Cha Shao-kwong (born 15 September 1961), professionally known as Xie Shaoguang, is a Singaporean actor, chef and former monk best known for acting in many Chinese-language television series produced by MediaCorp Channel 8. He was prominently a full-time Mediacorp artiste from 1989 to 2005. He re-signed with MediaCorp on 5 September 2024, citing possible future projects.
Widely regarded as one of Singapore's best actors, Xie received five Star Awards for Best Actor, a record that he held for 15 years for the most wins in that category before being surpassed by Chen Hanwei in 2019.
Career Since the start of his acting career in 1989 in the television series A Mother's Love (), Xie has received numerous accolades, including winning the Star Awards Best Actor award five times and the Best Supporting Actor award twice since the ceremony's inception in 1994. One of his most notable roles is the Chinese folk deity Ji Gong in the 1997 television series The Legends of Jigong.
In 2005, Xie formalised his plans to retire from the entertainment industry when he decided not to renew his contract which expired in September the same year, although his intention to quit has been made known years earlier. He said that after retirement, he would be living in Malaysia, where he planned to open a refuge for stray dogs and cats. His last screen appearance was in the television series Baby Blues, which ended its run on 9 September 2005.
After a 12-year hiatus, Xie made a short official media appearance on 14 October 2017 to conduct acting classes for younger actors. Xie has stated he would return to acting, if there is a role that can persuade him to do so.
In 2024, he signed with The Celebrity Agency seeking for new acting roles after being persuaded by his former manager, Ivy Low who's now the head of the management agency. In his comeback role, Xie played a lonely wealthy tycoon Lin Huoyan with Chen Hanwei in a 20 episode drama series titled The Gift of Time produced between February and May 2025. In February 2026, Xie stated that he remains in semi-retirement and declined to attend Star Awards 2026.
Personal life Xie kept a low-profile following his initial departure from the entertainment industry, refusing any requests to appear in public events or on screen, including an invitation by Singaporean director Anthony Chen to star in the award-winning film Ilo Ilo.
Xie would later move to Permas Jaya, Malaysia, where he was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2013. In 2014, Xie opened an animal welfare centre, Animal Paradise, in Pekan Nanas, Johor.
In 2016, Singaporean media reported that Xie renounced his monkhood and had become a head chef in a vegetarian restaurant. Xie moved back to Singapore prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Filmography
Television series YearTitleRoleNotesRef1989A Mother's Love (親心喚我心)He Jiale's husband1990Friends Next Door (我愛芳鄰)Li YaochangTwo of Us (天生一對)By My Side (逆風天使)ZhiweiWishing Well (幻海奇遇之六尺儿童)BingNavy Series (壯志豪情)Li Yi-anMarry Me (最佳配偶)Liu Ri-huaEnchanted Eyes (天眼)XiaoliuHappy WorldMr Fang1991The Working Class (上班一族)Fatal Endearment (謀海危情)Chen GangBehind Bars (铁狱雷霆)Pang YudaPrivate Eyes (妙探智多星)Johnny HeBlack Phoenix (黑凤凰)JundingThe Future is Mine (錦繡前程)Michael1992Changing Fortune (天賜奇才)Hou YizongLadies in Action (霹靂紅唇)Yuan ZhenhuaA Time to Dance (火舞風雲)Simon Luo TianhuMy Buddies (浪漫战场)Zhang LiangxingBetween Friends (山水喜相逢)Wang XiangdongDuel in ShangHai (轰天龙虎)Yan Zhiping1993Smouldering Heat (赤道迷情)Huang YamanAngel of Vengeance (暴雨狂花)Long JunReaching For The Stars (银海惊涛)AlbertRide the Waves (卿本佳人)Huo ChengguiThe Great Conspiracy (蓮花爭霸)Ye QunSwitch (妙鬼临门)BenThe Unbeatables IFeng Jiang1994Double Life (潇洒走一回)Zhao YongThose Were The Days (生命擂台)PaulLarceny Of Love (雌雄大盜)Jiang ZefuChallenger (勇者無懼)Zhong ShaoliangAgainst All Odds (共闯荊途)Rong Bochuan1997The Legends of JigongJi Gong1998Stand by Me Du Hanmin1999Stepping Out Zhang Jiafu2002Beautiful ConnectionLion King2003Holland VYang Xiong2004Double Happiness Luo JialongDouble Happiness II I Love My Home Xu Chuanye2005Baby BluesLan Haishen2025The Gift of Time (你好，再见）Lin Huoyan
Film YearTitleRoleRef2002Miracle Pub (奇蹟酒吧之白粉仔)Dong Zhongxing2003Destiny (愛之國．仇恨島)Shi Shusheng / Ding Lingqi
Variety show hosting YearTitleRef2005Rail Adventure (男得風光)
Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Nominated work ResultRef1995 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor Larceny of Love Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes 1996 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor Golden Pillow Best Actor The Last Rhythm Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes 1997 Star Awards Best Actor The Legends of Ji Gong Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 1998Star Awards Best Actor Stand by Me Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 1999 Star Awards Best Actor Stepping Out Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2000 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2001 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2002 Star AwardsBest Actor Beautiful Connection Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2003 Star AwardsBest Actor Holland V Special Achievement Award Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2004 Star AwardsBest Actor Double Happiness Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2005 Star AwardsAll-Time Favourite Artiste 2007 Star Awards My Favourite Actor Favourite On-screen Couple
References
External links Celeb Bio