Taiwan's little big star Xiao Xiao Bin charms the elderly like a pro
HE IS only five years old, but Taiwan's hottest child star Xiao Xiao Bin (also known as Little Bin) gave the local media a taste of his professionalism when he was in town over the weekend.
The cherubic and effortlessly cute Bin - who acts and currently hosts variety programme The Kid Is Very Busy with veteran compere Tseng Guo-Cheng - paid a visit to 50 elderly folks at Redhill Moral Seniors Activity Centre last Friday.
Bin was accompanied by his dad, 30-year-old Wen Chao-Yu - a former child actor who shot to fame in the 80s with the moniker Xiao Bin Bin - and his younger brother Mini Bin, four.
When the boy arrived at Redhill, he rubbed his eyes repeatedly and looked slightly dazed.
The trio had just touched down at Changi Airport, and had headed for the centre immediately.
Bin, whose real name is Wen Xuan Ye, appeared to be suffering from jet lag and lack of sleep.
But the scene-stealer of Taiwanese idol dramas like Autumn's Concerto and P.S. Man showed that he had learnt the ropes of being a consummate entertainer from his father.
Although tired, he complied with requests for photographs, flashing his trademark toothy grin.
It didn't take long for Bin's boundless energy to return.
He jumped around as he and Mini (whose real name is Wen Xuan Yi) distributed packets of vegetarian bee hoon and goodie packs to the senior citizens.
'This is so heavy,' exclaimed Bin while carrying one of the goodie packs.
'Come on, don't pretend,' his dad shot back at him.
The old folks guffawed as Bin cheerily proceeded to balance the goodie packs one by one on his head.
When actor-radio deejay Marcus Chin strutted out dressed as an elderly lady and ordered Bin to call him Ah Ma (colloquial Hokkien for grandmother), Bin's instant response was: 'But you are a man.'
When quizzed what Singapore souvenir he would buy for his dad, Bin laughed and said: 'Smelly tofu.'
Smelly tofu, a type of fermented bean curd with an extremely strong odour, is a Taiwanese dish which is not widely available here.
Perhaps Bin, who performed yesterday with his dad at the Let's Celebrate! concert held at Kreta Ayer People's Theatre, was in good spirits because his estranged mother had recently taken the initiative to contact her kids.
Wen and his wife have been divorced since 2007, with Wen awarded custody of Bin and Mini.
Not once in the past three years has Bin's mum returned to see her tots - till last week.
Just a few days before the Wens landed in Singapore, the Taiwanese press reported that Bin's mum, who owns an optical shop, is 'on speaking terms' with her ex-husband and children.
'Still friends'
Confirming the news, Wen told The New Paper: 'Yes, we are in touch. Even though our marriage has ended, we are still friends.'
He revealed that 'the kids are our priority now' and the pair have even made plans to set up an education fund for their boys.
Wen, who once acted opposite Samuel Hui and Andy Lau at the peak of his child star career, explained that he had 'misunderstood' his ex-wife.
'Admittedly, I was angry at her for not wanting to see our children, but she has told me the reason she stayed away for so long.
'She was worried people would comment that she's back only because she wants to make money off Bin.'
Does Bin hope to see his dad and mum reunite as a loving couple?
'Yes,' he said, nodding furiously.
The New Paper
Posted 10 August 2010 - 06:20 AM by sChiZoO14
Taiwan's little big star Xiao Xiao Bin charms the elderly like a pro
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