Taiwanese actress Joe Chen, who is 46 years old, shifted her focus to mainland China many years ago. Currently filming a period drama, she posted on Instagram on the 3rd, saying “haven’t memorized my lines yet,” followed by suddenly announcing a “ban on set visits.” She admitted that she dislikes being visited on set while filming, and she never visits others’ sets either. She candidly told fans, “If there’s nothing urgent, you don’t need to come, really! Just message me.”
Chen openly expressed that her dislike for set visits stems from her innate preference for tranquility and distaste for crowded places, as well as her resistance to interruptions during intense work periods. Engaged in shooting the period drama, she not only has a large volume of lines but also faces different syntax compared to modern dramas. Therefore, during breaks, she must repeatedly go over her lines, study script rhythms, and maintain a high level of concentration.
In addition to affecting her performance on set, Chen also confessed, “Friends visiting gives me psychological pressure, I worry about being a bad host.” She believes that set visits easily distract her, disrupting her focus and immersion in the role. While she understands some friends enjoy visiting, if continuously invited, she reluctantly cooperates but internally desires to maintain a focused work environment.
Lastly, Chen addressed her fans, saying, “So if there’s nothing urgent, there’s no need to come, really! Just message me, really!” She emotionally confessed, “I love my friends, when I am direct with you, I genuinely consider you a good friend!” She kindly advised fans, “Don’t come to visit, go about your business, I understand,” and generously proposed, “Isn’t it great to hang out after I finish filming?”
In fact, in various variety shows and interviews, Chen has mentioned her preference for family and friends not visiting sets. She believes that the tight filming schedule and the attention required by visitors can disrupt the workflow. Hence, she prefers to meet after work is done.
Moreover, observing Chen’s public activities since her relationship and marriage to her husband Alan Tseng, she often intentionally maintains a low profile. For instance, when supporting Alan’s art exhibition, she chose to stay away from the limelight, even leaving when the media appeared, not wanting to shift the focus to herself. This demeanor reflects her desire to keep personal relationships from affecting her work environment.
Overall, Chen’s aversion to set visits does not stem from a dislike of fans or friends but rather from her perspective of acting as a highly focused job. Coupled with her independent nature and valuing personal space, she prefers to separate “work” from “personal life.” This attitude is not uncommon among many seasoned actors, although not always explicitly expressed.