Ex-Mediacorp actor, Andrew Seow, 55, says he'll be a TikToker if he's in his 20s now

Former Mediacorp actor Andrew Seow, 55, has reemerged in the public eye as an auxiliary police officer with Aetos Security Management.

On television two decades ago

The last time audiences saw him was likely on television in the mid-2000s.

Seow is best known for his stint in "Growing Up", an English language drama series that ran from 1996 to 2001.

He acted as the pai kia (rebellious) Gary Tay.

In an interview with Mothership on Jul. 8 at the Aetos Holdings headquarters at Corporation Drive in Jurong West, Seow revealed more about what he has been up to outside of the limelight.

From "rebel" to auxiliary police officer

The irony is not lost on those who watched "Growing Up".

Seow acted as a rebellious young man with anti-authoritarian tendencies only to become a real-life auxiliary police officer.

Did something click in Seow?

Laughing it off, Seow revealed that post-Mediacorp, he did venture into other businesses with friends, "small things here and there", he said, before making the transition to being a caregiver to his parents.

The move to leave showbiz in 2006 in his mid-30s was simply because he had spent 12 years as an artiste and felt it was time for him to move on.

Seow added: "I needed time for myself, time to relax to have longer breaks. After my breaks, I also realised that my family needed me. I took a longer break. One year after another, it has been 20 years already."

Peranakan blood

When asked if he had difficulty with Mandarin during his acting days, Seow admitted it was a hurdle when he starred in Chinese language shows.

When pressed if he is Peranakan, Seow laughed and admitted that he has Peranakan blood, and that he had not revealed this fact before.

"My dad actually cannot speak Mandarin. My dad speaks French, English, and Malay. He made sure I had to learn Mandarin," the former Catholic High School and St. Patrick's School student said.

Seow, who used to stay in the old Peranakan houses in Clemenceau Avenue before he moved to the east, also admitted that he loves "The Little Nyonya", a Mediacorp drama series released in 2008.

Have not met up with ex-colleagues

And no, he has not met up with his former Mediacorp colleagues or or his "Growing Up" co-stars.

Seow said his work schedule, which includes 12-hour shifts, clashes with theirs.

However, he maintains contact through online means, such as WhatsApp and FaceTime if he has to.

A nurturer

Unlike the Gary Tan character he played, Seow is a nurturer in real life.

His zodiac sign is a Capricorn (disciplined and practical) and he emerged as an "ISFJ" in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test, which reflects someone who is introverted, observant, feeling, and judging.

His personality type is a defender (no surprises there).

MBTI is a self-report questionnaire designed to indicate different psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions.

"I like order and I like structure," he said. "I like taking care of people."

Keeps dogs

By his own reckoning, Seow said he is a low-maintenance and simple person.

In his free time, he does gardening and spends time with his dogs.

Other than that, he tries to catch up on sleep.

Be a TikToker

If he could live his life again, he would opt to be a TikToker if he was in his 20s now.

He sees its global reach as its perk, as well as the ability to work shorter hours.

Moreover, time would be on his side if he was in his 20s now and a content creator.

Seow said he uses TikTok, but as a lurker and not a content creator.

His love for the television was still evident though.

Seow could barely hide his smiles when asked if he was open to making a cameo appearance on the small screen again or to be involved in some kind of production.

There has been no concrete offers yet.

Following in father's footsteps

Even though it might appear shocking to the public that Seow ended up as an auxiliary police officer, he revealed the decision was not too far-fetched as his father was also an auxiliary police officer about 70 years ago when he was in his 20s.

The wheels started turning when Seow’s dad asked him what he was going to do for a living and plans for the future.

Seow said: "I haven't been doing anything substantial, so my dad asked me, 'Why don't you do something?'"

His dad's prodding was not the only factor.

Seow said he then heeded the call by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for Singaporeans to come together to do their part for Singapore and be cohesive.

Seow said he was inspired by that and asked himself what he was good at.

And it dawned on him that he could do what his father did: "So, I told him I was going to be an APO, he was like, 'Wow.' I have never seen an old man so happy before."

Getting hired in his 50s

But Seow admitted he had his doubts about being hired in his 50s.

Miraculously, he recounted that he went to the JobStreet online careers portal to apply for the auxiliary police officer role.

He sent his application late at night.

Within eight hours in the morning, he got a response.

To make sure Aetos did not make a mistake, Seow called them and reiterated that he was not young.

Seow's father subsequently drove Seow from their home in the East Coast area to the Aetos headquarters in Corporation Drive in Jurong West.

Seow senior then waited for his son to finish his interview.

Seow recalled that his father beamed while cleaning his car as he waited for his son to emerge from the interview.

One thing led to another and his application was accepted and he eventually signed on as an auxiliary police officer.

He has been with Aetos since April 2024.

Fulfilled with current job

APO training required Seow to get up to speed with more than a dozen modules.

But he said he devoted himself to mastering the curriculum over three months.

As part of his employment, he has to pass a yearly fitness test and handle firearms as well.

"I thought I will never be able to make it but I'm so blessed," Seow said. "People my age, you either choose to come out to work again, or stay home to do calligraphy or gardening."

He added: "But I choose not to. I have seen my mother. She stayed home and watch Korean dramas. And that was when all her illnesses came in."

Asked how long he foresees his stint at Aetos to last, Seow appeared contented and said he would stay as long as his fitness permits.

"My life is very fulfilled, honestly."

Top photos via Reuben Christopher Nathan/ Mothership