Actors Samantha Shu-Chin Ko (柯淑勤) (right) and Frederick Lee (李銘忠) (left) portray a long-time couple in the entertainment industry. (Photo provided by Mirror Media)
The drama Tabloid features a stellar cast, including Samantha Shu-Chin Ko, Frederick Lee, and Edison Song, all delivering standout performances. Shu-Chin Ko and Lee play a long-married but estranged power couple navigating the entertainment world, adding depth to their roles. Meanwhile, Edison Song, known for acting and singing, plays an idol star and even wrote a song for the show.
Director Liang Xiu-hong (梁秀紅) recalled the process of casting the main character, Yao Yuchen. The casting director suggested Shu-Chin Ko, leading to a long discussion over coffee. “Shu-Chin Ko shared many life stories with us and deeply resonated with the script and her character. She said she completely understood Yao’s mindset because she had encountered many similar situations in real life,” Liang explained. Initially feeling somewhat disconnected from the role, Liang found Shu-Chin Ko’s insights transformative. “She brought up nuances that weren’t even in the script, which we then incorporated, making the character richer and more alive.”
However, producer Chen Yu-li admitted that after securing Shu-Chin Ko, another challenge arose—who could match her powerful presence on screen? “Shu-Chin Ko has such a commanding aura, and her on-screen husband is the main antagonist, so we needed someone equally formidable and masculine. After much deliberation, we decided on Lee,” said Chen. Since Lee is younger than Shun-Chin Ko, the styling team intentionally lightened his hair to give him a more mature appearance.
Though Shu-Chin Ko and Lee had never played a couple before, their professionalism and on-set communication ensured a smooth collaboration. One particular scene required them to flirt and tease each other. Shu-Chin Ko proactively discussed safety measures to allow Lee to embrace his role without hesitation. Director Liang also emphasized that while Lee often plays aggressive villains, in real life, he is a true gentleman—polite and respectful on set.
As for Edison Song, who plays the idol Gao You-lin, the role required an actor who was handsome, could sing, and act convincingly—qualities that made Song the ideal choice from the start. Director Liang said thought he had a bright, boy-next-door charm but also exuded a subtle darkness. "Add on that he can not only sing but also write music—it’s truly incredible,” Liang exlaimd.
