Before cable TV became popular, Channels 8 and 5 were my go-to sources for entertainment. I fondly remember tuning in to watch local dramas starring handsome Mediacorp actors, who eventually became my celebrity crushes. Although I outgrew them as I entered my teenage years, I often find myself reminiscing about those good old times when I would swoon over these leading men.

If you were just like me, this list of handsome Mediacorp actors might just take you on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

1. Pierre Png

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Even though Pierre Png has joined the 50s club, it’s no exaggeration to say that he still maintains a youthful appearance. A quick scroll through his Instagram will prove just that. 

His breakthrough was in the comedy series Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd in 1999, which paved the way for his rise to fame. Since then, Pierre has starred in various Mediacorp dramas, including The Little Nyonya in 2008. His steamy shower scene in Crazy Rich Asians in 2018 had fans swooning over him, cementing his reputation as one of Singapore’s hunkiest stars.

Follow Pierre Png on Facebook and Instagram.

2. Qi Yuwu

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Hailing from China, Qi Yuwu’s claim to fame was via Star Search Singapore in 1999. He participated in the China round of Star Search, then moved to our Little Red Dot, where he was catapulted into stardom thanks to roles in Beautiful Connection and Room In My Heart. His chiselled features and toned physique are among the many reasons Yuwu’s fans find him charming.

Even at 47 years old, the actor remains strikingly attractive with his tall build and impressive physique.

Follow Qi Yuwu on Facebook and Instagram.

3. Allan Wu 

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Staying fit and looking good as a dad is no easy feat, but Allan Wu defies expectations with his ripped physique. His frequent trips to the gym underscore his passion for fitness and his self-discipline. What’s more, Allan often shares photos of his post-workout body on Instagram, causing a frenzy in the comment section every time he does so.  

A couple of his notable Mediacorp dramas include Bukit Ho Swee in 2002, and House of Joy in 2006. 

P.S.: Allan is arguably one of the most memorable Singaporean actors thanks to his unique background as a Chinese-American. 

Follow Allan Wu on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

4. Elvin Ng 

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Even in his 40s, Elvin Ng exudes a boy-next-door vibe, so it’s not surprising that many Singaporeans have developed a crush on him. 

You might recall that Elvin entered showbiz after being discovered through the talent search programme School Belle and the Beau in 2004. His bright personality and good looks naturally won him many fans, and in 2006, he was awarded one of the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes at the Star Awards. 

Fast forward to today, Elvin has acted in numerous Mediacorp dramas, and received various awards that established his reputation as a top actor in Singapore. 

Follow Elvin Ng on Facebook and Instagram.

Also read:

10 Ex-Mediacorp Actors & Actresses We Grew Up Watching And Where They Are Now

5. Desmond Tan

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Fans of Desmond Tan aka Destanations will agree that the actor has always maintained his good looks since his debut in 2008. Beyond his good looks, Desmond has earned praise for his versatility in taking on different acting roles. His breakthrough happened in 2012 when he portrayed a rickshaw driver in A Song To Remember. 

Additionally, Desmond has also proven to be a fashion icon thanks to his collaborations with various brands, like Zenith Watches and Onitsuka Tiger.     

Follow Desmond Tan on Instagram.

6. Christopher Lee

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Known as the only Singapore-based actor to have clinched multiple awards at Singapore’s Star Awards and Taiwan’s Golden Bell Awards, Christopher Lee is one of the OG Mediacorp actors who needs no introduction. I can still remember when many of my female classmates fell head over heels for him. 

Despite being in his 50s, Christopher proves that time has only aged him for the better ‒ he still looks as dashing as before, but with a hint of sophistication. 

Follow Christopher Lee on Facebook and Instagram.

7. Tay Ping Hui 

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Tay Ping Hui is a familiar name to many Singaporeans who watch Mediacorp dramas ‒ he is known for playing charismatic leading roles. If you recall, he was dubbed as an ah beng after playing Xie Donghai in Bountiful Blessings in 2012, emitting bad-boy vibes that most girls couldn’t help but love. 

His good looks were recognised by various media outlets, such as Lianhe Zaobao, where he was named one of the “Top 50 Most Popular Asian Idols” for five consecutive years. If that isn’t impressive enough, the actor has also been named one of the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in the Star Awards for over a decade. 

Follow Tay Ping Hui on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

8. Edmund Chen

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If you’re a ’90s kid, you’d know that Edmund Chen is one of the prominent Mediacorp actors who rose to fame in the 2000s. However, you might think that your eyes are playing tricks on you after learning that he actually hit the big 6-0. In fact, he turned 63 years old earlier this February.  

That being said, it appears that age is just a number, seeing as how he continues to radiate a youthful vibe, and captivate his fans with his sculpted figure. 

Follow Edmund Chen on Facebook and Instagram.

These handsome Mediacorp actors show that age is just a number

No matter how much time has passed, these Mediacorp actors will always remain the handsome characters that we remember from our TV screens back in the day. 

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Also read: 

9 Local & MediaCorp Shows With Shocking Sex Scenes, From The Little Nyonya to Wonder Boy

The post 8 Handsome Mediacorp Actors We All Had A Crush On Before appeared first on ZULA.sg.

Among the many national athletes who made Singapore proud, Joseph Schooling is an icon, especially for budding competitive swimmers. His greatest achievement was winning an Olympic gold medal during the 2016 Rio Games, cementing his name as a professional swimmer to look up to.

Now that he has announced his retirement, let’s take a look back at his career below with 15 facts that remind us that he is always our nation’s pride and joy.

1. Won his first medal in the Olympics when he was 21 

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Joseph Schooling was only 21 when he clinched the gold medal in the 100m butterfly swim race with a time of 50.39s during the 2016 Rio Olympics. That moment was historical for us Singaporeans as he became Singapore’s first and only Olympic champion. Plus, he also broke Olympics’ most decorated champion Michael Phelps’ record of 50.58s, which was set in 2008. 

Ever since Joseph’s debut as an Olympic champion, viewers from across the world have also shown interest in him and our Little Nation. A proud Singaporean moment indeed.  

2. Moved to Florida when he was 14

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Joseph Schooling’s journey to becoming an Olympic champion didn’t come easy as he made the move to Florida when he was just 14. Unlike a normal teenager, he had to sacrifice many things for his swimming career like quality time with friends and family as well as leading a normal school life.

Thankfully, his efforts paid off as he managed to train under Sergio Lopez Miro, who later became Singapore’s national head coach in 2015, and eventually made Singapore very proud with his accolades.  

3. He never fails to give thanks to his family

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Take a quick glance at Joseph Schooling’s Instagram, and you can easily tell that he is a family person. Many of his posts are dedicated to his parents, thanking and expressing his love for them for their constant support. 

When his father passed away in November 2021, Joseph also wrote a touching post about him sharing how he misses him and knows that he will always live in his heart. We can’t help but stan a filial son. 

4. Was happy to celebrate National Day in person again this year

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The National Day Parade in 2022 was definitely an exciting event for many Singaporeans. Since it was the first time we got to celebrate in person after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Joseph Schooling also made his way down to Marina Bay to flex his patriotism. 

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Through an Instagram post dedicated to Singapore’s 57th National Day, Joseph also shared photos with fellow national athletes like Loh Kean Yew. Perhaps in the future, we might see them hanging out over a game of badminton or in the swimming pool. 

5. Being an Olympian runs in his family

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FYI, Joseph Schooling isn’t the first Olympian in his family. His great uncle Lloyd Valberg was Singapore’s first Olympian in the 1948 Summer Olympics, where he participated in the high jump category. 

According to an interview with Joseph Schooling’s mother, she mentioned that it was a conversation Joseph had with his great uncle that inspired him to take part in the Olympics. 

