'I consider Chow Yun Fat more a friend than an idol': Li Nanxing
But the most memorable reunion came in the form of the 30th anniversary edition's special guest, Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun Fat, who was on hand to present awards - just like how he did at the inaugural ceremony in 1994.
Back then, Chow famously remarked that Li resembled him, adding: "Please don't come to Hong Kong, or else I will not be able to make movies any more."
At Star Awards 2025, Chow, 70, called out 60-year-old Li's name twice while onstage, when he rallied the local actors in the audience from the 1994 batch to go onstage for a wefie. Li was also the first artiste to receive a hug from Chow.
Li said it was the pair's first reunion since 1994, but they did not get to chat offstage as Chow was "very busy".
Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat (left) giving Singaporean actor Li Nanxing a hug during the Star Awards on July 6. PHOTO: ENTERTAINMENT - MEDIACORP/YOUTUBE
Li recalled: "So many people wanted to take a photo with him, and I felt so lucky to have been called.
"I have always looked up to Chow and have seen so many of his movies. In some ways, I did try to learn from him. So for him to remember me three decades later, it meant a lot to me. I consider him more a friend than an idol."
Hong Kong actor Chow Yun Fat (in white suit, in foreground) during the Star Awards on July 6, taking a wefie with stars who attended the first edition of Star Awards in 1994. PHOTO: MEDIACORP
Li was speaking to The Straits Times on July 14 at the new Jurong Point outlet of home-grown restaurant brand Nan Yang Dao, which official opens on July 25.
At the event, he unveiled two limited-time collaborative dishes that feature his LNX Dried Scallop Hae Bee Hiam - Hae Bee Hiam XO Penang Char Kway Teow With Double Egg ($12.80) and Ah Ge Fried Bee Hoon With Tiger Prawns ($12.80).
Li launched his hae bee hiam (spicy dried shrimp sambal) brand in 2021, and it was improved in 2024 with richer shrimp and scallop flavours.
Ah Ge Fried Bee Hoon With Tiger Prawns. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Li also revealed more about how he plans to celebrate his 40 years in showbiz, after debuting in the 1986 Chinese-language drama Crossroads.
On Nov 29, he will hold a 40th anniversary event in Shanghai, China, with an estimated 800 fans, including those from Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. He also plans to join a Huangpu River Cruise to admire the nighttime scenery together with attendees of an eight-day Jiangnan Gourmet Autumn Tour, departing from Singapore on Nov 23 and organised by local tour agency SA Tours.
During the event, he might shake fans' hands, sign autographs and even belt out a number or two.
"It all depends on what requests they have. Maybe it is to sing some theme songs or act out certain roles? I just want to thank my fans for their support all these years.
"Did you know many fans in China like Mediacorp dramas?" he shared, namedropping his period drama The Great Conspiracy (1993), which was partly filmed in the Chinese province of Shanxi and in which he played Shen Chong, a killer skilled in martial arts.
Li added: "In China, old televisions series are often replayed. I was once welcomed by Chinese fans with banners saying 'Shen Chong is back', and they told me they had seen the show on television just a few years ago."
"Other fans in China who watched it when it first aired are now aunties. But they bring their children and grandchildren - three generations - to see me, and it is great. They give me lots of local products, such as tea and peanuts, and I have to book a van to take all of it back to my hotel."
Reflecting on his four-decade career, Li shared that there were lows, like when viewers made "hurtful" comments about him portraying villains in dramas such as Coup De Scorpion (1999).
In any case, acting has taught him much about life, while allowing him space to play and experiment.
He recently played a cash-strapped single father in the family drama Uniquely Ours (2024), and will return to the small screen as a disgraced doctor in dystopian thriller series The Leftovers, set to premiere in October 2026.
Outside of the entertainment industry, Li remains passionate about his other businesses.
He established artiste management company LNX Global in 2003, which manages actresses Constance Song and Vivian Lai, actor Shane Pow, UFM100.3 DJ Luo Kemin and actress-influencer Julie Tan.
In 2021, he opened dessert shop Tian Wang, now located in Keong Saik Road, where he has been spotted playing cashier and waiter. In addition, he has collaborated with other F&B businesses over the years, such as Chinese hotpot chain Chamoon Hot Pot on a bak kut teh broth in 2024, and casual restaurant chain Yun Nans on a number of spring menu dishes in 2021.
He said: "I love cooking. And food is something I feel very strongly for, especially Nanyang cuisine, which has a distinctive Singaporean flavour. I love going to other countries to spread awareness about our food. And whether it is in food, acting or life, there is still a lot more to learn, experience and enjoy."
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