Zhang Zhen Huan to move back to China for good

​After 10 fruitful years with Mediacorp, Sichuan-born actor Zhang Zhen Huan has decided to pack up and relocate back to his home country, China, after his artiste contract expires this month.

“I’m deeply grateful for the company’s commitment to cultivating and honing my talent,” shared Zhen Huan in a statement. “I hope to be given opportunities to work with Mediacorp again on future projects.” He also extended his “personal and heartfelt thanks to [his] fans for their support and encouragement over the past decade”.

“He has our encouragement as he brings his craft, passion and dreams with him into new territories,” said Ivy Low, Head of The Celebrity Agency. “We’re open to collaborating with him in the future, and wish him every success.”

According to The Celebrity Agency, Zhen Huan was unavailable for an interview as he was busy preparing for his move back to China and would only share a simple message: “Thank you for everyone’s concern.” Toggle was also unable to reach him through his personal phone number.

​The 34-year-old started his showbiz journey in 2008 after emerging as the first runner-up in Channel U talent search programme You Are The One, while he was still a Civil Engineering undergraduate at the National University of Singapore. After signing on with Mediacorp, he made his acting debut in 2009’s star-studded primetime drama The Dream Catchers alongside Rui En, Tay Ping Hui, Jesseca Liu and Shaun Chen, before proceeding to expand into other areas of entertainment such as hosting and even a stint as a radio DJ.

His hard work, talent, and charm paid off not just in the form of a sizeable, loyal fan base, but also many notable awards and nominations. To date, the shiny Star Awards accolades in his trophy cabinet include those for Best Supporting Actor (for The Dream Makers II in 2016), three Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes (from 2014, 2016 and 2017), as well as Favourite Male Character and Favourite Onscreen Couple (both for World At Your Feet in 2015).

​​Although the exact reason for his departure – as well as when he’s jetting off – is unclear, it wouldn’t surprise us if it has something to do with his Chinese girlfriend, former makeup student Sally Pan, whom he went public with in April this year.

Zhen Huan has admitted to us that his folks have been rushing him to settle down, and although he claimed during our last chat that “it’s still too early” to talk about marriage, their seemingly endless dates all over the world (as documented on Instagram) suggest that the relationship is going extremely well, and that good news may be on the horizon much sooner than he let on.

In any case, we wish Zhen Huan all the best.