SINGAPORE – Local actor-host Chen Shucheng has won his first international accolade at the ContentAsia Awards 2025 after more than 60 years in the entertainment business.

Chen, 75, clinched Best Supporting Actor in a TV Programme/Series (Silver Award) for his role as brothel owner Gao Guangsheng in Mediacorp drama Unforgivable (2024), a drama on sex-related crimes.

The Gold Award for Best Supporting Actor went to Taiwanese actor Syu Hao-siang for The Bliss (2025), while the Bronze Award went to Taiwanese actor Ban Tieh-hsiang for Still Me 2 (2024).

More than 150 programmes were nominated at the 6th annual ContentAsia Awards, with the list of winners announced at a live-streamed ceremony in Taipei on Sept 4.

Chen told Chinese-language evening daily Shin Min Daily News that he was happy with his win.

“Winning this award at my age is quite precious. It proves that there is no age limit for acting,” he said. “Everyone has a chance if he or she lands a good role, works hard and delivers a strong performance. That’s the charm of the acting profession.”

Chen was previously nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the same role at Mediacorp’s Star Awards in July, but he lost out to Chen Hanwei who acted in the same drama.

Hence, Chen Shucheng told Shin Min that he did not harbour high hopes for his nomination at ContentAsia Awards 2025. He said being recognised by the international awards show was already a great achievement, and that he was both delighted and surprised at the win.

The veteran artiste added that he tries to breathe new life into any acting role he takes on, so the character will stand out.

In one of the most memorable scenes in Unforgivable, Chen had to hide in a garbage bin with cockroaches crawling all over his body.

“The judges probably thought this actor was quite dedicated – to still be hiding in a garbage bin and acting with cockroaches at my age,&rdquo...