6. He is the youngest recipient of the Sportsman of the Year Award

Joseph Schooling sharing his award win with his mother
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FYI, Singapore recognises the achievements of our local athletes with the Singapore Sports Awards. In 2012, Joseph Schooling was awarded the Sportsman of the Year honour when he was 17, making him the youngest recipient of the prestigious award. However, as he had an examination on the same day as the award ceremony, he wasn’t present to receive the award. 

If that isn’t impressive enough, he was also awarded the Sportsman of the Year title for five consecutive years from 2015 to 2019. 

7. He is a record breaker in swimming 

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You can add “record breaker” to Joseph Schooling’s list of achievements as he has bagged more than 29 gold medals from the SEA Games on top of an Olympic gold medal.

He was the first Singaporean to win a swimming medal in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and he set a new record of 22.47s for 50m freestyle swimming during the 2015 SEA Games. 

Additionally during the 2015 World Aquatic Championship, he set a new Asian record for the 100m butterfly with 50.96s, earning Singapore’s first-ever medal at the competition. 

8. He graduated from university with 12 NCAA titles

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If Singapore University Games aka SUniG is unique to our local universities, America’s universities have their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship for college-level sportsmen to compete in. 

During his time at the University of Texas at Austin, Joseph Schooling managed to claim a total of 12 NCAA medals in swimming before graduation. He received gold medals in 2015 and 2016 for the 100m and 200m butterfly swimming categories, and later clinched four more gold medals, a silver, and a bronze medal at the 2017 men’s swimming and diving championships.  

Also read: 

16 Facts About Loh Kean Yew Like Being World’s Top 20 Badminton Player & An Instant Coffee Ambassador

9. He is the first Singaporean Hugo Boss ambassador 

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Another milestone that Joseph Schooling made was being Hugo Boss’ first Singaporean ambassador. What’s so admirable about the luxury brand is that they kept the four-year-long partnership with Joseph despite his recent confession about consuming cannabis while overseas. 

According to an interview with the managing director of Hugo Boss Southeast Asia, he believes that Joseph “will make good his promise to rebuild the trust with the people who believe in him”. This also reminds us that everyone truly deserves a second chance. 

10. Was sponsored by brands like Milo, Toyota, and Yakult

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Other than Hugo Boss, Joseph Schooling was previously sponsored by many other brands like Milo, Toyota, and Yakult. You might recall how he appeared on the packaging of Milo packets as an inspiration to younger local athletes. 

Based on a quote by a spokesman of Nestle, Milo’s parent company, he mentioned that Nestle recognises Joseph’s contribution to Singapore and he remains an inspirational model for all Singaporeans with the ownership of his mistake. 

11. Launched his swimming school in 2018

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You can’t spell Schooling without ‘school’, and there is nothing more appropriate than our Olympic champion opening a swim school for kids. Known as Swim Schooling, Joseph’s swim school opened in 2018 at Our Tampines Hubs (OTH) in collaboration with a UK-based company. 

Students can expect to learn more than just swimming as Swim Schooling features an eight-step programme for kids to learn life-saving skills, gain confidence in the water, and build foundations for competitive swimming. 

Joseph also hopes that through his swim school, he will be able to empower kids to achieve their aquatic dreams. 

12. An orchid was named after him

Image courtesy of NParks

It is not common to have an orchid named after you, but Joseph Schooling earned the honour alongside Paralympian Yip Pin Xiu in 2017 by being Singapore’s first Olympic gold medalist recipient. Named Dendrobium Joseph Schooling, the flowers have slightly twisted yellow petals that are completed by bright green lips with light brownish-purple tessellation. 

Check out these orchids IRL when you head over to the National Orchid Garden at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. 

13. Encouraged the use of reusable utensils for Singaporeans 

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Anyone can contribute to greener living, and it starts with simple actions like using recyclable utensils. In partnership with DBS in 2018, Joseph Schooling went around Lau Pat Sat during lunch hours to spread awareness about sustainability efforts to office workers who were there to dapao food.

Other than educating them on the importance of recycling and cutting down on waste, Joseph also distributed recyclable sporks to get them on board for leading a greener lifestyle. Interested folks can watch the full video here. 

14. Enlisted in the navy for NS at 26 years old

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Normally, boys of our nation would serve National Service when they are around 18 years old, but Joseph Schooling only enlisted in January 2022 at the age of 26 after a long-term deferment for about 8 years to train and compete internationally. 

A day before his enlistment, he also uploaded an Instagram story of him getting his hair shaved, tagging MINDEF at the same time. According to an interview with CNA later on, he mentioned that his Basic Military Training was good, and is now undergoing vocational training in the Navy. 

More than just defending his titles in the pools, Joseph is now defending our nation’s borders. 

15. His friendship with Michael Phelps is inspiring 

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The 2016 Rio Olympics wasn’t the first time Joseph Schooling met his idol, Michael Phelps ‒ 8-year-old Joseph managed to snap a photo with the latter when he stopped in Singapore for a training camp before heading to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

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Perhaps that marked the beginning of his affinity with Michael Phelps, as who knew that years down the road, they would be competing against each other, with Joseph beating Michael Phelp in the Olympics. 

Based on an article by Olympics, Joseph shared that he now also seeks opinions from his idol-turned-friend whenever he needs help with career decisions or swimming advice. 

These Joseph Schooling Facts Show That He Is An Inspiration To Younger National Athletes

As Joseph Schooling welcomes a new chapter in his life, we hope that his achievements will continue to inspire Singapore’s younger generation. Perhaps shortly, we will also learn what he has planned for the future.

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Also read: 

17 Female Olympians From Singapore Past & Present That Inspire Us Including Athletes In Tokyo Olympics 2020

The post 15 Joseph Schooling Facts To Remind Us That He’s Still Our Nation’s Pride & Inspiration appeared first on ZULA.sg.

You may have noticed that in recent years, numerous Korean entertainment companies have held auditions in Singapore, eagerly searching for the next big star. Most notably, the agency behind the successful K-pop girl group Fifty Fifty recently extended its reach to our Little Red Dot.

Not only did three Singaporeans make it to the finals in Bangkok, but one of them also managed to secure a coveted K-pop trainee contract. Meet Joye Cai, the 16-year-old Singaporean who is now officially a K-pop trainee. 

1. She studies at SJI International 

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Currently enrolled at SJI International, Joye is a Secondary 4 student who is part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. She mentioned in interviews with various media outlets that she spends her after-school hours practising dance, averaging about 4 hours a day. 

Thanks to her hard work and dedication to becoming a K-pop idol, she is now a step closer to making her dream come true. 

2. Auditioned to be part of Fifty Fifty

Joye on the right during the finals of the Fifty Fifty audition
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For the unacquainted, Fifty Fifty is a K-pop girl group who gained international fame thanks to their hit song ‘Cupid’ ‒ you’ve probably heard it on the radio or when scrolling through TikTok. However, due to contract disputes, the four-member girl group now only has one member remaining, and their agency is seeking new faces to debut in the next generation of Fifty Fifty.  

When it was announced that Fifty Fifty’s agency would be holding an audition in Singapore, Joye didn’t miss the opportunity to pursue her dream as a K-pop idol. She competed against 120 Singaporeans, and emerged as one of the three finalists who later participated in the grand finals in Bangkok in early March 2024. 

Fun fact: Joye was the youngest Singaporean to compete in the audition. 

3. Received a trainee contract from Evergreen Group

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Although Joye didn’t secure a spot in Fifty Fifty, she received a K-pop trainee contract from Evergreen Group, one of Attrakt’s investors. This means she will have the chance to undergo singing, dancing, and rapping training with the hopes of debuting as a K-pop idol in South Korea. 

