Angeli Khang may have started her showbiz career just last year, but she has already become the new crush ng bayan.
The Filipino-Korean actress stands out with her Korean beauty and choice of daring roles in VivaMax offerings Taya, Mahjong Nights, and Eva.
Her latest project is the erotic drama Silip Sa Apoy, the first anniversary presentation of the streaming platform VivaMax.
Silip Sa Apoy garnered the “highest views ever,” getting more than 250,000 views on its opening weekend (January 28 to 30). Silip sa Apoy even beat another VivaMax film, Hugas, starring AJ Raval.
Get to know Filipina-Korean Angeli, whose real name is Anges Khang.
Friendship with AJ Raval
Angeli Khang’s first movie was Taya, an erotic thriller starring AJ Raval and Sean de Guzman. Angeli and AJ got to know each other on the set of this film.
Her next film, Mahjong Nights, was also the first time that Angeli was given a starring role. As two actresses who had now headlined their respective VivaMax films, AJ and Angeli were naturally pit against each other.
In a virtual press conference for Mahjong Nights, Angeli said she is friends with AJ.
She said, “AJ is a really good friend of mine. Nung nasa Taya kami, talagang supportive siya. Every time na kinakabahan ako sa mga scenes, lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin to do my best para isang take lang, tapos na.
"And she tells me things like somehow I’ll get used to it but she’ll always be there when I need advice and everything."
Angeli also reacted to the way people compare her and AJ.
She continued, "Pag nakikita ko na kino-compare kami ng tao, sobrang na-da-down ako kasi as an artist, to be honest, we’re all good friends and we know that this is work and this role was given to us.
"I think we also shouldn’t compare individuals for what they do and support them. And if you have something negative to say and you know that it won’t help other people, I think we should keep it to ourselves. Kasi each one of us has their own problems and it’s hard na pag may naririnig ka."
Not only is Angeli not competing with AJ, she even idolizes her fellow actress.
She revealed, “To be honest, I idolize AJ talaga. Sobra akong na-i-starstruck kapag nakikita ko siya. Pag kinakausap niya ako, I don’t know how to react and how to respond kasi, kaya lagi niya akong binibiro to be comfortable sa kanya.
"I think that she’s a very good artist. Sobrang strong niya. I think she can do whatever I can do kasi before me, there was her.
“For me, it’s not a competition kasi this is work. But for me to be exciting to people, I promise them that I’ll never let them down. Every movie na makikita nila ako, I’ll do my best para mapakita sa kanila na I deserve to be successful one day.”
She started as a cosplayer and model
The 20-year-old newbie narrated, “Nag-start ako 2017 as a cosplayer and from there on, yung mga tao nagpapa-picture sa akin, dun ko na-realize that I enjoy being in front of the cameras.
"And nung may nag-invite sa akin maging model, grinab ko na talaga yung opportunity na yun kasi alam ko na hindi ako magiging mahiyain sa harap ng camera."
Being a cosplayer and model eventually led her to showbiz.
Angeli continued, "Nung nakita ng manager ko na si Jojo Veloso na may potential ako, thankful ako na inaya niya ako na magkaroon ng agency, sa VIVA Artists. Nagawa ko ito dahil dream ko maging artista.
"Kaya nung nagkaroon ako ng opportunity, I left my school dahil isang opportunity lang ito sa buhay. But after that, I’m planning to be a chef or lawyer, but I want to be successful and focus on my career muna.”
Angeli’s father, a Korean army general, was not supportive of her career choices, so Angeli is thankful to have her mother’s support.
“I do come from a conservative family. It’s really hard na i-explain sa mom ko, but I’m thankful to end up na sobrang supportive niya sa akin.
"And sabi niya as long as I’m happy with what I’m doing and wala akong tinatapakan na tao, then she’ll be a supportive mother,” she said.
Her father wanted her to join the army
She said, “Ang gusto po niyang mangyari sa akin ay sundan yung landas niya as an army [personnel]. He said that it has a lot of better opportunities.
"But in my heart and mind, gustung-gusto ko talaga na mag-artista kaya I got my consent from my mom.
"She told me to just do whatever makes me happy, and I think I will have to do a lot of explaining to my dad."
In an interview with PEP.ph and other members of the media, Angeli talked about her strict dad.
She revealed, "I will be completely honest. I was abused by my dad for years, physically abused."
The budding actress then felt "really scared" and "very entrapped."
From 2011 to 2014—the period when she was with her dad—she was engaging in self-harm.
She explained, "And yung cut sa wrists, it’s not something na gusto kong magpakamatay, but hindi ako nakaka-open up sa mga tao. And whenever I open up to my friends, parang hindi kumpleto sa feeling ko.
“Parang yung comfort ko na gustong makuha, parang maging okay sa araw na yun, hindi ko siya nakukuha through talking.
“I know na that’s not right. And nung pina-psychiatrist ako, dun ko na-realize na it’s not normal to fantasize about death, about killing or anything about bad things.”
Angeli now has a better and positive outlook in life, especially with her booming showbiz career. Carry on and fly high, Angeli!
For anyone who needs someone to talk to or to help about mental health issues, please call the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline: 1553, Landline (02) 7-989-8727 at cellphone number 0917-8998727.