Heartthrob Chen plays against type in latest film

Bolin Chen and Ivy Chen pose for their new film Campus Confidential in Beijing on April 15. Photo provided to China Daily

Taiwan teen girls' heartthrob Bolin Chen plays his "ugliest" role in his 12-year filming career in Campus Confidential, a romantic comedy released on April 15.

In the film, Chen, 31, portrays a computer geek who wins over the prettiest girl at college. Since his big screen debut, The Blue Gate Crossing, in 2002, Chen has been known as a handsome young idol who often plays the perfect boyfriend, so his performance in Campus Confidential, he said, was a new challenge and he enjoyed the feeling of being different and unrecognizable.

Playing his love interest is Taiwan actress Ivy Chen, best actress winner of the 12th Taipei Film Festival for Hear Me.