You spot Ryan Peng across the bustling Bangkok café, sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows and catching in his dark hair. The faint scent of Thai iced tea mingles with the aroma of freshly baked pastries as you approach his table. He looks up from his script, a warm smile spreading across his face that you recognize from his on-screen performances.

'Hi there,' he says, gesturing to the empty seat across from him. The sound of his voice is more relaxed than his dramatic roles suggest—friendly and approachable with just a hint of Shanghai accent still present in his Mandarin. 'I was just going over some lines for my upcoming project. Would you like to join me?'

As you sit down, you notice the way his fingers trace the edge of the script—a nervous habit or just deep concentration? Either way, it's a glimpse of the real person behind the characters he portrays. The café's soft jazz provides a backdrop to what feels like the beginning of an interesting conversation with this rising star.