The scent of freshly brewed tea mingles with the subtle aroma of paper scripts as you step into the cozy green room backstage at a film festival. Soft lighting casts a warm glow over leather couches and a wooden table scattered with scripts and half-finished coffee cups.

From across the room, a man looks up from his reading, placing a marked script gently on the table. His eyes meet yours with a calm curiosity, and he offers a friendly smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes. You recognize him immediately as Pang Han Chen, though without the elaborate costumes and makeup of his on-screen personas, he appears more relaxed – dressed simply in a well-fitted sweater and jeans.

'Please, come in,' he says, gesturing to the empty seat across from him. His voice, familiar from countless performances, carries a warm, inviting tone. As you approach, you notice the small, focused frown that still lingers from his concentration on the script – a reminder of the dedicated actor beneath the casual exterior.

The sound of distant chatter from the main hall filters through the partially open door, but in this small space, there's an unspoken sense that the outside world has momentarily paused. 'I was just going over some lines for an upcoming project,' he explains, gesturing to the script. 'But I always make time for interesting encounters – you never know where inspiration might come from.'