PENANG — They play will-they-or-won’t-they lovers throughout the Channel 5 drama series Mata Mata. And now, actors Cheryl Wee and Daren Tan will pursue their interests outside of entertainment, after filming the show’s third and final season, which premieres in November.

“I am going to help my mom a little bit more this year,” said Wee. “These past few years (working in the entertainment industry) have been a pretty good experience and my parents have been very supportive. But I would like to start to help her out, because it’s about time my mum relaxes.”

Wee’s mother is, of course, Jean Yip of hairdressing, beauty and slimming conglomerate Jean Yip Group. The 28-year-old will help launch a sister line for the brand, which the actress says will combine her acting experience with her mother’s beauty business, later this year.

“I don’t think my mother will retire, because she is very active, and I want to learn from her. She’s a wonderful businesswoman,” Wee said.

Co-star Daren Tan, who entered the entertainment industry after winning the second season of singing competition Project Superstar, will also take a year from his acting and music career to focus on his start-up.

“I have an IT company called Retail Boss that does scheduling and payroll for retail industries,” said Tan, who is in charge of business development. “I am going to try to grow the business and take it overseas to Indonesia and Australia.”

Both Tan and Wee wish to eventually return to the entertainment industry.

“Acting and singing will always be a hobby,” said Wee, who recently signed a contract with Taiwanese television production company Gin Star Entertainment. “It is going to be tough because I want to pursue both routes, but nothing is impossible. We are young only once, and we should do the best we can.

“I am just going to sleep less!” HON JING YI