08-08-2025
Romeo Tan learns to 'hold space for others' after new drama, Entertainment News
In this fictional super-aged city, seniors who live alone can get adopted by young people.
Mediacorp's new drama Where the Heart Belongs stars Romeo Tan as Ziyang, a single man who adopts two mothers and a father.
Ziyang's lively household is akin to Romeo's previous living arrangement. Before he moved out in 2020, he lived in a Simei HDB flat with seven family members - his parents, two brothers, a sister-in-law, nephew and niece.
The 40-year-old told AsiaOne in a recent interview: "Both households are always filled with good energy, joy and most importantly, lots of love and support. The only difference is Ziyang has to manage two mums, while I just needed to handle my one and only mother at home."
A quick scroll through Romeo's Instagram account will show his love for his family, with a Highlights page and several posts featuring them. "I enjoy sharing moments with my family on social media because those bonds keep me grounded," he said.
When asked if he would be open to being adopted in his golden years, Romeo replied: "I would love to be adopted by young people if I grow old without kids. It means I'm not alone and still have love and support around me.
"If my nieces or nephews want to adopt me, I'd be very touched. It shows our bond is strong and lasting like family taking care of each other, no matter what." 'A life lesson I'll carry with me'
Romeo told us most of his scenes with his on-screen mothers Xiang Yun and Kym Ng were especially memorable. "Both of them have such a natural, motherly warmth and I could really feel the love and bond on set, especially while we filmed the finale.
"The storyline brought us to a very emotional place, reminding us that one day, we all have to say goodbye to our loved ones. That moment felt incredibly real and stayed with me even after the cameras stopped rolling."
In the drama, Ziyang helps Mingzhen (Denise Camillia Tan), his colleague in the Housing and Senior Affairs Board, resolve her issues with her adopted father (Zhu Houren).
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Romeo said he is someone who is good at conflict resolution and sensing others' emotions.
He elaborated: "I'm a good listener and I tend to be quite patient, which helps when it comes to resolving conflicts or sensing how others are feeling.
"I believe sometimes, people just need someone to listen without judgement and I try to be that person whenever I can."
His time on the drama has proved to be enriching, having further taught him the importance of emotional honesty whether on screen or in real life.
"Through Ziyang's journey, I realised how powerful it is to be vulnerable, listen and hold space for others," pondered Romeo.
"It's not just acting - it's a life lesson I'll carry with me."
At the moment, a personal flaw he has been working on is "being too self-critical". He elaborated: "I tend to overthink my performances and sometimes doubt whether I've done enough. I'm learning to trust the process more and not be too hard on myself. Growth is ongoing, and I'm learning to be patient with myself along the way."
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Now, after 20 years in showbiz, he envisions his acting career to continue growing.
"I believe there's always a place for actors of all ages. In fact, it's the life experiences we gather over time that add depth and truth to our performances.
"Turning 40 and reaching this milestone feels like a new chapter, not the end of one... The next big milestone I'd like to achieve is being part of an international project or meaningful film that really touches people."
Currently, he is in Malaysia filming the upcoming drama Highway to Somewhere, starring alongside Jeanette Aw.
Where the Heart belongs is now available on demand for free on Mewatch and airs at 9pm on weekdays on Channel 8.
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