Call her a late bloomer.

MediaCorp actress Kate Pang was named Best Newcomer at the Star Awards last year.

But the former model from Taiwan is no young newbie - she turned 30 two weeks ago, Speaking to The New Paper at the press conference of new Channel U drama Start Up! last Thursday, Pang was not too concerned about being 30.

"I'm fine with it because many people tell me I don't look like I'm 30," she said in Mandarin, laughing.

"I don't think age matters, as long as I'm still in good form."

She is also not worried about starting off at an age where other actresses may have already established themselves.

Pang made her debut in the 2011 Channel 8 drama A Tale of 2 Cities after impressing a panel of MediaCorp judges during an open audition in Taiwan.

"There are roles for all ages," she said.

"If producers think I look old, then maybe I'll take on older roles. That time will come anyway."

Meanwhile, she is fine with taking on younger roles, like that of 23-year-old computer programmer Dobbie in Start Up!, which premieres on Thursday at 8pm.

And she was unfazed even though she did her first bedroom scene. It was with actor Zhang Zhen Huan and left them "hot and sweaty".

"That's because we were wrapped up in a thick blanket," she said, laughing.

Pang said she was not worried about the scene as "there's only that much you can show on local TV".

She was also at ease doing the scene with Zhang because this is the third drama where they play a couple, after Devotion (2011) and Break Free, now showing on Channel 8.

It was Zhang who was more worried about the scene.

"He put on weight for his role in Break Free, which we had filmed right before this, so he was very conscious about his figure," she said.

"Because of that, the centre of attention was on him instead."

But at last year's Star Awards, the attention was on Pang and actress-host Vivian Lai.

They locked lips after Lai won the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste award.

This was broadcast live, leading some viewers to complain.

In an interview with The New Paper earlier this month, Lai said she would be on her best behaviour at this year's awards, to be held on April 21 and April 28.

Pang is nominated this year for Best Supporting Actress for playing an idealistic girl in Joys Of Life.

She is also up for Favourite Host for her work on the infotainment programme My Fair Ladies.

Tight-lipped

Pang said jokingly that she will "keep her mouth sealed" at the awards.

She said that since the incident, "when I go on variety shows, sometimes I don't dare say too much".

"It's better to err on the side of caution," she said.

"I think Taiwanese are more vocal and expressive, so sometimes I can't help it and just want to say or do something."

In 2011, Pang was rumoured to be dating Jerry Yeo, whom she worked with on A Tale of 2 Cities. Both denied the rumours, saying they were just good friends.

When this was mentioned, Pang laughed it off and said: "That's old news already."

Pang, who is single, said she is looking forward to love, but will let nature take its course.

And if she gets into a relationship one day, she will not go public about it.

"I will happily make an announcement only when I get married," she said.

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