4. Set to debut in a K-pop group in two years’ time

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All K-pop idols undergo training before making their debut, so it is not surprising that Joye will be doing the same. While it remains uncertain when Joye will make her debut, Evergreen Group plans to debut her in a girl group within two years. 

Fingers crossed that we will hear good news from Joye soon. 

5. Will be relocating to Seoul in June 2024

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With a tight timeline on hand, things are moving fast for Joye ‒ it was reported that she will be relocating to South Korea in June 2024. This means she has only a few months left in Singapore to prepare for her life-changing moment and temporarily bid farewell to her loved ones. 

6. Has the support from her family to pursue her dream

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For most people, it isn’t easy to have their parents support their dream of becoming a K-pop idol, but Joye is fortunate to have hers fully behind her. 

While her mother was initially hesitant about letting her leave for South Korea, she mentioned in an interview that she’d rather have Joye take the risk of becoming a K-pop trainee than hold her back from pursuing a future she might enjoy more. 

7. Her mother is a socialite

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While all eyes are on Joye for receiving a K-pop trainee contract, her mother Milona Xia has also received attention from the public as a socialite. The 37-year-old is a patron of a law foundation, and has appeared on ICON Singapore, where she discussed her relationship with luxury jewellery brand Bvlgari. 

Also read: 

20 Facts About Singapore-Based Singer Shye, Like Being An Okto Child Star & Loving K-Pop

8. She accepted the trainee contract after attending Taylor Swift concert 

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Joye was among the many Singaporeans who attended the recent Taylor Swift concerts, and it was during that moment that she decided to accept the K-pop trainee contract. Inspired by the impressive performances by the pop singer, Joye made a mental note to herself that she’d be on stage in five years. 

Previously, she had been worried about receiving her family’s support in pursuing her dream and the uncertainty of debuting as a K-pop idol. 

9. Her mother wishes her to continue her studies at Hanlim Arts High School 

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Despite supporting Joye’s pursuit of her dream to become a K-pop idol in South Korea, Joye’s mother also wishes for her to continue her studies. She hopes that Joye will be able to enter the prestigious art school in South Korea, Hanlim Arts High School, which boasts famous K-pop idol alumni like Cha Eun Woo and New Jeans’ Minji. 

10. She has a birthmark on her face 

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Everyone is born differently ‒ some of us have birthmarks while others have moles on different parts of their body. Joye shared on her Instagram that she actually has a birthmark on her left cheek. 

Since these features make us unique individuals, it is not surprising that Joye has also wholeheartedly embraced her birthmark . 

11. Is close to Rurusama 

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Surprisingly, Joye is close to Singaporean cosplayer Rurusama, and the two have been noticed for their adorable relationship. Joye shared photos of them together on her Instagram story, and even wrote a caption in Chinese that Rurusama is her “wifey”.  

While we are unsure how the two met, fans of both are surely hoping for a potential collaboration in the future. 

12. She is a serial concertgoer

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As a K-pop fan herself, Joye has attended many concerts, including those of K-pop groups IVE and ENHYPEN. She also enjoys other genres of music such as Mandopop and Pop, and has even managed to secure a front-row ticket for one of the concerts.

13. She fractured her finger before 

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Injuries can happen to anyone from time to time, and it seems that Joye once fractured her finger. Although she didn’t share how she sustained the injury, it must have been a painful and scary experience.

14. Her favourite colour is pink 

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Pink is Joye’s favourite colour, and she shared this fun fact with her Instagram followers during a Q&A session. Among her many pink items, we spotted a matching pink Hermes bag and ring with her mother. 

15. MBTI is INTP

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MBTI is one of the most popular personality quizzes, and Joye shared during a Q&A session on her Instagram that hers is INTP. 

According to 16Personalities, INTPs “enjoy taking an unconventional approach to many aspects of life.” Perhaps this might just explain why Joye is committed to carving her own path as a K-pop idol. 

These Facts About Joye Cai Show That She Is A Hardworking Teenager Who Never Backs Down

Dreams are meant to be pursued, and it is inspiring to see that Joye is working hard and going the extra mile to become a K-pop idol. Hopefully, with this new opportunity as a K-pop trainee, she will get to embark on a life-changing journey and make Singapore proud. Wishing her all the best in South Korea!

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Also read:

20 Facts About Han So Hee, The Actress Who’s Caught Up In A Love Triangle Between Ryu Jun Yeol & Hyeri

The post 15 Facts About Joye Cai, The 16-Year-Old Singaporean Who Is Now A K-Pop Trainee appeared first on ZULA.sg.

While we swoon over K-Pop idols or Hollywood superstars, we often forget about celebrities from our own little red dot. 

With Singapore being such a small country, it’s sometimes hard for celebrities to make a name for themselves — which is why many venture out into the international market. If you’ve ever wondered who are the local names who have brought us hometown glory, check out this list of 10 local celebrities who found fame overseas. Perhaps, they’ll give you the motivation that you need to also strike out on your own across borders.

1. JJ Lin

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When you think of local celebrities, one of the first people to pop up in your head would probably be JJ Lin. In 2004, just one year after his debut, the Singaporean singer-songwriter won Best New Artist at the Golden Melody Awards — Taiwan’s equivalent of the Grammys.

To date, JJ Lin has won numerous awards — including Best Asian Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. Not to mention, the singer has also amassed a whopping 2.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, earning his place as the 2nd most popular Mandopop artist on Spotify — just behind Jay Chou.

Follow JJ Lin on Facebook and Instagram.

2. Stefanie Sun

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Stefanie Sun, or better known as Sun Yan Zi, is a Singaporean singer-songwriter who found fame in Taiwan. Upon releasing her debut album in 2001, she immediately won an award for Best New Artist at the Golden Melody Award Ceremony. Altogether, Stefanie Sun was nominated for the Best Female Mandarin Singer award at the Golden Melody Award Ceremony five times. 

FYI, the female singer also sang our National Day Parade theme song for two consecutive years, in 2002 and 2003. 

Follow Stefanie Sun on Facebook and Instagram.

3. Chin Han

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Few Singaporeans have made a name for themselves in the US film industry, which makes Chin Han’s achievements that much more special. 

As one of the most well-known Asian actors in Hollywood, Chin Han has acted in many popular movies. FYI, Chin Han actually acted in The Dark Knight as Lau — a Chinese crime lord who was caught by Batman. 

Now, the actor is still going strong in the tough industry. Some of his most recent works include Skyscraper, a movie starring Dwyane Johnson, and Mortal Kombat, where he is part of the main cast.

Follow Chin Han on Facebook and Instagram.

4. Fann Wong

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Commonly referred to as one of MediaCorp’s Ah Jies, Fann Wong is actually the first Singaporean actress to make her big break in Hollywood. In 2003, she played Chon Lin in Shanghai Knights, an American martial arts comedy film. 

For her role as Chon Lin, the Singaporean actress was nominated for Best Fight at the MTV Movie Awards. Though she didn’t win, getting nominated was still undeniably a huge feat. Then in 2008, Fann’s hard work paid off as she won Best Actress Award for her role in Dance of the Dragon at the West Hollywood International Film Festival.

Follow Fann Wong on Facebook and Instagram.

5. Mark Lee

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By now, you’re probably familiar with Mark Lee. After all, the comedian, actor and host often appears on Channel 8 and various Singaporean films. In 2010, he was even awarded the All Time Favourite Artiste award in the Star Awards, after being one of Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes for 10 years. 

Well, the male celebrity made his big break in Taiwan in 2021, when he was nominated for the Best Leading Actor award at the Golden Horse Awards — one of the most prestigious Chinese award ceremonies — for his film, Number 1.

