It’s official: Aaron Yan does not wear eyeliner

One of the best things about my job is that I get to scrutinise the faces of good-looking people and call it “research” for my story.

Which is why, after a series of obligatory questions about his career during our interview at Conrad Centennial Singapore, I felt compelled to ask Taiwanese actor-singer Aaron Yan if he used eyeliner in his latest idol drama, Fall In Love With Me. After all, the Taiwanese singer-actor looked very faintly reminiscent of Billie Joe Armstrong in the Taiwanese series, which also stars Tia Li.

“No, I never use eyeliner,” he clarified. “I get this question very, very often. Every time I work on a new drama, my co-stars come up and ask me the same question! I know sometimes my eyes look really defined, but I don’t know why. When I watch television, sometimes I think to myself, ‘Wow, why are my lash lines so thick?’ I give myself a fright too. But no, I really don’t use any eyeliner.”

So maybe Yan, who has some of the most delicate features I have seen on a man, is just naturally blessed with good looks — though they bring along a new set of challenges for the actor. The 27-year-old, who is a member of popular Taiwanese boy-band Fahrenheit, has been cast as the lead in a series of idol dramas in the past few years, including Just You and Alice In Wonder City.

“I think people always cast me in roles that are rich and good-looking, though there are actually many sides to my own personality. In my latest music video, for example, I play a character with a perverse streak. And that is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Yan, who also recently released two solo mini music albums, Drama and Cut. “I want to show people what I can do and the changes I am willing to make. I don’t always have to play good-looking characters — I don’t want to limit what I can do as an actor.”

Q: We hear you’re spending a lot of time working out. Are you also on a diet?

A: I eat a lot, actually. You have to eat a lot when you work out, because you have to have energy. But I eat very simply — the food I eat is poached, boiled or steamed, like broccoli or chicken breast. I usually ask my mother to cook food that I can take to work with me.

Q: Do you get any cravings?

A: Nope, not really. I have become immune to food. Now that I am in Singapore, however, my resolve is failing. (Laughs) Because there is so much good food! But I’ve long become immune to food in Taiwan, like fried chicken cutlet, for example. I don’t crave any of it anymore.

Q: You’ve been in showbiz for nearly 10 years now. Have you thought about what you would like to do in the next 10 years?

A: Yes, I would like to experiment with different music styles, like rap. I’d like to have these elements in my concerts. So for my next few albums, I would like to try setting new trends. I’d like to take Mandopop to new heights.

Q: How different are your goals now compared to when you first started?

A: Actually, I’ve always wanted to do all of these things. In the past, however, I didn’t know how to go about achieving these goals. I have a better idea now. In the past, I used to wonder why I wasn’t getting the good songs and why producers weren’t picking me for the roles that I wanted. I used to blame other people. But now I realise I really have to reflect and see if I am truly prepared for a role or for the stage. Now, I have higher expectations of myself and I know that I have to work hard. So every time people see me, I’d have grown a little more. This is what I am working towards.

Fall In Love With Me premieres on E City (StarHub TV Channel 111/825) on Saturday, Aug 23 at 8pm.