SINGAPORE — Former local actor Huang Yiliang has responded to online criticism following a viral confrontation at a hawker centre, clarifying that he was not “acting” or smiling while being taken into an ambulance after allegedly being struck during an argument.
The 64-year-old said he simply wanted to show people he was alright after the incident, which reportedly took place on the evening of May 10 at Circuit Road Hawker Centre.
Speaking to Chinese-language newspaper Shin Min Daily News, Huang shared that he has since returned to operate his seafood stall and is recovering well. The former actor explained that some online users misunderstood his facial expression while paramedics were assisting him.
“I wasn’t smiling,” Huang reportedly said, adding that he merely wanted to reassure others that his condition was stable despite the pain.
The confrontation allegedly involved Huang, a neighbouring chicken rice hawker, and her husband. According to reports, tensions escalated over rumours involving Huang and his stall assistant.
Huang Says Hospital Visit Was Precautionary
Huang explained that he initially did not intend to go to hospital after the alleged assault. However, as an ambulance and police officers had already been called to the scene, he eventually agreed to undergo medical checks as a precaution.
The former actor said he wanted doctors to confirm whether there was any internal bleeding after being struck behind his right ear.
Although he admitted the impact was painful, Huang questioned why some members of the public expected him to appear visibly distressed in the ambulance.
He also addressed comments suggesting his background in television acting influenced his behaviour during the incident.
“When I’m acting, I may exaggerate pain for the camera, but in real life I wouldn’t do that,” he reportedly said.
The incident has attracted widespread attention online, with videos and discussions circulating across social media platforms and forums. Some netizens criticised Huang’s demeanour in the ambulance footage, while others defended him, saying people react differently to pain and stressful situations.
Hawker Dispute Appears Beyond Repair
Huang also revealed that his relationship with the neighbouring chicken rice hawker has completely broken down following the confrontation.
According to him, there is no longer any possibility of resolving matters amicably, and both parties will now keep their distance from each other moving forward.
Despite the incident, Huang said he has no plans to relocate his seafood stall from the hawker centre. Instead, he hopes to avoid future confrontations and focus on running his business peacefully.
The former actor described the incident as “fate” rather than bad luck, adding that further conflict would only result in losses for everyone involved.
Huang also mentioned that his stall assistant was expected to return to work the following day after staying away temporarily due to concerns surrounding the situation.
The case has become one of the most talked-about local hawker disputes online this week, with many Singaporeans debating neighbourly tensions, workplace rumours, and the intense scrutiny public figures continue facing even after leaving the entertainment industry.