Who’s afraid of Constance Song?

“Welcome to Hell!” beamed Constance Song, standing at the gateway to Haw Par Villa’s Ten Courts Of Hell. If she were the keeper of the Gates, she mused, she’d welcome those passing through them with a big smile — because “that’s just good marketing”.

The astute actress returns to our television screens after a two-year absence — her last show was The Quarters — to star in HBO Asia’s new original production Grace, a four-part miniseries about a family haunted by the supernatural. The show, which also stars Russell Wong, George Young and Pamelyn Chee, has been described as “Asian horror” and there’s nothing more Asian and horrifying than the heritage theme park Haw Par Villa.

“I can’t remember how long ago I was here,” Song declared. “Probably when I was in school. So, it’s good to be back again today.”

It was probably a good thing we were there in broad daylight, though, because while Song is fine with watching horror films, she’s easily spooked when it comes to real-life frights.

“I went to a theme park in Korea and was forced to go into the ‘horror tunnel’ with my friends,” she recounted. “It was torture. It was so dark you couldn’t see anything. As you walk through, people touch your hand and grab your leg. I was holding onto my friend’s shoulder so tightly that I think I injured it. I won’t do that again! I don’t want to go in — not even if you pay me.”

For someone who stars in a scary show, she’s a bit of a scaredy cat. “I might see a friend hiding in a corner and know he or she is going to jump out and scare me — but I still get scared!”

Ironically, though, Song feels that people are scared of her. “They say I intimidate people, like, ‘Don’t come near me.’ I think it’s my face, lah. I’ve got a very serious face.

“But actually, I’m not (intimidating), really. Don’t be scared, okay? My friends always tell me, ‘Once you open your mouth, you ruin it all. Don’t talk.’ Actually, I look classy — until I start talking.”

Even though she is known for her villainous and home-wrecking roles in Channel 8 dramas — she won a Best Supporting Actress Star Award for her baddie role in 2010’s The Ultimatum — it’s actually comedy that floats her boat.

“I just took up a guest role for the Channel 5 comedy Koji Cooks (premiering next January),” she said. “I absolutely enjoyed it so much. I’ve always wanted to do comedy. So, I’m very happy now. I get to choose roles that I want to do. I’m happy that people get a chance to see the other side of me.

“Now they realise, actually I’m quite humorous!”

Her current favourite topic is Murphy, the two-and-a-half-year-old golden retriever she adopted six months ago. “I’ve had Yorkies and shih tzus. This is my first big dog,” she said.

“When I was driving home with him in the back of my car, I was like, ‘Did I make the wrong decision?’ Because he was so big and he produced more of everything: Drool and pee!” she added. “He turned out to be the sweetest dog I’ve had. He’s my love. My only love. Ask me which man I love the most — only him. I always hug him and say, ‘You’re my man.’

“I hope I find somebody like my Golden!”

On top of her acting projects, this businesswoman is also busy with Bam!, her tapas and sake bar on Tras Street that opened last December.

“I’m pretty busy now, learning how to do marketing,” she said. “I only know how to eat. I love food. But I don’t cook. Why I went into this, I have absolutely no idea, either. I think it was just fated.”

But don’t call her a power woman. “Can I not be ‘power’?” she said. “It’s very stressful. It’s better to be a pampered woman — other people work, you enjoy. You don’t have to worry about anything. But too bad, I don’t belong there! I can only envy tai-tais. So shiok — every day just go shopping.”

She laughed: “It’s good — I’m keeping myself busy!”

Catch Grace starting on Oct 17 at 10pm on HBO (StarHub TV Ch 601).

CREDITS

Hair and makeup: Joanna Ang, Sono Bello (9695 3772) using Make Up For Ever

Romper: Ange Revolte, S$179; Necklace: MU, S$39; both from Workshop Element

Photography: Jason Ho