The Unexpurgated interview with Alexander Lee Eusebio

SINGAPORE — We’ve seen our fair share of stars in expensive suits, gowns or, at the very least, skin-tight jeans.

So when we arrived at East Coast Park for our interview with Alexander Lee Eusebio, we were pleasantly surprised to find him sitting in the shade, playing video games in a bathrobe. Later on, he would be seen cycling around in the same bathrobe, the wind in his dark brown hair, and his attentive minder following dutifully behind.

The former member of Korean boy band U-Kiss plays one of the lead roles in Michelle Chong’s upcoming film 3 Peas In A Pod and he was in the middle of doing a commercial shoot for denim brand Denizen, directed by Chong as well. (The 25-year-old is a Denizen Brand Ambassador and an artiste with Left Profile, an artiste management agency founded by Chong.)

The bathrobe wasn’t part of it, of course. The actor-singer was merely in-between scenes. And we must admit, we were just a teensy bit disappointed when he put on a polo tee for our interview.

But then we realised that Alexander Lee Eusebio, whose infectious laughter and boyish demeanour has won half a million followers on Twitter, is not quite your regular K-pop star.

***

Q: So 3 Peas In A Pod is your first film. Can you tell us the best and worst things about shooting a movie?

A: The best thing is that it’s a new experience for me. Yeah, something new I can try after working for years in showbiz. The bad thing is it’s new so it made me really nervous. (laughs) But it was fun. The good thing was that it was a road trip.

Q: You mentioned before the interview that there was a limit to the number of hours you guys could work on set?

A: Yeah! It was so limited. Every day, we just worked for a few hours, so for me — for us — it was really easy. But for Michelle, I’m sure it was stressful because everything had to be done, you know, fast, fast, fast. Because sometimes, whenever, like, one car suddenly gets lost, we have to wait and it’s a waste of time. I admire how Michelle really controls the whole situation. But for me, it was really relaxing.

Q: Did you find time to sneak out?

A: The whole crew was always together. So whenever we sneak out, we sneak out together. Eat some nice food, especially...I like it when we all move together. It really makes us closer. As the movie goes, we get closer.

Q: You play the bad boy in the film?

A: Oh yeah, kind of! (laughs)

Q: How different or similar are you to your character?

A: I would say Peter and me in real life are quite different. But of course we have a lot of similar parts. The difference would be how Peter is a millionaire! (laughs) A rich boy. And he’s a really cool and quiet person, really chic, charismatic. But you know me, I’m like a firecracker, talking blahblahblahblahblahblah! The similar thing is that we (both) like to hide our feelings inside. We have a strong (sense of) pride, also. We don’t like to expose what we are thinking.

Q: What’s the creepiest thing a fan has ever said to you?

A: Creepiest thing? (pause) Creepiest...I wouldn’t say creepiest...those are X-rated. (loud laughter) Creepiest thing, like X-rated stuff. Like, hey, I wanna have your baby. But I think the thing that really scares me is when people spam my Twitter saying the same message.

Q: Can you recognise the people who tweet you when you see them at fan meets?

A: Some of them I do, actually. I see their face and their name, and I recognise them. But some of them I don’t recognise if they use other pictures.

Q: You move around so much, and now you’ve signed a contract with Michelle Chong’s artiste management agency Left Profile. Do you think you’ll ever settle down here in Singapore?

A: It’s hard to get a citizenship here as well! (laughs) I think I don’t have to move here because I come often anyway. It’s already like my second home.

Q: But every time you come, is there something that you look forward to?

A: Besides Michelle, I really like how you have all kinds of food — Chinese and Singaporean food. I like chilli crab, pepper crab.

Q: Every time a K-pop band comes, they say they eat chilli crab.

A: Yeah, chilli crab. I’ve eaten it so many times but I’m still not sick of it! It’s really yums. (laughs)

Q: How is Michelle Chong as a director? Is she very serious?

A: Very serious. Normally you know how she’s very friendly. (laughs) But when she works she’s very professional. Very precise with what she really wants to do. And the good thing is that she is a perfectionist but she doesn’t really stress people. Like she says (it’s) up to you, do whatever you want, and she will just suggest that you do a little bit of this and that. And since it’s my first movie, she taught me so many things. I really like her a lot.

Q: And how do you spend your days off? How many days off do you get in a week, or a month?

A: Oh, it’s random actually. Sometimes, every day (I’ve got) nothing to do. But normally, on my days off, I have to go to the gym, I have to exercise, maintain myself, practise singing. During my free time, I go and watch a movie with my friends, and eat good food. Yah, ‘cos I cannot always eat crazily. Just once or twice a week.

Q: And do you get to see your family, because you move around so much?

A: Not really. Like once a year, or twice?

Q: I see that you have a lot of fans on Facebook who have questions for you. But do you have any questions for your fans?

A: I’m interested to know what they want to see me doing. Because every time, I’m just doing (things because) of my own interest and personal achievements, like I want to do this or that. I’m most curious (about) what fans like me to do, whether they would like me to act more, sing more, dance more. I am always curious.

Q: What is one special talent that your fans don’t already know about you?

A: I have sharp eyes. Not only can I see a wide range of stuff —

Q: Your peripheral vision?

A: Yeah! And I could also see through, like, when something is happening, people try to hide. I don’t know why, but I can sense it, I can see it very quickly and catch it. So if anything happens, when we are together with the staff and (they say) “What do we do, we have no idea how this would work”, I’ll be like “deng!” I got it. I don’t know why! I don’t do it on purpose. Like naturally.

Q: Are you very observant? Is that why?

A: I am very extreme. When I am observant I can observe really well. But most of the time I blank out. (laughs)

Q: You’re based in Korea now and you have an apartment there.

A: Yeah, I live with my aunt, actually, and my grandma, so it’s good. I’ve lived alone before (but) family is really important. I don’t feel lonely (now). At least I wake up early every day, and I eat food properly.

Q: And you get home-cooked food.

A: Yeah, that’s the best thing! I don’t have to go out and buy and cook by myself.

Q: I read somewhere that you’ve never had a girlfriend. Is that true?

A: No! Yes! I don’t know. Is it a yes or a no? Uhm ... I would say, officially, yes? (high-pitched laughter) Oh my gosh! Yeah. When I’m not ready, I don’t want to have any responsibility...

Q: Commitment?

A: Any commitment, yeah! Exactly. I find commitment a really serious thing to consider. So I’ll focus more on my work. Who knows, maybe, my first relationship will be my last. My first, my last! Getting married! I want to get married! Have kids!

Q: Was it awkward doing that kissing scene in 3 Peas In A Pod? That was intense.

A: Oh yeah! I was worried because at first I didn’t really know (lead actress) Jae (Liew). But the good thing was it was a road trip, it was really building us (up), and we know each other well. And actually I was quite surprised because I thought the kissing scene would be at the end, close to the end, when we’re more comfortable. But it was in the middle! So… arrgh!!! It was a little awkward for me, but I also want to thank Jae. Because she was also very cooperative. I was really nervous, you know. I was, like, “Should I brush my teeth? Should I get a gargle? Mouthwash?” Michelle was really professional. She made everybody go out. She really, really cares for us, really well.

Q: Was it your first on-screen kiss?

A: Yeah! It was so weird and awkward because my idol image is “Oh, I never date, I never hold hands”. And then now, all of a sudden, boom! Kissing in a scene! I think that was a bit shocking for the fans, but I think it’s time. I am not young. We should show more of my mature side.

Michelle Chong’s second film, 3 Peas In A Pod, stars Alexander Lee Eusebio, Calvin Chen and newcomer Jae Liew, and premieres on Nov 14.