Xie recently starred in the Channel 8 drama "The Gift of Time" in 2025, where he played a wealthy entrepreneur battling cancer. The role marked his first acting project since leaving showbiz in 2005.

Reports indicate that he had already asked to be excluded from consideration before the awards nominations were finalised, and that he will not attend the ceremony scheduled for April 19 at The Theatre at Mediacorp.

In a message posted on Instagram, he expressed in Chinese gratitude for the recognition he received during his career and credited the success of his performances to the teamwork behind each production.

He also emphasised that awards are the best recognition for young and active actors and should remain so, as he is semi-retired.

"I deeply understand what awards mean to every colleague still climbing the ladder of success; they are a testament to hard work and perseverance, and stepping stones to the next opportunity. Although I had the opportunity to meet the audience last year as Lin Huoyan, I am already semi-retired and hope that the spotlight will remain on outstanding actors who are still active, giving them more opportunities to shine," reads Xei's message when translated.

Born on 15 September 1961, Xie Shaoguang, whose birth name is Cha Shao-kwong, is widely regarded as one of Singapore’s most accomplished Mandarin-language television actors.

He built his reputation through numerous dramas produced by MediaCorp Channel 8 and became one of the country’s most recognisable screen stars in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Over the course of his career, Xie won the Star Award for Best Actor five times, a record that stood for many years and helped cement his status as one of Singapore’s leading television performers.

During the height of his career, Xie appeared in several critically acclaimed series. One of his best-known roles came in the 1998 family drama "Stand by Me", where he played Du Hanmin, a former doctor who becomes paralysed. The series was a major success and won Best Drama Serial at the Star Awards, with Xie himself taking home the Best Actor prize for his performance.

After stepping away from acting in 2005, Xie spent nearly 20 years pursuing other interests. During that period, he worked as a chef and even spent time as a Buddhist monk before eventually returning to the screen in 2024.

Despite his comeback, Xie has suggested he now considers himself semi-retired and prefers that the spotlight shift toward younger actors in the industry.

During her time at KAIST, Ku also developed “Kooroll,” an eco-friendly hair roller, which later won recognition at the 2025 Korea Outstanding Patent Awards. The product was designed to reduce plastic use by around 80% compared with conventional hair rollers, highlighting her growing interest in combining technology with beauty innovation.

The invention has since evolved into a startup venture, with Ku involved in everything from product design to branding and the patent process. The foldable roller was designed to solve portability issues common with traditional rollers and reflects the actress’s expanding role as an entrepreneur.

Ku Hye-sun was born in Incheon, South Korea, in 1984 and rose to fame as a television actress before branching into directing, writing, music and visual arts.

She first gained widespread recognition through Korean television dramas such as "Hearts of Nineteen" in 2006 and the historical drama "The King and I" in 2007. However, her breakthrough role came in the hugely popular 2009 series "Boys Over Flowers" , where she played Geum Jan-di, a spirited student who becomes romantically involved with a wealthy heir.

The drama became a major hit across Asia and cemented Ku’s status as one of the most recognisable faces in the Korean entertainment industry.

She continued to build her career with roles in several well-known dramas, including "Take Care of Us, Captain" (2012), where she played an aspiring pilot, and "Angel Eyes" (2014), a romantic melodrama about two lovers reunited after years apart. She also starred in the medical fantasy drama "Blood" (2015) alongside actor Ahn Jae-hyun.

Beyond acting, Ku has established herself as a filmmaker. She made her directorial debut with the short film "The Madonna", which was screened at international film festivals and won awards for audience appreciation. She later directed her first feature film, "Magic" (2010), which was invited to the Jecheon International Music and Film Festival and the Tokyo International Film Festival.

In 2014, she wrote, directed and starred in the film "Daughter", a psychological drama addressing child abuse and family relationships. The film was screened at the Busan International Film Festival, further establishing her reputation as a creative force beyond acting.