Subsequently, the film also started streaming on Disney+, becoming one of the few Singaporean works to be streamed on the platform. 

Follow Mark Lee on Facebook and Instagram.

Also read:

22 Singapore Idol Contestants Across 3 Seasons And What They Have Been Up To

6. Tan Kheng Hua

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While Tan Kheng Hua has acted in various international films like Marco Polo — an original Netflix series — alongside other notable Asian actors like Chin Han and Michelle Yeoh, she never quite got her name out there until 2018, when she acted in Crazy Rich Asians as Kerry Chu, the female lead’s mother. 

Since then, the actress has scored herself countless roles in popular TV series like Grey’s Anatomy and Medical Police. In 2021, she even starred in Kung Fu — an American martial arts action-adventure television series — as one of the main leads.

Follow Tan Kheng Hua on Instagram.

7. Lawrence Wong

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While Lawrence Wong started his acting career in 2002, his roles were often minor and hence, he was not very well-known. 

You could say that his acting career took a turn for the better in 2010. That year, he was nominated for the Favourite Male Character award at the Star Awards for his role as Wen Yuan in The Promise, a Channel U telemovie.

In 2018, Lawrence Wong officially rose to global fame when he acted as supporting character, Hai Lan Cha, in Story of Yanxi Palace — a TV series that was streamed more than 15 billion times on iQiyi.

Follow Lawrence Wong on Facebook and Instagram.

8. Tanya Chua

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Tanya Chua’s music career in Taiwan grew gradually. From a small artist, she is now one of the most renowned female singers in the country. 

In 2000, her second Mandarin album, Remember, earned her a nomination for Best New Artist at the Golden Melody Awards. 

Six years later at the 17th Golden Melody Awards, she finally won an award for Best Mandarin Singer. Now, the female singer picks up accolades effortlessly.  At the 33rd Golden Melody Awards just two years ago, she was nominated for eight awards and won four — including the awards for Best Female Mandarin Singer, Best Mandarin Album, and Album of the Year. 

Follow Tanya Chua on Facebook and Instagram.

9. Nathan Hartono

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While many of us may be familiar with Nathan Hartono — since he sang our 2020 NDP theme song “Everything I Am”, what may be surprising is that the singer-songwriter actually debuted at just 16 years old. 

After winning the Teenage Icon singing competition in 2005, Nathan released numerous albums before participating in Sing! China. In the singing competition, he brought pride to Singaporeans by being the first from our Lion City to pass the blind auditions and make it to the finals. 

Follow Nathan Hartono on Facebook and Instagram.

10. Johanna Dong

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Johanna Dong is someone that should be applauded for her resilience in making it in the music industry. In 2004, the Singaporean singer joined the first season of Singapore Idol. Unfortunately, she only made it to the top 40. 

Despite this setback, the singer stuck to her dreams of pursuing music. She performed with different bands at hotel gigs and collaborated with various artists to release singles. 

In 2017, the singer rose to fame as the second Singaporean singer to reach the finals of Sing! China, after Nathan Hartono. While she did not manage to win first place, the singer emerged as the second runner-up.

Follow Joanna Dong on Facebook and Instagram.

These Local Celebrities Who Found Fame Overseas Have Made Singaporeans Proud 

While Asian representation in Hollywood is on the rise, we still hardly see our fellow Singaporean celebrities on the big screen. 

The celebrities on this list stayed strong in their endeavours and made a name for themselves internationally in the tough music and acting industry, bringing pride to Singapore along the way. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see more local celebrities in the international scene in the future. 

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Also read:

10 Ex-Mediacorp Actors & Actresses We Grew Up Watching And Where They Are Now

The post 10 Singapore Celebrities Who Found Fame Overseas, Proving That We Should Never Give Up On Our Dreams appeared first on ZULA.sg.

It’s safe to assume that most of us spend quite a bit of time scrolling through social media each day. After all, in today’s age of connectivity, a simple click of the screen can get us up-to-date with what celebrities or our friends are up to. 

It also provides us with the short serotonin boost we need to get through our day. If you’re looking for some charming and interesting online personalities to follow, we’ve got you covered. Here, we’ve compiled a list of 10 most popular male influencers and personalities in Singapore, based on their Instagram following. 

1. Jeryl Tan (@smilewithjeryl) – 1.2M followers

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Jeryl Tan’s instagram account is the one to go to if you’re ever short on photography or video ideas. Every few days, he posts reels sharing transition hacks and posing inspirations.

Although he’s a self-taught photographer, this content creator has worked with numerous big brands like Samsung, Apple, NTUC, and Dominos. Needless to say, his expertise can definitely be trusted.

2. Jian Hao Tan (@thejianhaotan) – 655K followers

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Gen Z Singaporeans will probably know Jian Hao Tan for his comical skits. Back in the 2010s, his videos such as 25 Types Of Singaporean Teachers and 9 Types Of First Dates were all the rage. Now, his content is mostly catered towards Generation Alpha, with series like Titan Academy which depicts life in Singapore schools. 

IG followers can get glimpses into the successful YouTuber’s life from his posts, which usually feature his wife, Debbie, and five-year-old daughter, Starley.

3. Benjamin Kheng (@benjaminkheng) – 435K followers

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Three years ago, Mandopop track – The Cai Fan Song – topped the charts of our local radio station, Yes 933. In case you didn’t know, Benjamin Kheng is actually one of the voices behind the hit song – alongside Annette Lee. He was also renowned as one of the members of local band The Sam Willows.

Now, Ben posts short comedy skits and product endorsements on his Instagram account. Noteworthy brands that he has worked with include Jo Malone, YSL, and Gucci.

The musician has also announced that he’ll be releasing a solo album soon so if you’re interested, follow his IG for timely updates.

4. Loh Kean Yew (@lohkeanyew) – 416K followers

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Badminton player Loh Kean Yew made his way into the hearts of all Singaporeans when he won the title of Men’s Singles World Champion in 2021, bringing pride to our country.

When he’s not busy mastering his sport, the athlete occasionally shares part of his life with fans on Instagram. Most of his posts include pictures of him at various badminton competitions and events.

Fun fact: Loh Kean Yew is Grab Singapore’s first brand ambassador and also endorses Seiko, a Japanese luxury watch brand.

5. Taufik Batisah (@taufikbatisah) – 362K followers

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Taufik Batisah rose to fame after winning the first season of Singapore Idol in 2004, fascinating Singaporeans islandwide with his sweet voice. While you may not have seen his face regularly, you’ve definitely heard his voice, as he sang some of the most iconic National Day songs like Reach Out For The Skies and Stronger Together.

As of today, the singer-songwriter has moved on to starting his own realtoring agency and fried chicken restaurant, Chix Hot Chicken.

Also read:

16 Top Singaporean TikTok Influencers That Are Slaying It Amongst Gen Z In 2023

6. Lennard Yeong (@lennardy) – 361K followers

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Though Lennard Yeong didn’t manage to clinch the first place when he competed in the first season of Masterchef Asia, he still made his mark as a cook. Today, he is one of the most sought-after chefs in Singapore. 

On his Instagram, the chef shares various cooking tips and recipes — like how to make steamed garlic scallops and even chocolate. 

For some interesting content, check out Lennard Yeong’s Will It Waffle series — where he occasionally collaborates with popular online personalities to make different food items into waffles.

7. Glenn Yong (@glennyqh) – 341K followers

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Though sixth on this list, Glenn Yong probably has one of the most fervent fan clubs in Singapore. FYI, his fans have even made an Instagram account to source the clothes that he wears. 

Ranked 62nd in TC Candler’s list of Most Handsome Faces In The World, the singer-actor has charmed countless with his attractive features. If you were on TikTok when Ah Girls Go Army was released, then you’ll probably have also seen videos of girls simping over the actor — who played Sergeant Chow.

