Richie Koh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richie Koh
Koh in September 2023
Born	(1993-06-16) 16 June 1993 (age 31) Singapore
Other names	Xu Ruiqi
Alma mater	Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2017 (2017)–present
Agent	Mediacorp The Celebrity Agency
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	許瑞奇
Simplified Chinese	许瑞奇
Hanyu Pinyin	Xǔ Ruìqí

Richie Koh (born 16 June 1993) is a Singaporean actor who is signed to MediaCorp.

In 2023, Koh won the Star Awards for Best Actor for his critically acclaimed role as an intellectually disabled in the drama series Your World in Mine. At the age of 29, he is also the second youngest recipient of the award, after Christopher Lee who won in 1997 at the age of 26.

Early life

Richie Koh was born on 16 June 1993. He graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a Diploma in Financial Informatics in 2014, following which he completed his national service in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) with the rank of Lieutenant.

Career

In 2013, Koh was scouted when Channel U’s Hey Gorgeous team went to various campuses in Singapore looking for suitable contestants. He garnered much support during the competition and emerged as first runner-up. He chose the stage name “Rui Qi” as his stage name on the advice of Singaporean host-actress Quan Yi Fong.

In 2017, after serving National Service, Koh started his career by debuting in Channel 8’s army-themed drama When Duty Calls, a major role that charmed viewers' hearts. Fans sang praises of his natural acting and good looks, factors which landed him his first nomination for Best Newcomer in Star Awards 2018. October that year saw Koh jetting off to Changzhou, Jiangsu for a month to film China-web movie The Legendary Detective of the Shanghai Bund where he played an assistant to the agency detective.

The following year, Koh made cameo appearances in long-running Channel 8 drama Life Less Ordinary and Toggle series Die Die Also Must Serve. In addition, he wrapped up filming on 118 Reunion and made a special appearance in local movie Wonderful! Liang Xi Mei directed by Jack Neo. His role as a gangster boss in the movie saw him gain new fans both here and across the Causeway. Koh also acted in several Toggle Original productions such as Star Crossed, and he took the lead role in Divided as well as The Distance Between. In addition, Koh acted in a Gilbert Chan movie 23:59: The Haunting Hour as a soldier tasked to kill a snake spirit.

On 30 August 2018, The Celebrity Agency announced that Koh would be expanding his career to China after it signed a co-management contract with China’s LongAllStar Entertainment Group. Koh trained in China for 2 months to hone his acting skills before returning to Singapore.

In 2021, Koh starred as Zhu Yongjie in Live Your Dreams, where he was nominated MyPick! Favourite Male Show Stealer and Favourite CP in Star Awards 2022.

In 2022, Koh soared to fame after starring in the immensely popular Your World in Mine as an intellectually disabled Zheng Tiancai. For this role, he received the Best Actor award at the Star Awards 2023, which was also his first time being nominated in that category. Koh was also nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Asian Television Awards in 2022.

Personal life

Koh is in a relationship with fellow actress Hayley Woo. Woo confirmed she was dating Koh and called him a 'romantic boyfriend' on the Valentine's Day on 14 February 2024.

Filmography

Koh in April 2017

Television series

Film

Awards and nominations