Phyllis Quek

Last updated

Phyllis Quek
Born (1972-08-23) 23 August 1972 (age 51)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
  • former model
  • host
Years active1995–present
AgentHype Records
Spouse
David Cox
(m. 2012)
Musical career
Genres Mandopop
Instrument(s) Vocals
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 郭妃麗
Simplified Chinese 郭妃丽
Hanyu Pinyin Guō Fēilì
Jyutping Gwok3 Fei1 Lai6
Hokkien POJ Koeh Hui-lê
Tâi-lô Kueh Hui-lê

Phyllis Quek (born 23 August 1972) [1] is a Malaysian actress and singer, known for her lead roles in the film 2000AD co-starring Aaron Kwok, and as 'Bai Mudan' in the popular television series Legend of the Eight Immortals .

Contents

Quek was a full-time Mediacorp artist from 1995 to 2001, and was ranked by local media as the 'Fourth Ah Jie' for being the fourth most prominent actress in Singapore's Chinese-language entertainment industry of that time after Zoe Tay, Fann Wong and Ann Kok. She left Mediacorp after her contract expired but continues to film on an ad-hoc basis and is currently managed by Hype Records.

Early life

Quek was born in Malaysia to a single–parent family and was raised by her grandmother. [2] She moved to Singapore when she was seven to study. [2] While studying, Quek stayed at her mother's relatives' homes, rotating among relatives every few months. [2]

Career

Rise to Prominence

In 1995, Quek participated in Mediacorp's Star Search and won third place in the talent show. [3] She was subsequently cast in Beyond Dawn (女子监狱) for which she was awarded the Best Newcomer Award at MediaCorp's Star Awards in 1996.

Following her 'Best Newcomer' win, Quek emerged as one of the most popular actresses in Singapore's Chinese-language entertainment industry. Most notably, Quek starred as Bai Mudan in the popular television series Legend of the Eight Immortals. [3] In recognition of her popularity, local media crowned her as the Fourth Ah Jie, after Zoe Tay, Fann Wong and Ann Kok [4]

In 2000, Quek starred alongside Hong Kong actors Aaron Kwok and Daniel Wu in the movie, 2000 AD . [3] Through this action film, she gained exposure in the Asian media industry and was featured in the book, Singapore Cinema by Raphaël Millet. [5] Following this film, she performed as a supporting actress in a Raintree Pictures film, The Tree .

The recording of the theme song of her earlier drama, The Other Parent (妈妈先生) and Mind Games (危险人物) marked the beginning of her career as a singer. She then released her debut album, Phyllis, under Hype Records which contained primarily dance tracks and singles from the soundtrack of The Tree and Beyond The Axis Of Truth (法医X档案). Phyllis guest starred in Channel 5's crime drama series Heartlanders 2 where she played a stalked actress. Her song, 不知不觉, was featured in the series, and became a radio hit along with her other single, Freedom. However, the album did not mark the start of a longstanding music career for Phyllis and it was to remain her first and only album.

Quek's contract with Mediacorp expired in 2001 [6] and she later signed with Hype Records Artiste Networks.

Venture Overseas

After joining Hype Records, Quek set her sights on expanding her career regionally. She made her debut in Taiwan headlining the idol drama My Fair Lady (丑女大翻身), in which she donned prosthetics to play an overweighed woman.

Throughout the 2000s, Quek starred in many regional productions from Taiwan and mainland China, including portraying the role of Yin Susu in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (2003 TV series) co-starring Alec Su and Alyssa Chia.

In 2009, Quek garnered recognition for her performance in Perfect Cut II. She was cast alongside Christopher Lee as the female lead in the film Kidnapper (2010).

During this period, Quek won seven Star Awards for Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes.

Return to entertainment industry

After marrying Australian businessman David Cox in December 2012, Quek took a hiatus from showbiz.

After a seven-year absence from acting, Quek made her return in the 2017 drama Legal Eagles, portraying the role of an unscrupulous middle-aged businesswoman, Fang Hai Lun. [7]

Since then, Quek has occasionally taken on acting roles in Singapore, appearing in supporting roles in dramas like Soul Detective [8] and My One and Only.

Endorsement

Quek's first major endorsement deal was for Japan's Bigen Prominous hair dye in 2001. In December 2003, she was announced as Marie France Bodyline's spokesperson.

