Kym Ng is dressed in her finest heartlander auntie getup. And by that we mean a too-big-for-her-frame T-shirt with cat motifs and a pair of comfy-looking black pedal pushers for those daily wet market excursions. Tucked under her armpit is a tote bag, which is also embellished with cat motifs so we’re guessing, she’s not just an auntie, but a cat lady too. We’re at the imaging session for upcoming Ch 8 drama Dear Neighbours, where Kym Ng plays Lin Shu Juan, a garang fish stall owner. Also in the studio this morning is actor-cum-tarot card reader Yao Wenlong, who plays her hubby in the drama.

As always, the spunky Kym is the life of the party, and wherever she goes, laughter follows. Case in point: She and Wenlong are now chuckling over the actress’ im-puss-ibly cute outfit and her laughter is so infectious that we can’t help but find ourselves giggling along too, even though we don’t really know what the joke is about.

There’s no doubt that Kym is one of the most popular women in Singapore — seriously, good luck finding someone who has something bad to say about the pint-sized dynamo — but little is known about Kym’s private life. Details about her husband, whom she got married to in 2009, are especially scant. Even more surprising is how, in this day and age, no photo of the couple has made its way onto social media.

In fact, the actress-host, whose real age is still a mystery, has kept such a low profile that her brothers’ colleagues didn’t even know that they’re related to Kym until they saw her at her father’s wake. #truestory.

So we decided to sit her down after the imaging sesh to learn her secret to keeping things secret.

8 DAYS: You are one of the most-loved stars in Singapore. Does being Kym Ng ever get to you?

KYM NG: Not really. I’m fortunate that most people like me. Not everyone likes me, but most people are really friendly to me wherever I go. They would praise me when I bump into them at the hawker centre, and I am so thankful for that.

Do people always expect you to be bubbly, friendly and funny?

Of course. But I’ve met people who told me that because I’m a star, I’ve got to smile more. There was once I was on an escalator, and I didn’t notice a fan staring at me. She told me I was being rude, so I apologised to her, and explained that I was too caught up in my thoughts. Honestly, I felt it was a bit too much for the public to expect me to notice everyone around me, but I didn’t want to argue so I just said sorry.

What do you on days that you just don’t feel like entertaining anyone?

Usually I’ll say okay when people want to take pictures with me… unless I’m in a hurry.

So what are the perks of being Kym Ng?

(Laughs) People usually give me bigger portions of food when I go out for meals, and I do get discounts when I go shopping. I get faster service, too!

Everyone knows that you are fiercely private about your personal life, so how do you deal with kaypoh neighbours?

Fortunately, I don’t have very nosey neighbours. I stay in a private apartment in Ang Mo Kio, and I’m surrounded by ang mohs. Even if I do bump into my Chinese neighbours, nothing fazes them anymore because I basically grew up there. When they see me and my husband together, we would just greet each other, like normal people do. They all know I live next door.

What sort of neighbour do you think you are?

I would say I’m a “bochup” neighbour. Like I won’t specially bake a cake, or give them things, or go over and introduce myself.

Have you gotten into disputes with your neighbours before?

Nah and that’s because I’m quiet and prefer to live my life peacefully (laughs).

You once said that you do not want to have kids. Is this something that you still stand by?

Yes. I will not [have kids] because I enjoy my time with my husband. If I have kids now, there’ll be a lot of commitment and responsibilities. I used to want to get married and have a dozen kids, because I have four brothers and they love me very much. But as I grew older, I realised it’s not that easy. As it is, it’s already tough getting along with someone else’s family. What if your kid grows up to be someone you don't like? You still gotta force yourself to love him. You’ll need to sacrifice everything for them and when they do something you don’t approve of, you’ll guilt trip them and at the end of the day, everyone just feels bitter. I personally do not want to be caught in this situation, blaming my children for all the suffering I’ve been through just to have them. Of course there are tons of parents doing it willingly, but I would like to keep it simple, and simple is beautiful.

But don’t you feel lonely with just you and your husband?

I like it quiet. Because of my job, I am constantly surrounded by people and it’s just too noisy. I actually enjoy solitude a lot and it took me many years to get used to my job. Fortunately, my husband is very open and loving, he does not force me to do things I don’t want to do.

How did you guys meet?

I’ve known him for a long time, and we met at a social gathering when I was still an air stewardess. He’s very adventurous and we travel together a lot.

Do you think there will ever be a day you post his picture on Instagram?

(Laughs) Everyone is only interested in my husband. Nobody is interested in my brothers, and I don't post pictures of them either. My husband doesn’t want to be in the limelight because it simply doesn’t help him. In fact, it’s more of a hindrance than a perk. He is just a regular worker in a travel agency. Imagine if everyone keeps hounding you just because you’re my husband — it will get very annoying. It doesn’t do us any good, unless he’s a businessman then yes, my connections might help him. But he’s not. I don’t see the need to bring him unnecessary trouble. It’s not just him, even my brothers stay away too. It’s not that they’re not proud of me. They just don’t want busybodies constantly keeping tabs on our lives. My brothers’ colleagues came to my father’s wake, and asked him, “Why is Kym Ng there?” It was only then did they realise that they’re my brothers. They’ve got the right to keep their privacy and I respect that.

Don’t you want them to show you off more, though?

No, not at all, please don't show me off. I don't want to mix my work and my private life. I don't want to be known as someone [famous] on my days off. If you treat me like a celeb, that’s fine. But I will not behave like one and demand royal treatment. I don't expect people to know me. But if I go shopping and you recognise me, then good lah, please give me better service! (Guffaws)

When you’re out with your husband, do you guys purposely avoid crowds?

No, we don’t purposely. Honestly, nobody dares to approach us anyway because my husband looks very fierce (laughs). But I will still oblige for pictures if people approach me!

You are an avid runner. Where is your favourite place to go running?

I run at Bishan and Ang Mo Kio, where my mum stays, and Marina Bay Sands! My husband and I used to run together, but over time, I ran further and further, so now he chooses to cycle instead. He does more chill sports, like golf, and I play table tennis.

Do you still play table tennis? We hear that you were once good enough to try out for the national squad.

No lah! Where got! People just think I’m good, but sometimes I do go to China to train with a Chinese coach. I don't spar with other people, I just play with the coaches recreationally. I take it as a workout.

If you weren’t a celebrity now, what do you think you would you be doing?

I would definitely be a classic housewife. There was once I stayed at home for an entire week and didn’t step out of the house. My husband was overseas at that time, and I think he was horrified to know that I ate biscuits all day too. It’s such an irony that I’m in this line. I’m just so introverted!

Dear Neighbours debuts next May on Ch 8