8. Tosh Zhang (@toshrock) – 314K followers

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Tosh Zhang, or more commonly known as Tosh Rock, made it big in Singapore’s media industry when he starred in Ah Boys To Men as Sergeant Alex Ong. Since then, the actor has participated in the filming of other movies like My Love Sinema, and So Bright 2. Good Goodbye — Tosh’s new movie — will be coming out soon so keep an eye out for it.

Aside from acting, Tosh also pursues a career in singing. On his IG account, you can see clips of him performing at different events.

9. Titus Low (@titusslow) – 294K followers

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By now, everyone has heard of Titus Low. Known as the most subscribed to male OnlyFans creator in Singapore, the social media influencer has gone viral on multiple occasions — such as when he went to jail, or had a shotgun marriage which ended after one and a half years.

Aside from his OnlyFans career, Titus opened his own ice cream shop, OnlyCreamery — which, ICYMI, is named after the internet content subscription service. For a sneak peek at his content, check out the controversial personality’s saucy pictures and videos on his Instagram.

10. Avi Dixit (@avidixit10) –  258K followers

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Another athlete on our list, Avi Dixit represents our little red dot in Cricket championships. During the 2023 SEA Games, he played a part in helping Singapore clinch the gold medal.

On Instagram, he posts skits that provide comedic relief while shedding light on stereotypes about Indians. Not to mention, Avi has his own online blog, where he writes about anything and everything Formula 1.

These 10 Most Popular Male Influencers In Singapore Show That It’s Also A Scene For Guys

With this list of 10 most popular male influencers in Singapore, you’ll never run out of content to entertain you on your daily MRT rides, or during meal times. If you’re still looking for more online personalities to follow, check out our list of 8 most popular mum influencers in Singapore.

Cover image: Source, Source, Source

Also read:

8 Most Popular Mum Influencers In Singapore, Based On Their Social Media Following

The post 10 Most Popular Male Influencers & Personalities In Singapore, Based on Their Social Media Following appeared first on ZULA.sg.

Admit it. You’ve been there — falling down the rabbit hole of Instagram scrolling and unearthing a treasure trove of mum influencers in Singapore with the perfect IG grid and crisp TikTok content. Cue jealousy and insecurity.

JK, but you know what I mean. These Insta-famous mums make motherhood look like a piece of cake. They live in nice houses, drive cool cars, juggle multiple kids, and run some solid businesses on the side. They’re hardworking, successful, and inspirational. Ahead, we narrowed down a list of the most followed “mumfluencers” in Singapore. 

1. Jamie Chua (@ec24m) – 1.4M followers

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There’s not much Jamie Chua doesn’t do.

Previously a flight attendant for Singapore Airlines, the socialite brought the first Manolo Blahnik store to Southeast Asia. After turning her talents to mummyhood when she gave birth to Calista and Cleveland, she also started building the biggest Hermes bag collection that’s worth over $22M and made headlines around the world.

2.Naomi Neo (@naomineo) – 908K followers

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You’ve probably stumbled across Naomi Neo on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

The blogger-turned-social media influencer has a stunning house you’ll want to live in and a sick supercar collection you’ll want to test drive. Besides flexing her wealth, she also shows off the sweet sides of being a mum to two children — Kyzo and Zyla.

3. Jade Rasif (@djjaderasif) – 543K followers

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Jade Rasif is a DJ, Youtube talk show host, and single mummy of a 5-year-old boy. 

Besides photos of her flawless outfits, she also shares lots of her travels around the world on her Instagram. As for her personal life, Jade keeps it on the DL although she has spoken up about the struggles of single motherhood in the past.

4. Wendy Cheng (@xiaxue) – 575K followers

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By now, everyone has heard of Wendy Cheng AKA Xia Xue.

Singapore’s OG blogger is famous for giving lewks, entertaining content, and unfiltered opinions on several social topics through her explosive commentaries. Besides being the social media queen bee, Xia Xue is a single mum to a sweet lil boy. 

Also read:

17 Singapore Athletes From The ’90s-2000s And Where They Are Now

 5. Kim Lim (@kimlimhl) – 535K followers

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When your dad is a famous billionaire, it’s only a matter of time before the country salivates over you. And that’s the case with Kim Lim.

However, besides being the heiress of Peter Lim, Kim Lim is also a successful entrepreneur. At the moment, she’s juggling her mummy duties and aesthetics business Illumia Medical & Therapeutics. Kim travels extensively but most of the time, she’s out there learning the latest beauty techniques in hopes of applying them in Singapore.

6. Melissa Celestine Koh (@melissackoh) – 280K followers

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Fashionista Melissa Koh makes simple look so chic.

Scroll through her Instagram and you’ll see what we’re talking about. Her feed features just as much travel inspo as it does fashion. If you ever need some neutral outfit idea, she’s got you. Besides being an influencer and full-time mum to two boys, Melissa also runs Makers Inc. – a photography studio – with her husband. 

7. Tammy Tay (@ohsofickle) – 194K followers

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Tammy Tay is many things: mobile beauty business owner, interior designer, and content creator. But that’s not all. She’s also a mum of two. Between hustling two business ventures and taking care of her children, the social media influencer spends her free time building a solid fan base on OnlyFans.

8. Tjin Lee (@tjinlee) – 100K followers 

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Tjin Lee is the founder of Gusto Collective PR agency, a speaker at CRIB Society – a women-focused group, and a mentor at Life Beyond Grades – a parenting community. Above all, she’s also a dragon mum to two boys. Her IG grid shows a mix of travel content, fun family snippets, and work perks where she gets to attend cool events.

Follow popular mum influencers in Singapore

From OGs to newbies, these mum influencers are all pros in curating content so dang good to look at. They’ll inspire you, both style- and life-wise, and might just be the extra follow you’re looking for.

Cover: Source, Source, Source

Also read:

Top 10 Most Influential Social Media Personalities In SG For 2023, According To A Marketing Report

The post 8 Most Popular Mum Influencers In Singapore, Based On Their Social Media Following appeared first on ZULA.sg.

Earlier this Valentine’s Day, One Week Love became Singapore’s first reality dating show to air on Netflix ‒ you might recall that the series originally premiered on YouTube in October 2022. 

With some time passed since the show first concluded, we reached out to the contestants to catch up on how they’ve been doing, kaypoh-ed about their relationship status, and learned about their future plans. 

Females

1. Dione Tan

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Although Dione walked away with Oliver as a couple at the end of One Week Love, they didn’t officially kickstart their relationship off-screen. Since then, she has been busy building her modelling career, completing a placement in Hong Kong in 2023, and is hopeful for her next one this year. 

Speaking to Dione, she mentioned that she has begun a stricter fitness journey for weight gain and body toning to achieve a “healthier and better me”. Furthermore, she shared her aspirations of becoming a certified yoga teacher within the next two years, and plans to produce more fashion and beauty content that incorporates her interests, such as fitness and outdoor activities. 

2. Nur Atiqah

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Thanks to One Week Love, Atiqah was able to form new friendships with the contestants, and even now, she still meets up with Dione, Dania, and Roz. Not long ago, they also uploaded photos of themselves during a girl’s night out, showcasing their strong friendship. 

Based on Atiqah’s Linkedin, it also appears that she is still working as a financial consultant. 

3. Kasey Avarielle Low

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It isn’t an exaggeration to say that One Week Love was Kasey’s turning point in life ‒ especially in her career and relationships. Shortly after the filming of One Week Love, Kasey left her job and dedicated her time to becoming a full-time content creator on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. 

“I was able to experience so many amazing opportunities like working with brands I never dreamed of working with, walking my first runway, and many more,” Kasey shared. 

