Taiwanese actor Yang Hao-wei works at breakfast shop amid acting drought, admits to anxiety

Taiwanese actor Yang Hao-wei, known for his roles in popular dramas, is currently experiencing a career "winter," having been without an acting job for over six months since the wrap-up of his last series, "Good Luck Come." Instead of waiting idly, Yang has taken on a part-time job at a breakfast shop, a place he has frequented for over a decade.

He is actively involved in various tasks, from preparing drinks to meticulously selecting eggs and vegetables. Yang finds fulfillment in staying busy and learning new skills, viewing this period not as a setback but as an opportunity. He shared that the owners of the breakfast shop, whom he has known for 13 years, treat him like family and are supportive of his acting career, allowing him flexibility to pursue auditions.

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I'm really super anxious!

Yang openly admits to experiencing significant anxiety due to the prolonged unemployment. "I'm really super anxious!" he stated. He described the emptiness felt during this period, contrasting it with the perception that being unemployed allows for travel. For actors, he explained, the fear of waiting for opportunities is profound, especially when the gap extends beyond a few months.

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Water that doesn't flow becomes stagnant, and people are the same.

Recalling his early days in the industry, when he was once down to his last NT$21 and survived on instant noodles, Yang understands the hardships of pursuing an acting dream. He advises aspiring actors to carefully consider the path, emphasizing that the greatest challenge isn't financial hardship but the fear and anxiety that accompany waiting for work.

Despite the challenges, Yang remains resilient. He believes that staying active and engaged, like working at the breakfast shop, creates momentum and opens doors to new opportunities. "Water that doesn't flow becomes stagnant, and people are the same," he said. He also sees this experience as valuable preparation for a future plan to reopen a Japanese izakaya, believing that all experiences eventually prove useful.

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The greatest challenge isn't financial hardship but the fear and anxiety that accompany waiting for work.