Family) in Star Awards 2011. Results were solely determined by online votes and Rui En led in the top position since Day One. However, she lost out in the Favourite On-screen Couple (Drama) [26] category with a top three final position.
Controversies
Missing out on Best Actress Nomination: Metamorphosis
In 2007, Rui En caused an uproar in the virtual community when she surprisingly missed out on a nomination in the Best Actress Category in Star Awards 2007 organised by MediaCorp Singapore, for her breakthrough role as Assistant Superintendent An Xiao Qian in Metamorphosis. An online petition was initiated with hundreds of signatures submitted, prompting MediaCorp Singapore's media team to interview recognized actor Chen Han Wei and Ivy Lee [27] for their takes on this issue. Subsequent reporting were published on online news, Xin.sg [27] and leading Chinese local newspaper, Lianhe Zaobao.
Role Rejection: The Defining Moment
In March 2008, Rui En was involved in a high profile rejection of the role as an ambitious businesswoman struggling with mental illness in The Defining Moment, which subsequently went to Fann Wong instead. She was reported to have rejected the role due to a rape scene in the script. Rui En is known to be firm on her stance against intimate, revealing or kissing scenes and has been criticized by some as unprofessional. She is reported to have been blacklisted by some producers[4] after this role rejection incident but her supporters have vouched unwavering support.
Missing out on Best Actress Nomination: By My Side
In April 2009, despite an informal viewers' survey labeling Rui En as a strong contender [28] for the coveted Best Actress Award in the annual Star Awards organised by MediaCorp Singapore, Rui En again missed out on a nomination for her role as AIDS patient-cum-volunteer Zhang Yu Hang in By My Side. Her poor public relations skill was thought to be a contributing reason to why she has never garnered any nomination in the acting categories despite being generally acknowledged as one of the finer local actresses of her generation. However, she picked up her fourth consecutive Top Ten Most Popular Female Artiste trophy despite not being present at the Star Awards 2009 due to overseas work commitment.
Community
Rui En is the theme song singer for the Community Chest Singapore. The song, titled Listen to Your Heart, has been released in the form of EP in years 2003 and 2009. Despite her hectic schedule, Rui En is a regular volunteer at Beyond Social Services.[29] She has expressed her wish to remain low profile with regards to her volunteering as she has no wish to utilize this to benefit her public image.[30]
Rui En has also participated in the various charity events such as True Hearts Charity Show, President's Star Charity Show and Sichuan Earthquake Charity Show to name a few.
Discography
| Rui En discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 2 |
| Compilation albums | 2 |
| Music videos | 7 |
| Singles | 3 |
Solo albums
- Rui ∑n vol. 01 芮恩Rui ∑n同名專輯 (December 2002)
- United Nations 共和國 (October 2008)
Compilations
- Morning Express VI 阳光系列6 (2003)
- This compilation album consists of Rui En's The Way To Be Happy 快乐方式 (Track 3) and Test 考验 (Track 9). The songs were released under Rui En's birth name - 卢瑞恩 (Lú Ruì'ēn).
- Celebrating 25 Years Of Chinese Drama Collector's Edition 戏剧情牵25 (2007)
- This album is a Collector's Edition comprising of memorable theme songs spanning across the Singapore Chinese Drama's Twenty-Five years' History. Tracks from Rui En include a remix version of The Way To Be Happy 快乐方式 and Unfreeze 解冻. The songs were released under Rui En's stage name - 芮恩 (Ruì'ēn).
Singles
- This is the theme song for Community Chest Singapore and there are English and Mandarin versions to this song. The songs were released in the form of a Single.
- Reach Out For The Skies (2005)
- This is the theme song for National Day Parade, 2005 and there are English and Mandarin versions to this song. Music Videos were produced for both versions.
- A remix version of the theme song for Community Chest Singapore, the Mandarin track was first performed on televised charity show, TrueHearts Show 2009. The EP released in November 2009 consisted of the original tracks and the remixes in both English and Mandarin. This graphic artwork for this Single was designed by Rui En's fan club, RBKD, on behalf of Community Chest Singapore.
Drama Theme Songs
- Beautiful Connection - The Way To Be Happy 快乐方式 (2003)
- This song was nominated as Best Drama Theme Song in Star Awards 2003 and was first released in Morning Express VI. A remix version was released in Celebrating 25 Years Of Chinese Drama Collector's Edition.
- No Problem! - Test 考验 (2003)
- This is an insert song released in Morning Express VI.
- Love at 0°C - Unfreeze 解冻 (2006)
- This was Rui En's first set of self-penned lyrics published and also her first and only theme song for the drama she is starring in. This song is released in Celebrating 25 Years Of Chinese Drama Collecter's Edition.
- By My Side - Slow Dance 慢舞 (2008)
- This is an insert song found in Rui En's United Nations.