This year, she aims to be more active on YouTube, and plans to release more lifestyle, beauty, travel, and home content. 

Career updates aside, Kasey also revealed that she meets up with the boys from time to time, and has been dating Don ever since One Week Love concluded. I guess it is possible to find love in a week. 

4. Roziana Cindy

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Roz’s positive mindset when she left One Week Love is an encouragement to all singles that you can always improve on the relationship you have with yourself. The experience allowed her to work on personal growth, and learn to change how she approaches and addresses certain issues. 

Currently, her relationship status remains single, as she is focused on her career instead.  

Roz is now a Senior Marketing Director at ERA, and enjoys the satisfaction of fulfilling her clients’ real estate dreams. At the same time, she is also preparing for her upcoming music single, for which she has worked closely with Indonesia’s top composers.  

“I’m excited to release my song across all music platforms and to perform on stage soon!” Roz revealed. 

5. Dania Ervianny Nah

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After the end of One Week Love, your bubbly girl Dania has been participating in international basketball tournaments and SEA games as a representative of Singapore. Slay.

Her passion for the sport is evident on her Instagram, and she shared that she is now taking it easy and focusing on recuperating after a recent major knee operation. 

Also read: 

Being In A 10-Year Relationship & Getting Through A 2.5-Year LDR Taught Me How To Love & Grow Up Separately

Males

1. Oliver Loo

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Admit it ‒ many of us were disappointed to learn that Oliver and Dione did not enter a romantic relationship after the show. Nonetheless, Oliver stans might be interested to know that he may be seeing someone, according to his Instagram photos. 

It also appears that he is still working as a model under the agency Mannequin Studio. 

2. Sam Driscoll

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If you’ve been following Sam on his socials, you’d probably know that he released his debut album “The Pledge” in July 2023, which is available on Spotify. Sam also pointed out that more people started to recognise him on the streets, and his gigs now gain a larger crowd after his appearance on One Week Love.

What’s more, Sam even had the opportunity to collaborate with brands from different industries. As a cherry on top, he is currently in a relationship. 

3. Garialdi Salim 

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Gari emerged from One Week Love as a changed man ‒ brimming with confidence and optimism. After his appearance on the reality dating show, Gari shared that more people started to recognise him on the streets. He even decided to get a perm, taking a cue from Oliver’s recommendation. 

Similar to before, he is still working as a full-time management consultant, and dabbles as a model and actor on the side. Plus, he hopes to star in more reality shows in the future. 

While he didn’t manage to find love on the show, Gari revealed that he has been happily attached for a year now. 

4. Tinesh Brendan Jacob 

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Dad jokes expert Brendan is set to graduate from his mechanical design course later this year. While Brendan is undecided on his next steps in life, he hopes to spend some time travelling since he has been grinding really hard on work and in school. 

Whenever time allows, Brendan hangs out with Kasey and the other male contestants, and occasionally checks in on Atiqah and Dania. When asked about his relationship status, Brendan revealed that he actually went through a bad breakup, and is currently focusing on himself. 

5. Donovan Wong Tun Shaun 

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Don might have joined the dating game late on One Week Love, but he walked away matching with Kasey. Not long ago on Valentine’s Day, he also shared a photo of Kasey holding a stalk of roses on his Instagram story, suggesting that they had a romantic date. 

According to his Instagram, it seems that Don is still working as a physical trainer, and freelancing as a content creator. 

These Updates From One Week Love Contestants Show That It Is Possible To Find Love In A Week  

Although some time has passed since One Week Love concluded, these updates from the contestants show that they are working towards new goals in life, and some even managed to find love.

If you’ve enjoyed One Week Love, check out other Netflix dating shows like Indian Matchmaking. 

Cover: Source, source, source

Also read: 

6 Must-See Moments From One Week Love From Best To Worst, Including Aggressive Flirting Attempts

The post 10 Contestants From Netflix’s One Week Love: Where Are They Now? appeared first on ZULA.sg.

For many of us, watching others find love through reality shows like Love is Blind and Indian Matchmaking is a great way to distract ourselves from our own relationships – or lack thereof.  With SG’s own version of a dating show called One Week Love, that is now available on Netflix, Singaporeans get the chance to kaypoh the love lives of 10 attractive singles.

Here’s a recap of some of the best and worst moments from the show.

Best

1. Sam helps Dione to pick up the lego pieces she dropped

Sam giving Dione the blocks she dropped

As harsh as the reality is, many people subscribe to the logic of “We are not a team. This is a competition” as mentioned by Korean rapper Jessi. Yet, contestant Sam showed true sportsmanship when he went back to pick up the blocks Dione dropped during the swimming pool competition to win a date. 

While Sam’s kind deed sabotaged his chance of scoring a date with a person he was interested in, his action definitely earned him brownie points from other female contestants. 

This wholesome moment definitely proves the aforementioned saying wrong, instead proving that “all’s fair in love and war”. 

2. The sweet harmonisation between Roz and Sam

One Week Love contestants gathered for a musical night in Episode 3

NGL, but Sam is one contestant who earned the spot as my personal fave in One Week Love. As a musician who plays the guitar, Sam was seen harmonising with Roz when the rest of the contestants gathered together for a fun night. 

His soothing voice and Roz’s sweet vocals were a highlight of the episode, and we definitely saw chemistry form between the two that night. Maybe in the upcoming episodes, we can look forward to seeing more romantic moments between the talented duo. 

3. Cooking nasi lemak together as a group 

Romance aside, One Week Love was a way for the contestants to form genuine friendships too. As one of the missions was to prepare nasi lemak together as a group, it was heartwarming to see how all of them came together and bonded by whipping up a meal. 

The mission reflects the fact that Singapore is indeed a melting pot of cultures and races, and food is one element that brings us all together. 

Also read:

Gender Inequality In Singapore: 7 Moments From One Week Love That We Can Still Do Better In

Worst

4. Judging other contestants too quickly

The hard truth about dating is that you are bound to judge others and vice versa. While it is easy to make passing judgement, it isn’t exactly fair when you haven’t given a person a chance to prove themselves wrong. 

This brings me to the moment when the female contestants were talking about going on a date with a fellow male contestant that they weren’t exactly fond of on the first day. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but who knows where things could lead to if they keep an open mind. 

5. Gari trying to fix Kasey’s audio transmitter

Kasey’s reaction after Gari tried to fix her audio transmitter

Respecting someone’s personal space is especially important during the early stages of a relationship, so when Gari went to fix Kasey’s audio transmitter without warning, his action didn’t put him in a good light. Instead, Kasey became even more wary of him. 

While we believe that Gari had no ill intentions and sincerely wanted to help, perhaps he should have asked Kasey for permission first as a way of respecting her. Moral of the story? Always ask for consent. 

6. Oliver trying to make an impression on Dione

Flirting is one way to catch the attention of someone you’re interested in, but when you go a lil’ overboard, it can backfire instead. Luckily for Oliver, his bold move of winking at Dione during their first meeting didn’t create a bad first impression. In fact, it might have instigated Dione’s positive feelings for Oliver instead. Meanwhile, the girls in my group chat and I were cringing at his aggressive move. 

As everyone has their own preference when it comes to wooing or getting wooed, I guess there is no foolproof method of winning a person’s heart. 

These Moments From One Week Love So Far Show The Dos & Don’ts In A Relationship

We love how One Week Love has taught us some of the dos and don’ts in a relationship, along with useful tips we can apply in our daily lives. Plus, we even witnessed the genuine friendships formed among the contestants. 

Curious folks who wish to catch One Week Love can now head over to Netflix to watch all 10 episodes.