Personal life

Quek married Australian businessman David Cox in December 2012. [6]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
1996Ace Cops 妙警点三八
1997Hope 人间有梦
2000 2000 AD [3]
Born Wild 野兽之瞳
2001 The Tree
2003Good Luck 齐鸣大吉
2009 Autumn In March Lee Siqin
2010 Kidnapper
2011 The Ultimate Winner Zhang Zhifang

Television series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef
1996Beyond Dawn 女子监狱
Marriage, Dollars & Sense 5C 老公 [2]
Brave New World 新阿郎 [2]
1997Longing 悲情年代
Crimes and Tribulations - Price Of Passion 狮城奇案录之俪人巧骗
My Wife, Your Wife, Their Wives 101老婆之99朵玫瑰
The Other Parent 妈妈先生
From The Medical Files 医生档案
Dreams - Miss Freckles 七个梦
1998Mind Games 危险人物
The New Adventures of Wisely
Legend of the Eight Immortals
1999Lost Souls 另类佳人
PI Blues 乌龙档案
From The Medical Files 2 医生档案2
2000On The Frontline 穿梭生死线
The Invincible Squad 迷幻特警
Adam's Company 亚当周记
2001Devil's Blue 叛逆战队
My Fair Lady 丑女大翻身
The Hotel
2002Sonic Youth 极速青春
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber
2003Palm Of Rulai 新如來神掌
True Heroes
A Child's Hope 孩有明天
Carry Me Fly And Walk Off 带我飞 带我走
When The Time Comes 一线之间
2004Love Contract 爱情和约
Man At Forty 跑吧,男人!
Lover Of Herb 香草恋人馆
2005The Scarlet Kid 红孩儿
The Little Fairy
Angel Lover 天使情人
2006 Rhapsody In Blue
2007 Live Again
City Fables - Daybreak 都市寓言之一日情
2008Addicted To Love 都市恋人的追逐
2009Perfect Cut II 一切完美2
2010 The Best Things in Life
2017 Legal Eagles Fang Hailun [9]
My Teacher Is a Thug Lian Jiaxuan [9]
2022 Soul Detective Yu Jiachun [6]
2023 My One and Only He Yurou

Hosting

Discography

Singles

AlbumTrackSong titleTelevision seriesTheme
阳光系列24只要你肯尝试薯条 汉堡 青春豆Main Theme
8无价之宝妈妈先生Main Theme
阳光系列36但愿卫斯理传奇Sub Theme
10宁愿你平凡危险人物Main Theme
阳光系列41不能没有爱穿梭生死线Main Theme
阳光系列61分享大酒店Main Theme
4仿佛大酒店Sub Theme
11Freedom / 不想说 Remix
阳光系列711好天气孩有明天Sub Theme
Phyllis1Freedom
2没心情孩子树Sub Theme
3Limit Of My Heart
4着迷迷幻特警Sub Theme
5阵雨
6失去孩子树Main Theme
7Enjoy
8不想说法医X档案Main Theme
9不知不觉Heartlanders 2Sub Theme
10睡美人法医X档案Sub Theme
11Daze孩子树Sub Theme
骏马奔腾庆丰年1气势如虹
2大旺年
38方吉祥样样红
4招财进宝 + 财神到
5大地回春 + 除夕合家欢 + 恭喜恭喜 + 恭喜发财
6挂红灯 + 挂彩灯
7新年团聚
8春暖花开喜洋洋
9拜年
10十二生肖走一回
11过个快乐年
12大拜年 + 拜天公 + 庆元宵
肥羊肥年1年年丰收好
2肥羊肥年
4同欢共乐
5五大财神迎春来
6春之晨
9挂红灯 + 挂彩灯
11富贵年年福星照: 齐唱新年好 + 大年初一头一天 + 新春大吉 + 富贵年 + 齐唱新年好
12恭喜恭喜贺新年
An Evening With The Stars2Freedom
6不想说法医X档案Main Theme
Unreleased-疑惑迷幻特警Main Theme
-每一天的思念真心英雄Sub Theme

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef
1996 Star Awards 1996 Best Newcomer Won
1997 Star Awards 1997 Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Top 10
1998 Star Awards 1998 Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Top 10
1999 Star Awards 1999 Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Top 20
2000 Star Awards 2000 Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Top 10
2001 Star Awards 2001 Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Top 10
2002 Star Awards 2002 Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Top 10
2003 Star Awards 2003 Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Top 10
2004 Star Awards 2004 Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes Top 10

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References

  1. "Phyllis Quek Celebrates 50th Birthday, Doesn't Look Her Age At All". 8 Days.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Phyllis Quek Moved From One Relative's House To Another When She Was A Kid, Says She Lacked A "Sense Of Security"". 8days. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Phyllis Quek, 48, Is As Gorgeous As Ever". TODAY. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  4. "Remember Ah Jie 郭妃丽 (Phyllis Quek)? Here's what she's up to now". Goody Feed . 22 September 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  5. Millet, Raphaël (2006). Singapore cinema. Singapore: Editions Didier Millet. p. 104. ISBN   981-4155-42-X. OCLC   69974754.
  6. 1 2 3 "Phyllis Quek, 50, Doesn't Think She Is A "Hardcore Tai Tai", But Feels Blessed To Be Able To Do Whatever She Likes". 8days. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  7. "Phyllis Quek returns to TV in a sultry role". 8 Days . 22 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  8. Khoo, Yi-Hang (15 November 2022). "'I trusted him': Phyllis Quek cast by Zheng Geping as rich housewife but unexpectedly needed to perform action scenes". AsiaOne . Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  9. 1 2 Auto, Hermes (8 June 2021). "Actress Phyllis Quek unfazed by unkind talk about her marriage | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 16 December 2022.