YOU’VE RECENTLY BEEN POSTING MORE ONLINE CONTENT LIKE FOOD VLOGS AND GADGET REVIEWS. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU’VE BEEN MAKING AN EFFORT TO CONNECT WITH YOUR FOLLOWERS ONLINE. DO YOU THINK IT’S IMPORTANT FOR AN ACTOR TO CREATE CONTENT TO BE POPULAR THESE DAYS – IS ACTING NOT ENOUGH ANYMORE?
To answer that straight out, I say yes. I’d say that it’s very important and right now, the good thing about social media is that we are able to take the initiative to do what we want. It’s really like a blank piece of paper where you can do whatever you want to do, create photos, avant garde fashion or short content. I feel like with the advancement of social media, everyone can really rise up and engage as long as they have great content.
So with regards to acting in Singapore, yes, (content creation is important). I feel that it depends on what you want at the end of the day. For me, what I’m pursuing is that I want to expand on the facades that I have besides acting. I hope that with my free time, while not disturbing my craft of acting, I will be able to craft more entertaining content for whoever is out there.
YOU SPOKE ABOUT VENTURING INTO SOCIAL MEDIA DURING OUR LAST INTERVIEW AND IT’S GREAT TO SEE YOU BEING MORE ACTIVE ONLINE THESE DAYS. HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR NICHE?
I think that’s the million dollar question everyone asks. Right now, definitely not. The only niche I have is ‘Zhang Zetong’. Besides that, I think I’m still all over the place, but I feel that I’m cherishing this time where I put up whatever interests me without marrying myself to a niche yet.
The gurus online say you have to have a niche but for me, it’s like I don’t want to box myself up with a singular niche first. Food is something I’m interested in – I just ask myself what kinda content I want to do while still enjoying myself. I genuinely want to find nice food or different places, or new gadgets that I would buy and try out myself. These are just extensions of what I like as Zhang Zetong and I feel like I’ll do that first and see what sticks.
There was a period of time that I thought I could be a finance bro, like a ‘finfluencer’, that’s the word. But I don’t think… it’s a very small and niche community. A lot of people who follow me might not necessarily like finance content lah. It’s (too) niche, like credit cards, miles, and investments. I was chatting with this guy who makes a living out of writing about finance investments and thesis and methodologies, and he (told me) one wrong move could cost your entire career. I think that’s quite risky in the finance world, and I’m not ready to jump into all that lah.
SO FINANCE IS SOMETHING YOU’RE BIG INTO?
Yes. Wah, I feel like financial literacy is a compulsory subject for all working adults. The good thing is that a lot of working adults in Singapore are talking about it.
I joined a few thriving online communities where they discuss a lot about things like cards, how you spend your money, how to save, and how to invest stuff like that. I feel like if you want to be responsible for your wealth, financial literacy is as good as learning English.
DO YOU MANAGE YOUR OWN FINANCES?
Yes, not very (well) but I am doing that now. I don’t need an accountant yet, I hope I will get there one day.
THESE DAYS, IT’S EASY TO GO LIVE AND CHAT WITH YOUR FANS? ARE YOU EVER AFRAID THAT YOU’LL SAY SOMETHING WRONGLY?
On live? Yes a hundred percent, ‘cos I feel that when it comes to live you weigh between being entertaining and wanting to engage the fans every minute. As much as I watch my words, when it comes to trying to be entertaining on live it’s so easy to make a mistake and just shoot your mouth. Whatever you say will be frozen in time, and it’ll all be on you. So yeah, it’s a concern. I don’t have that many opportunities to go on live anyway, but I’m a cautious person for sure.
WE RECENTLY SAW AN IG VIDEO WHERE YOU PICKED THE CHOICE OF HAVING 10 SUPPORTING ROLES OVER ONE LEAD ROLE. WHY THAT CHOICE?
I feel that in one lead role, you develop one character whereas in 10 supporting roles, you develop 10 characters. You’ll be able to hone and develop your skills more. Of course there’s pros and cons and different actors will have different opinions about this. If I get supporting roles like Richard Mo in All That Glitters it’s a very good gain for me’ cos it’s a lot of growth in one character. You never know if you make it big playing a lead role or a supporting role. Statistically if you try 10 times, it’s a lot easier to succeed than just one time.
Catch Zetong in Once Upon A New Year’s Eve on mewatch. Once Upon A New Year’s Eve also airs on Channel 8, weekdays, 9pm.
This story was originally published in 8Days.