All images courtesy of TheSmartLocal.
Disclaimer: ZULA and TheSmartLocal are companies under TSL Media.
This article was first published on 25 October 2022 and last updated on 16 February 2024.

Also read: 

Meet The Contestants Of One Week Love, SG’s New Reality Dating Show: Occupations, Hobbies & Dealbreakers

The post 6 Must-See Moments From One Week Love From Best To Worst, Including Aggressive Flirting Attempts appeared first on ZULA.sg.

Just recently, Single’s Inferno Season 3 took the internet by storm. While we’re eagerly waiting for Season 4 to drop, Singapore’s very own version of the reality dating show, One Week Love, premieres on Netflix on 14 February 2024 — just in time for Valentine’s Day.

TL;DR: Nine attractive singles come together to find out if they can really fall in love in one week. While it’s already been two years since the show first came out on YouTube, it has taught us many meaningful lessons in love and life that are still relatable today. 

Here’s a brief introduction of the contestants, including their occupations, hobbies and dealbreakers.

Females

1. Dione Tan, 24

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Occupation: Model
Instagram: @dionetyf 

Prior to joining the show, Dione was single for about a month and was looking to date someone new. As a model at Basic Models Management, it’s no surprise to find Dione strutting in various poses and sharing the glam and glitz of photoshoot tidbits on her Instagram page.

According to the cast bios, Dione’s dealbreakers are men who are rude and unhygienic. And as the saying goes, “hair maketh man”, she also isn’t fond of guys with unattractive and messy hair either.

2. Nur Atiqah, 26

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Occupation: Financial consultant
Instagram: @atiqaah 

As someone who’s always on the ball, Atiqah juggles between her fitness hobbies and being a financial consultant with ease. Her dealbreakers are self-centred people and men who gossip about their exes, while preferences include taller guys.

3. Kasey Avarielle Low, 26

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Occupation: Freelance content creator
Instagram: @kaseyavariellelow 

A quick look at Kasey’s Instagram page will reveal that she loves travelling and basking in the sunlight along gorgeous beaches. Kasey was in a 5.5-year relationship with her ex before they broke off, so she was open to a new relationship prior to joining the show.

With over 58,000 followers on Instagram, Kasey isn’t shy to show off snippets of her exciting life adventures. Her dealbreakers include men who are rude to old people and children, unhygienic and don’t like cats.

4. Roziana Cindy, 26

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Occupation: Real estate agent
Instagram: @rozianacindy 

Roziana is a lady of many talents — from singing, acting and even running a realtor account as a real estate agent. It seems like there’s almost nothing she can’t do. She enjoys working out at the gym, playing with her pet cat Scotty and sharing fun food reviews on her Instagram page too.

Rozianna’s dealbreakers are rude men with bad personal hygiene. As someone who loves trying out new things, she hopes her future partner is open to exploring places with her.

5. Dania Ervianny Nah, 22

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Occupation: Student
Instagram: @daniaerviannynah 

As the baby of the group, Dania might still be a student, but she certainly has big dreams. She enjoys sharing about her active life with basketball and gym lifting on her Instagram page.

Half of Dania’s heart is already taken by her fur babies Prince the rabbit and Princess the hamster, where her followers can find cute animal pics on @goodestprincenprincess. As someone who’s 168cm, Dania’s dealbreakers are short guys. 

Also read:

6 Must-See Moments From One Week Love From Best To Worst, Including Aggressive Flirting Attempts

Males

1. Oliver Loo, 24

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Occupation: Model
Instagram: @ollivoo_ 

Adventurous, passionate and active, Oliver isn’t afraid to learn from new experiences. Despite being a tad bit shy, Oliver is also a model at Mannequin Studio Management, featuring in magazines like Men’s Folio and ELLE MEN. 

Oliver’s dealbreakers are ladies who are petty and not independent. 

2. Sam Driscoll, 30

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Occupation: Musician
Instagram: @thesamdriscoll 

If you were on Singaporean YouTube in 2012, Sam Driscoll, who used to go by the name Sammy Dee, will undoubtedly be a familiar face to you. The freelance musician who always has a guitar on hand now performs gigs at various bars, even releasing his own original songs on Spotify. 

After taking a 2-year hiatus on YouTube, Sam is back to posting videos and sharing more music with his audiences. His dealbreakers are women who trash talk their exes and are rude to people. 

3. Garialdi Salim, 28

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Occupation: Management consultant
Instagram: @garialdisalim 

Not gonna lie — at first glance, Garialdi’s charisma reminds us of Jin Taek from Single’s Inferno Season 1. According to his Instagram page, Garialdi loves travelling, skating and also enjoying a drink or two at the bars. He joined One Week Love in hopes to expand his social circle and find love.

Garialdi’s dealbreakers are women who are liars and are unsupportive. He also doesn’t like it when people try too hard to be someone else.

4. Tinesh Brendan Jacob, 26

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Occupation: Freelancer
Instagram: @tineshbrendan 

Brendan is pretty much the life of the party — he’s loud, talkative and a whole lot of fun. He used to be a soccer player back in secondary school, but now enjoys hanging out with his friends and modelling in his free time.

His dealbreakers are hilariously similar to Gordon Ramsay’s — pineapples on pizza. Apart from that, he’s not fond of partners who don’t get along well with his family. 

5. Donovan Wong Tun Shaun, 27

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Occupation: Freelance personal trainer
Instagram: @donovanwongtunshaun

With detailed tattoos across his arms and a ripped body, Donovan is the newest addition from Episode 3 of One Week Love. Despite surprising all the contestants, Donovan’s bad boy look didn’t deter him from easing into the show. He claims he doesn’t have much experience in relationships, and he’s looking for someone to match his fun vibes.

These Attractive Contestants Of One Week Love Will Be Gracing Our Screens For Weeks To Come

Now that we’ve had a quick introduction of all the contestants, stay tuned to Netflix to watch the full drama unfold. One Week Love premieres on 14 February 2024, so buckle up your seatbelts, because you’re in for a ride that will take you through a series of intense challenges and dates — all condensed into one week.

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Which brings us back to the question: can you really fall in love in one week? We’ll let you be the judge. 

Cover: Source, source, source
Disclaimer: ZULA and TheSmartLocal are companies under TSL Media.
This post was first published on 19 October 2022 and last updated on 14 February 2024.

Also read:

Gender Inequality In Singapore: 7 Moments From One Week Love That We Can Still Do Better In

The post Meet The Contestants Of One Week Love, SG’s Reality Dating Show: Occupations, Hobbies & Dealbreakers appeared first on ZULA.sg.

When it comes to the music scene in Singapore, most of us can name familiar faces such as Benjamin Kheng and Taufik Batisah. But there are so many more local artists to be supportive of, such as 22-year-old Shye, a rising self-made singer who stuns us with her multi-talented skills. She self-composes her own music and even won international awards, just to name a few achievements.

From her breakthrough at the Vans Music Wanted contest when she was 16, to gaining over 1 million plays for a hit single on Spotify, read on to find out more about the singer who’s paving her own way towards her dreams.

1. Her first name is Trinity

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Although she always goes by the name “Shye”, it’s actually her middle name. Shye’s full name is Trinity Shye-Anne Brown. 

In 2021, she released an album titled “Hello Trinity”, and revealed in an interview that it was a way to celebrate her story through stitching her name into who she is today. 

2. She’s half Chinese and half British

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Shye is a full Singaporean through and through, but her unique surname “Brown” comes from her British father and her mother is Singaporean Chinese. When she travelled to the UK for the NME Asia Awards 2022, she proudly captured a photo of herself there with the caption “in the fatherland” on Instagram.

3. Has 3 brothers and is close to her mother

Shye and her younger brother when they were kids
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The singer also has 3 brothers — 2 of which are older and one younger brother. She has constantly expressed her fondness for her younger brother on her Instagram page, even calling him her “bestie” and feeling sad that he’s growing up too fast. 

