"An entertainer never really leaves the entertainment business."
With that, the winner for this year's Favourite Male Character summed up the mass exodus happening on Caldecott Hill, and reassured his fans that would be the case with him too.
Nat Ho will leave his current employer MediaCorp after his contract ends in June, joining a growing list of departing or departed artistes that include Jesseca Liu, Dawn Yeoh, Adrian Pang, Charlyn Lin, Peixuan, Jeff Wang and Fiona Xie.
But the good-looking lad tells xinmsn in an exclusive interview he'll still be around, as he pursues his "real passion" - music.
"There is a lot of stuff I want to try while I'm still young. Because of my age, I think it's the right time to leave. You know, I'm old enough, yet not too old to try other things," he said.
"I've an itch for singing! If I never try I'll regret it!"
Nat previously mentioned that his original intentions in signing on to MediaCorp four years ago were "to build [his] foundations and to network," which he has achieved.
The former Singapore Idol contestant will take a diploma in audio engineering "to familiarize [himself] with the ins and outs of music production," and will also venture into F&B business with a cousin.
Is there no way to juggle the many hats?
Nat feels that something has got to give, but conceded that the latest contract offer by the company played a major part in his decision.
xinmsn understands the two-year extension doesn't include a pay rise for the rising star.
"It's always a combination of factors. There were pull factors already, and then that contract came...," the 25-year-old stopped, without elaborating.
Nat first thought of leaving two years ago, but stayed on to support his family. This time, it took him a few months of consideration.
That also meant he had already made the decision when he was voted Favourite Male Character at Star Awards 2010, leaving the mass communication diploma holder in a dizzy.
"You saw I was quite emotional [when my name was announced]. There were a lot of things going through my mind. It's a really strange, heart-aching feeling, to give me this when I'm leaving."
But no, he doesn't see it as "coming too late," as reported by other local media.
"It's more a nice farewell gift."
The actor was at the press conference of his last drama serial, With You, when he broke the news. He admitted that he hadn't intended for it to be so soon, but the media event's mood caused the confession.
At the press conference, soon-to-leave thespian Adrian Pang pleaded for "good scripts, roles, dialogue and opportunities" for local actors so that "talent won't go to waste."
His co-stars Chen Hanwei, Chen Shucheng and May Phua followed the lead and poured their hearts out on the matter, quoting a generation of skilled artisans lost - Huang Biren, Ivy Lee, Jacelyn Tay, Phyllis Quek, Carole Lin, Joey Swee, Florence Tan and Huang Yiliang.
Other than the wage packet and his desire to explore other interests, is Nat leaving due to limited opportunities in MediaCorp?
"To be very frank, no. I never wanted to be an actor. All this came as a bonus.
"Anyway, even if there's a pay rise I may still leave," he quipped.
Since the Anglo-Chinese School alum has made the decision, what will he miss the most?
"My friends here.
"People say in the entertainment circles everyone is more like colleagues, but I really consider them friends. Many of them are so warm even though we don't really know each other," he said earnestly, adding that his best friends are Elvin Ng and Felicia Chin, who herself revealed on Labour Day she'd return to her books in a few months' time if a local or overseas business school accepts her application.
In With You, Nat plays younger brother to Hanwei, a role he considers his "most challenging to date," because the ghost of his dead brother will later possess him, requiring the pretty face to 'become' Hanwei's character.
"It was hard, especially because [the ghost] is much older than me, and has a wife and kid."
Acting with the two screen kings of Hanwei and Adrian must have ensured a steep learning curve.
"Channel 8 dramas are less subtle so Adrian brings something different with his background in theatre and Channel 5. The energy he gives off is also very comfortable.
"Hanwei is much more technical and I learnt those aspects from him. Plus he's really passionate about what he does."
The drama will, however, not be the actor's only appearance in the coming weeks. He is doing a three-peat returning as presenter on Channel 5's National Science Challenge 2010.
According to him, fans can see a "wackier" Nat Ho. The schools game show has also been extended to an hour long.
Finally, what does the idol want to say to his notoriously adoring fans, before we next hear from him?
"Don't be sad. I'm not retiring! I hope they can continue to support whatever I do. Wo zai ni zuo you (the Chinese title for With You, literally 'I am around you')!"
With You debuts 12 May, 9pm on Channel 8.
