We've lots of catching up to do

In 2011, a gritty Channel 8 drama about wayward youths, On The Fringe, turned good friends Edwin Goh and Ian Fang into local TV's hottest rising stars.

Now, the pair's career paths have diverged somewhat.

While Fang's fame continued to grow and he is recognised as one of MediaCorp's 8 Dukes, Goh has all but fallen off the radar.

What happened to the fresh-faced teen actor who broke onto the scene in 2009 in Channel 5's Fighting Spiders?

The 20-year-old, who recently graduated with a diploma in performance from Lasalle College of the Arts, told The New Paper that "it's a pity I missed some acting opportunities" due to his studies.

He added: "Overall, it wasn't a pity because I learnt a lot in school."

In The Dream Makers 2, his first show with Fang since the 2012 local movie Imperfect, their characters "share a little rivalry".

While the two actors don't have many scenes together, Goh, who plays Huang Biren's eldest son, argues a lot with Fang, who plays a TV star.

"I'm very excited to act with Ian, as we haven't seen each other for some time and we have a lot of catching up to do," he said.

HEALTHY COMPETITION

"Both of us are on the same page. Last time, when we were younger, we used to have a lot of fun. But now, while we still have fun, we (maintain) a certain discipline at work. Whatever competition we have, it's healthy."

Is he peeved that he didn't make the cut for the 8 Dukes, along with MediaCorp heart-throbs Xu Bin, Aloysius Pang, Shane Pow, Desmond Tan, Romeo Tan, Jeffrey Xu and Zhang Zhenhuan?

"It's understandable that I'm not part of the 8 Dukes, as I'm much younger than all of them," said Goh.

"It's also about timing. After The Dream Makers 2, I have to serve my national service. I'm enlisting in August. The Dream Makers 2 is kind of like my farewell project, I'll be back after two years."

Fang, 25, said Goh has "matured a lot" since On The Fringe.

As for their friendship, it's definitely intact.

"I have a lot of friends in showbiz, but nothing beats the feeling I get when I see Edwin again," said Fang.

"Although we don't hang out as often or text each other as frequently, whenever I see him in person, there is a very strong sense of familiarity. Nothing beats that.

"After his NS, I'm sure Edwin will do well in showbiz. He is very good-looking, he can act, plus he has a diploma from Lasalle. He will nail it."

This article was first published on June 22 2015.
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