A former Taiwanese celebrity manager who once helped shape the careers of stars such as Show Luo and boyband 5566 has surprised fans after being spotted working part-time as a hotpot restaurant server.
Sun Derong, 65, was seen greeting customers, taking orders and serving dishes at the eatery, despite reportedly having a net worth of around NT$300 million (S$12.5 million).
The former entertainment industry heavyweight said his decision to take on the job is not driven by financial need, but a desire to remain active in life.
“I don’t want to sit around and wait to die,” he said in an interview, explaining his outlook following major health struggles in recent years.
Sun was diagnosed with stage three bladder cancer in 2013 and underwent surgery to remove his bladder. He has since been living with an artificial bladder and continues to manage ongoing health issues.
In recent years, he fulfilled a personal milestone by adopting a 26-year-old son, which he said has given him renewed purpose and motivation to stay physically and mentally engaged.
He now works at the hotpot restaurant every Friday and Sunday, treating the role as a way to keep moving rather than as a source of income.
Sun added that he does not take a salary for the job, but has requested that the restaurant owner help secure an insurance policy for his son, who is currently training in the insurance field.
Apart from his weekend shifts, he also works as a consultant at a design company during weekdays, where he advises businesses on transformation and strategy.
Despite stepping away from the entertainment world, Sun said he has no intention of slowing down, stressing that staying active has become a key part of his life philosophy.