Shye and her mother
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Shye is also very close to her mother, and shared in an interview that “my mother is my confidant and my best friend, and I know she’s always got my back”. 

While many conservative Asian families may find it hard to openly express our love for our family, Shye clearly has no hesitations. Some of us can even learn a thing or two about their heartwarming and strong familial bond. 

4. Auditioned for Okto Star at 10 years old

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Shye always appears confident on stage, probably because the singer has been performing nearly her whole life. When she was 10, Shye auditioned for Okto Star and adorably sang “The Climb” by Miley Cryus. 

As a young kid with big dreams, she shared on the show that she hopes to be a Disney princess. While we’re not sure if this dream still applies to 20-year-old Shye now, she’s certainly on track to achieve bigger dreams. 

5. Breakthrough came when she won the Vans Music Wanted Contest

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When Shye was 16, her mother came across a Facebook advertisement for a singing contest known as Vans Music Wanted Contest. She casually brought it up over dinner, and Shye willingly signed up with a “see how” mindset. 

Who would’ve thought that this would become a huge turning point in her career, as she eventually clinched the winning title as the youngest contestant there? Since then, Shye’s public recognition grew and she embarked on her journey as a singer-producer. 

6. Studied at LASALLE College Of The Arts

Shye studied Audio Production at LASALLE College Of The Arts. However, she confessed in an interview that being a student and artist at the same time was very tough on her. Imagine chionging for your submissions while releasing an album at the same time? Yikes.

7. Her debut album “Days to Morning Glory” was entirely self-produced

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In 2020, Shye debuted her first full album titled “Days to Morning Glory”. While she was only 17 at the time, she single-handedly completed all the writing, production and instrumental work herself.

8. Recorded her 2018 EP August7ine using earphones

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In an interview with FEMALE, Shye opened up that “a lot of my independence stems largely from how I had started out making music when I did not have the right equipment and did not know anything about music”. 

She started out with using Garageband in her bedroom and recorded her 2018 EP “August7ine” using her Apple earphones. Till today, she continues to write and produce music from the comfort of her room, showcasing her passion for learning more about music through the years.

9. Her hit single “999” has over 1 million plays on Spotify

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Her hard work and dedication towards pursuing her dreams has certainly paid off, as Shye’s hit single “999” has over 1 million plays on Spotify. On top of that, her Billie Eillish cover of “wish you were gay” has achieved nearly 3 million plays on soundcloud. 

10. Had a Spotify Billboard poster of her at New York Times Square

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It’s not every day one gets to have a public poster of their face on it, let alone a Billboard poster at New York Times Square. Shye ticked off this achievement in 2021 when she spotted a Spotify Billboard poster of herself, as part of their Equal Campaign in support of female artists all over the world.

From the bedroom to the Billboard, this iconic poster was truly a #girlboss moment for her.   

11. Won Best New Act From Asia at the NME Asia Awards 2022

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At the NME Asia Awards 2022, Shye stunned us all by clinching the title of Best New Act From Asia. If you’re wondering how big this event was, this award has put her in the running for the Best New Act In The World category, alongside famous artists like Olivia Rodrigo. Good 4 u, Shye. 

Also read:

16 Facts About Loh Kean Yew Like Being World’s Top 20 Badminton Player & An Instant Coffee Ambassador

12. Loves K-pop

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Shye showed up on the NME Asia Awards red carpet in a full-black get up with high-cut boots to add onto the edgy vibe. But that’s not all — she also had a tiny black pouch attached to her waist. After the event, Shye hilariously revealed in a TikTok video that she kept only the essentials in there — her K-pop photocards.

Showing off her collection of groups such as TXT, Billie, ITZY, Stray Kids, Enhypen and BTS, Shye is truly out here representing all K-pop stans. She even captioned the video “emotional support besties”. Seeing as TXT is active on TikTok too, we sincerely hope Soobin watched this video.  

13. Designed and commissioned her own merch

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Apart from writing and producing her own songs, Shye revealed more talents when she designed and commissioned her own merch too. In conjunction with her “Hello Trinity” album, Shye released an album set that reminds us of typical K-pop album details. 

It’s not surprising, considering she’s such a big fan of K-pop — the album comes complete with a postcard letter, photocards, sticker set and even an exclusive polaroid. She also designed additional merch such as hoodies and a bucket hat. 

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For reference, this is how K-pop idols usually market their albums. Seeing the similarity? Perhaps one day, we might see Shye’s photocards on the Carousell market too.

14. She’s a trained dancer

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Adding onto her list of talents, a quick glance at Shye’s Instagram and TikTok page will reveal that she’s also fond of dancing. She often posts K-pop dance covers, and some might even say that she looks similar to BLACKPINK’s Lisa when she dances. 

Dancing wasn’t just a casual hobby for her, as the singer used to be a trained dancer from when she was 3 years old. Having trained in ballet, Chinese dance, tap dance and jazz in the past, now Shye finds joy in exploring the K-pop genre. 

15. Has 88.7K followers on TikTok

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As a Gen Z singer, somehow it just feels expected for Shye to be on TikTok. From posting dance covers, behind-the-scenes and funny memes, Shye has amassed a whopping number of over 88,700 followers on TikTok.

16. Wants to try out for a musical

When asked what other areas of interest she would like to achieve, Shye revealed in an interview that she wants to try out for a musical. Seeing that the singer had played one of the orphans for the musical “Annie” in Singapore back in 2012, it seems like she’s ready for a musical comeback. 

Hopefully, this means we can expect to see more variety of stages from the all-rounded performer soon.

17. Sang the bridge of the NDP 2021 song

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From Kit Chan to Stefanie Sun, the National Day Parade has paved the way for local singers. Fun fact: Shye also made her mark as an NDP singer for the 2021 parade. For the song “The Road Ahead”, Shye sang the bridge of the song alongside local singers Linying, Sezairi and Shabir. 

And yes, in case you were wondering, it is the song behind that TikTok meme dance with the lyrics “see this island, every grain of sand…” 

18. Gets nervous when she sees big crowds

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It’s safe to say that Shye is pretty much a born performer, as she’s been on stage almost all her life. However, despite performing often in front of huge crowds, she admits that she still gets nervous every time. 

19. Fronted MCM’s Spring Summer 2022 campaign with Benjamin Kheng

Image courtesy of MCM

Since the music industry is rather small in Singapore, seeing our fave local singers supporting each other is always a heartwarming sight. Benjamin Kheng and Shye have constantly expressed their friendship on social media, and in March 2022, the iconic duo fronted MCM’s Spring Summer collection with fashionable accessories. 

Dear MCM, you can’t just drop these pictures and not expect us to crave for more. Can we see these two in a future song collab too? 

20. Her biggest personal resolution is to get her driver’s licence

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Apart from singing and performing, Shye shared in an interview that her biggest personal resolution is to get her driver’s licence. “Once I get my licence, I want to drive my mother around and pick my little brother up from school.”

Maybe we might even get to see Shye driving in her own music video some day.

Shye’s Passion For Music Has Made Her Journey As A Self-Made Singer Worth it

While Shye is having fun either singing, dancing or modelling for new campaigns, this ball of endless energy also wants to make space for dropping new music and performing a show or two. Stay tuned to her Instagram page for more updates on her, and we’re looking forward to seeing more live performances from Shye again soon.

Cover: Source, source, image courtesy of MCM
This article was first published on 18 March 2022 and last updated on 28 January 2024.

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The post 20 Facts About Singapore-Based Singer Shye, Like Being An Okto Child Star & Loving K-Pop appeared first on ZULA.sg.