In a recent online junket, young actor Kimson Tan shared his thoughts on being tapped as the lead star in the film King of Hawkers, which will begin production in Singapore next year.
In this international project, the 23-year-old Sparkle artist will work with Singaporean director Kelvin Sng and will train with Singaporean chef John See, who is known for his work as the food stylist in the hit 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians.
Kimson said he feels both the pressure and excitement for the project as he will fulfill his lifelong dream of being recognized worldwide. He will represent both GMA Network and the Philippines with his upcoming endeavor.
“To be honest, medyo nakaka-pressure, at the same time, excited. Pressured kasi I’ll be the first in the Philippines, with GMA, to be collaborating with AOR Global, so kumbaga, ako ‘yung una. I have to really give my best in everything that I do right now, lalo na I’ll not only represent myself, but I’ll also be representing GMA Network and the Philippines in Singapore,” he said.
“Excited kasi, this has been my dream to go international, and it’s happening right now. It’s really happening right now, and nagsi-sink in na siya unti-unti because I’m working with a multi-million dollar director in Singapore, Direk Kelvin Sng. Sobrang laking privilege sa akin. I’m really honored to work with Direk Kelvin,” he added.
Kimson also shared how he knew about the project and how the important role landed on his lap.
“Actually, the first time na nalaman ko about this project was my handler asking me if I could speak Mandarin or Hokkien. That’s the requirement of the film, tapos sabi ko naman, ‘I can do it.’ I just sent a video with me speaking in Chinese, introducing myself in Chinese din. After that, right after a few days, we had a meeting with Miss Priscilla, the head of AOR Global,” he said.
Kimson also said that his knowledge of the Mandarin language, which came from growing up in a Chinese-Filipino family and attending a Chinese school in elementary and high school, became crucial in helping him secure the role.
He also described his character in the film, which will focus on Singaporean food and culture, as well as family. He said that he could relate the film’s story to his grandparents.
“When I got the character sketch, the first thing that came to my mind was parang, ‘This was written for me talaga.’ It was close to me kasi yung sa story neto, may kinalaman din siya sa grandfather nya, and ako, I grew up with my grandparents so sobrang lapit ng role sa akin talaga,” Kimson said.
In preparation for his upcoming international film debut, Kimson has been learning to cook from home, feeling his way around the kitchen, and training to improve his craft.
A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, Kimson is a talent of Sparkle GMA Artist Center wherein he appears in some projects from the Kapuso Network, such as Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters and the upcoming and much-awaited Voltes V: Legacy. Before working with GMA, he appeared in the 2020 Pinoy boys’ love (BL) series In Between (Sa Pagitan ng Kamusta at Paalam).