Popular Taiwanese actress Joe Chen became a well-known face in the region after starring in the successful idol drama, You're My Destiny, last year.

The 30-year-old acted as a quiet and good-hearted girl in the show, which is about an odd couple. It drew an average of 3.9 million viewers every week.

It also made her and co-star Ethan Juan the most sought-after actors for Taiwanese idol dramas.

In her latest show, Easy Fortune Happy Life, now showing on E City (StarHub Channel 56), Chen plays a country girl who meets a cold-hearted bad boy played by Blue Lan. He marries her to inherit a multi-billion-dollar family fortune.

The star, who often plays the role of the girl- next-door, wants to break out of this stereotype and play a killer or deaf-mute next. She feels such unconventional roles will give her a breakthrough in her career.

The chatty actress told Life! over the telephone from Taiwan recently: 'I want a difficult role because it will attract more attention and give me more credibility as an actress. I do not want to act in a love story, it is too boring.'

1 What was it like working with Blue Lan in Easy Fortune Happy Life?

To be honest, we did not have much chemistry. We were not close and had nothing much to talk about. But it was not difficult to work with him. He was a nice colleague but I guess I won't be good friends with him.

2 You're My Destiny achieved such high viewership ratings. Were you under pressure to achieve the same results for Easy Fortune Happy Life?

Not at all. In fact, the ratings for my new show are not even half of You're My Destiny. I am not too worried about ratings because they are just numbers. I am more concerned about whether I can jump out of the stereotypical role of the girl-next- door.

3 What problems did you face while acting in the idol drama and how did you overcome them?

I had problems filming the kissing scenes with Lan. As we did not have much chemistry, it felt a little awkward. Also, he liked to tilt his head at a certain angle when we filmed the scenes and I did not like to do that, it made me feel quite embarrassed.

4 What role do you want to tackle next and why?

Viewers like to watch me acting as a simple country girl. However, I have grown tired of such roles. I want a role that is not so perfect and not so cute. I want to play a deaf-mute or a schizophrenic killer.

My only condition is I do not want to be disfigured in the roles because it will make me ugly.

5 In your roles, you always seem to end up marrying a rich and handsome guy. What type of guys do you go for in real life?

I want a boyfriend who is kind, optimistic and nice to me. I guess it all depends on feelings because liking that person is the most important thing. In the past, I did not think I would date someone in the entertainment scene because if anyone found out about it, my career would be affected.

However, dating someone outside of the industry is difficult as well, because he would not understand me. It is very difficult for actors to fall in love.

6 So, what is your take on love?

I take the come-what-may approach. If it comes, it comes, I do not have to keep chasing after it. Also, I do not mind having a family without getting married. To me, getting married is just a ceremony and wedding preparations are very troublesome and tiring. As long as I have the mental and financial abilities, I would not mind raising my child without getting married.

7 You have been offered many movie roles. Why haven't you accepted any of them yet?

I want a longer time to think about my first movie role because essentially, there are only two hours to showcase my acting skills in a movie. It is either make or break. I am scared of choosing the wrong role. Like I said, I want a role that gives me a breakthrough, so I am still thinking about it.

8 Complete this sentence: If I could live my life all over again, I would...

Still be an actress. It is true that being an actress is not easy because it comes with a lot of expectations and pressure. However, it is my passion. I also love drawing and wanted to be a fashion designer in the past. But now, I guess I will stick to my original path of being an actress.

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Idol drama Easy Fortune Happy Life is showing on E City (StarHub Channel 56) every Saturday, 7pm.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.