SINGAPORE— It only took 20 years, but Singapore’s favourite Lobang King and Star Maiden are finally back together on screen. Yes, veteran actors Chew Chor Meng and Chen Xiuhuan are back as husband and wife in director Boris Boo’s new coming-of-age film Lucky Boy.

Chew and Chen will be playing Lin Chong and Wu Zhi, respectively, the parents of titular hero Lin Yu, played by Ah Boys To Men star Wang Weiliang. The pair were one of Singapore’s most popular on-screen leading couples in the 1990s, thanks to their chemistry in local Chinese television dramas such as Witty Advisor and Heavenly Beings.

Chen, who was one of the biggest local TV stars of the 1980s and early 1990s, was best known for her iconic portrayal of a lovable alien in Star Maiden (which was the then-Singapore Broadcasting Corporation’s first attempt at a science-fiction drama) and a volleyball player in The Winning Team, appearing alongside Chen Liping.

She bowed out of the entertainment scene in 1995 at the height of her popularity to get married and become a full-time housewife.

“Yeah, after doing those TV dramas with me, she became disdainful of me, up and left to get married!” joked Chew. “But honestly, she hasn’t aged or changed one bit. She looks exactly the same as she did when she was acting. Just as good-looking and beautiful.”

The 48-year-old Chen was very appreciative of her co-star’s compliment, but revealed that she has not done anything special to upkeep her appearance over the years, as she was 100 per cent focused on raising her daughters, now aged 17, 15 and 11. However, the self-professed tiger mum said she was particularly nervous about her comeback — on the big screen, no less.

“I’m a little afraid to be honest,” she told TODAY in Mandarin. “Because it’s been so many years since I’ve acted or filmed, and I’ve not been in the public eye.”

She did say that was why she was extremely glad that this comeback will be alongside someone like Chew — even if they have not kept in close touch over the years.

“Actually, I haven’t seen Chor Meng in so long. Although we are friends on Facebook, we don’t really get to see each other much in person,” she revealed. “To be honest, I was a bit nervous at first. It’s been so long and so many years, I didn’t really know what it would be like between us.

“But when we met each other and started talking, I realised the rapport between us was exactly the same as before. Nothing has changed.”

She continued: “I still feel the closeness between us. The chemistry is still there. And then I was very relieved, because I haven’t done (filming) for so long.”

Set in Singapore, Lucky Boy chronicles the trials and tribulations of Lin Yu’s life and his relationship with his family, friends and primary school love Qing Qing (played by Hong Kong actress Venus Wong) from the 1970s to present day, juxtaposed against the backdrop of a changing and growing Singapore in the last 40 years.

The S$2.5 million film starts filming today and will shoot for 25 days, pre-dominantly in Singapore, save for some scenes in Malaysia.

Lucky Boy is slated for release in the second quarter of 2016 and is produced by Clover Films, mm2 Entertainment Pte Ltd; in association with J Team Productions and FOX International Channels, and with the participation of the Singapore Film Commission.