Filmography
MediaCorp Channel 8 Dramas
| Year | Title | Role | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | No Problem! | Jessica | Rui En's debut drama. |
| 2004 | My Mighty-in-Laws | Li Yingying 李盈盈 |
|
| 2005 | You Are the One | Yukikko How Hao Meide 郝美德 |
|
| Beyond The aXis of Truth II | Fang Xiuxiu 方秀秀 |
||
| A Promise For Tomorrow | Fang Fang 方方 |
Rui En's first leading role. | |
| 2006 | Love at 0°C | Sun Yixin 孙逸欣 |
See also: Drama Theme Songs by Rui En |
| 2007 | Honour and Passion | Bao Wenwei 宝文卫 |
Second highest rated drama of the year. |
| Metamorphosis | An Xiaoqian 安晓茜 |
Star Awards for Best Drama of the Year 2007. See also: Controversies: Metamorphosis | |
| 2008 | By My Side | Zhang Yuhang 张宇航 |
Top 8 Most Popular Female Characters. See also: Controversies: By My Side |
| 2009 | The Dream Catchers | Lin Jiaqi 林佳琪 |
Star Awards for Top 5 Favourite Female Characters & Best On-Screen Couple with Elvin Ng. |
| My School Daze | Teo Luoyun Isabel 张洛芸 |
Star Awards for Top 10 Favourite Female Characters. | |
| 2010 | Happy Family | Yang Xiaodong 杨小冬 |
Star Awards for Most Favourite Female Character - Yang Xiaodong |
| With You | Yap See Kee 叶思琪 |
1. Highest rated drama of the year. 2. Rui En's first Best Actress nomination & award. 3. Star Awards for Top 3 Favourite On-Screen Couple (Drama) | |
| Unriddle | Hu Xiao Man 胡小曼 |
||
| 2011 | A Tale of 2 Cities | Zhang Ya Le 章雅乐 |
|
| The In-Laws | Wang Jia Zhen 王佳珍 |
||
| On The Fringe | Sha Sha 莎莎 |
||
| The Righteous | |||
| 2012 | Unriddle II | Hu Xiao Man 胡小曼 |
First sequel produced by MediaCorp in 6 years. |
Other Notable TV Programs
| Year | Title | Type | Channel | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Gotcha I | Variety | Channel 5 | Co-Host: Kui Jien |
| Chemistry | Drama | Channel 5 | Role: Rachel | |
| A Toast of Love | Sitcom | Channel 8 | Role: Angela | |
| 2004 | Achar II | Sitcom | Channel 5 | Role: Stephanie |
| 2005 | High On Life | Drama | Channel 5 | Special Appearance |
| 2008 | Sense of Home: Kampung Kid (Cambodia) |
Telemovie | Channel 5 | Role: Caroline |
| 2010 | Lodge With Me: Hokkaido | Travelogue | Channel 8 | Host |
Awards/Achievements
| Year | Organisation | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Singapore Hits Awards | Best Local Singer | Nominated |
| 2003 | Star Awards | Best Drama Theme Song: The Way to be Happy (Beautiful Connection) | Nominated |
| 2004 | Star Awards | Most Popular Newcomer | Nominated [31] |
| 2005 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste | Won [32] |
| 2005 | 8 Days Readers' Choice | Favourite Feisty Girl | Won |
| 2005 | The Flame Awards | Incredible Shrinking Woman | Nominated |
| 2006 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste | Won [33] |
| 2007 | Nanyang Alumni Awards | Nanyang Outstanding Young Alumni Award | Won [34] |
| 2007 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste | Won [35] |
| 2007 | Urban by Straits Times | Top 10 Fashion Icons | Won [36] |
| 2008 | Students' Favourite Idols | Actors/Actresses (International/Local) | First Runner-Up [37]
|
| 2008 | Channel 8 Countdown Party | Top 8 Likable Female Lead Characters: Zhang Yuhang (By My Side) | Won |
| 2009 | The Flame Awards 2008 | Babe of the Year | Won [38] |
| 2009 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste | Won [39] |
| 2010 | Singapore Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Local TV Actress | Won [40] |
| 2010 | Star Awards | Favourite Female Character: Lin Jiaqi (The Dream Catchers) | Top Five [41]
|
| 2010 | Star Awards | Favourite Female Character: Zhang Luoyun (My School Daze) | Top Ten [41]
|
| 2010 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste | Won [42] |
| 2010 | Star Awards | Favourite On-Screen Partners: Rui En + Elvin Ng (The Dream Catchers) | Won [43] |
| 2011 | Singapore Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Local TV Actor | Won [2] |
| 2011 | Star Awards | Most Favourite Female Character - Yang Xiaodong (Happy Family) | Won [25] |
| 2011 | Star Awards | Favourite On-screen Couple (drama): Rui En + Chen Han Wei (With You) | Top Three [26]
|
| 2011 | Star Awards | Best Actress: Yap See Kee (With You) | Won [19] |
| 2011 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste | Won [19] |
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