Actor Zhang Yaodong has dropped a bombshell by revealing publicly for the first time that he is a father of two.
The 46-year-old, who is believed to be a bachelor, has kept his love life and marital status private after 23 years in Singapore show business.
But on Nov 9, he shared on social media a photo of two girls – who look to be in their tweens or teens – wearing traditional Korean clothing and holding umbrellas, with their backs to the camera and the location indicated as Seoul, South Korea. He did not reveal the identities of the duo or their mother.
“It’s the first time I travelled abroad with my two lovely and beautiful daughters,” Zhang wrote in Chinese. “The trip was short, but meaningful.”
The Singapore-based Malaysian actor added: “I missed out on their childhood for various reasons and I deeply regret it.
“From now on, I will be by their side in every moment of their growth and witness their every step. I will no longer be absent from their life journey.”
Several of Zhang’s celebrity pals, such as DJ-host Dennis Chew, actors Yao Wenlong and Zhu Houren, as well as actresses Angela Ang and Chen Xiuhuan, left heart emojis under his post.
Some netizens asked Zhang in the comments section if he is married and if he truly has two daughters, while others sent their blessings and urged him to be a good father.
Zhang, who starred in the local car-racing movie Oversteer (2024), is currently in South Korea for work and leisure.
More than an hour after his social media post on his daughters, he was part of a live-streaming session with Malaysian influencer Rainbow Sister. According to her Facebook page, she and Zhang have been live streaming daily from Nov 1 to 9.
Zhang was in the news in July when netizens made several allegations about his personal life and partners on social media. His manager later told the local media that he has filed a police report and sought legal advice over the allegations.
In March 2022, he revealed in a post on Instagram that several years ago, his long-time former girlfriend called him to tell him that she was engaged to an Indonesian businessman. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
