Social-media obsessed, narcissistic gym trainers Hans (Joshua Tan) and Johnny (Darryl Yong)’s rivalry heat up screens in this week’s edition of A Selfie’s Tale, with the two squaring it off in – where else – the gym. The two lads, however, were quick to clarify that they are nothing like their fame-loving reel-life selves.
“We’re definitely not similar. The dress code, for one, is not something I’d wear because this is way too sexy for me,” Darryl chuckled. “The only similarity between us is that we work out – I work out to look good but Johnny does it to show off.”
Joshua chimed in, “At the start of the series, Hans is a self-oriented guy and is really happy that he transformed to what he is because he was really fat while growing up. Now that he’s lean and tall, he wants to show off to everyone (and) likes to post pictures online for people to look at.”
Grinning, he continued, “The difference between Hans and I is that although I do like to take care of my body, I rarely post more revealing stuff online because I prefer to keep my clothes on in general. But if the show requires it, then bo bian (I have no choice).”
The pair are no strangers to showbiz, with Darryl being a former Project SuperStar and Star Search contestant. In addition, he has a long string of projects to his name – including Against the Tide, Mata Mata: A New Era and Point of Entry 2 & 3. Joshua had his first breakout role as the spoiled brat Ken Chow in Ah Boys To Men and has gone on to star in numerous productions, including Channel 5’s Lion Moms.
In comparison, the rest of the cast includes fresh faces to the acting scene, including 987 DJ Sonia Chew and YouTube star Audrey Goh. Darryl added that despite that being his first day on-set, he felt that everyone was “doing very well”, a sentiment fellow cast-mate Joshua Tan concurred with.
“No no no, I don’t normally give acting advice to others (because) I feel that acting is something that should be natural and come from yourself. I’ll only help if someone asks me for help,” Darryl hastily replied.
Joshua added, “Darryl has been acting for ages, but I guess I’m slightly more experienced within the main cast. It’s Sonia’s first time and I think she’s doing really great!” the 25-year-old mused.
“I don’t remember doing so well on my first time so I really have nothing but good things to say about her. She wakes up at 5am for her radio show every morning and comes to set after 10am. We shoot till midnight at times so she’s really hardworking as well.”
The atmosphere while Toggle on-set was nothing sort of riotous, with the cast bursting into laughter and falling into easy banter between takes. The positive energy, they disclosed, was what kept them going while keeping up with the grueling filming schedules.
Joshua explained, “I try to have fun on set, if not work will end up being a drag. We make an effort to connect to one another and help each other when we’re in a fix, so it’s a win-win situation. You don’t want to sabo your co-stars because they can sabo you back too. You obviously want the best of each other to make the best production possible.”