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Nick Teo Changed His Chinese Name ’Cos He Was Sad People Could Recognise Him But Struggled To Say His Name

The Mediacorp actor who used to hide from the spotlight hopes to reach new heights in his career after changing his name from Zhang Junyu to Zhang Yikai.

Nick Teo, 32, wants everyone to know that he's now known as Zhang Yikai (), instead of Zhang Junyu (鈞淯), which according to the Mediacorp actor, was a mouthful.

In fact, the name Junyu was such a tongue twister even Nick himself had trouble saying it at times.

Unlike Ian Fang, who announced last week that he was reverting to his original Chinese name as he was seeking a, um, “reinicarnation” of sorts, Nick says he changed his name solely because he wanted something that was easier for others to pronounce.

When 8days.sg caught up with Nick, who is currently shooting Mediacorp drama Soul Detective, over voice messages earlier this week, he explains why a name change was necessary eight years into his acting career.

“All along there had been people who [told me] my Chinese name is not easy to read, say and remember. But I did not really put it to heart. Until recently, a lot of the people I see on the streets would come up to me saying they know me, but did not know my name. I found it disheartening,” Nick says.

He then recalls how the original plan was to just change his social media handles to his Chinese name but they eventually decided on changing his name altogether.

According to Nick, many people, including colleagues he worked with had no idea what his Chinese name was. Thus, he chose Yikai as his new name as “Yi sounds like the number one [in Mandarin] and Kai is quite commonly used [in Chinese names]”. 

Hong Ling reassured Nick that his new name was much easier to say

But why change his Chinese name when most of us know him as well, Nick, anyway?

“I feel that as an actor from Ch 8, most of the audiences are still Mandarin-speaking and they will relate more to an easier-to-say Chinese name,” he says.

When we ask Nick if he read the comments on 8world’s IG post saying that his new name is still difficult to read, Nick says he was initially worried.

“Some comments even said they know me as Zhang Junyu, better for me not to change, but actually… I haven’t met someone who can call me by my Chinese name yet, so I still think it’s better for me to change.”

Nick’s girlfriend, Hong Ling, also allayed some of his worries by assuring him that Yikai was much easier to pronounce.

Here's one from the archives – Nick was the winner of 8days Shirtless Guy Shirt back in 2012.

 

Back in 2012, a fresh-faced Nick joined the 8days Shirtless Guy contest with the single goal of getting a Mediacorp contract. To his surprise, he ended up winning the contest and got his wish.

On the experience, Nick says: “Until now, I am still wondering how I did it. I did not have the best body and I was not the most good-looking guy. [Neither was I] the hot favourite.”

Looking back, Nick says he believes he did well in the competition because young Nick “thinks a lot less” and was more focused on what he really wanted at the time, which was the contract.

When asked if he remembers anything from the competition, Nick chuckles before saying: “All I remember was the cringey impromptu performance I did on stage. I also remember taking a picture with Romeo [Tan].”

Nick looking all suave (left) in Ch 8 drama, In Safe Hands (2022)

Nick made his acting debut in 2014 in Ch 8 longform drama 118. To him, the past seven years have “zoomed past” and he never imagined he would be able to stay in this job for so long.

He reveals that when he was younger, he never had any specific goals. What he did have was the dream of being a superstar. And he only found the courage to pursue it in his 20s.

While Nick admits that he used to hide from the spotlight because of a lack of confidence, he now feels ready for people to know him more. And for those who don’t know him to notice him in a good way.

Since he’s ready to shine, a very determined Nick says he’s been waiting and looking forward for more important roles.

"I believe that everything happens for a reason, I have been getting more major roles recently and I believe by performing well in them, [I will] earn more recognition from the industry,” he says.

Photos: Nick Teo/ Instagram

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Nick Teo hong ling Chinese Name In Safe Hands

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