Kwok Kar Peng
By the end of this year, Tan Wei Lian, Kelly Poon and Hong Junyang would no longer be our stars-next-door. The three homegrown singers, brought to fame a year ago by Singapore viewers via singing competition Project SuperStar, would be heading north to Taiwan and China to conquer bigger pastures. After witnessing their metamorphoses from being a gawky youth, an unpolished beauty and a geeky undergrad, to possessing self-assured confidence on stage and in front of inquisitive reporters, one can heave a sigh of reluctance and let these newbies venture into unchartered territories. In perhaps our last interview with them, we ask Wei Lian, Kelly and Junyang their plans for the future and with what emotions they would have leaving our tiny island. Related Story: Birth of Project SuperStar Top 24 Related Story: PSS Top 24 Audition Photo Gallery
Wei Lian last year Wei Lian today
Kelly last year Kelly today Junyang last year Junyang today
 | Where’s Wei Lian going? The tentative plan right now is for Wei Lian to go to China first to further his career most likely at the end of this year. “Of course I’m ok with going China! Any chance for me to further my music career, I would want to pursue,” he stressed. How does Wei Lian feel about leaving? “It’s every artiste hope to go international. I’m definitely not scared because I’m a very independent person. I travel overseas for holidays with my friends and we go our own way there. Plus, I eat anything!” he chattered warmly. His family is naturally very happy for him. He added, “My parents never expected their son would have this chance! The transition from a street busker to a record-selling singer is quite amazing and things have changed so much in this one year.” What must Wei Lian bring with him? “I must bring my laptop, handphone and MP3 player. I’m not a sentimental person so no teddy bears etc,” he declared. What will Wei Lian miss? “I’ll miss Singapore if I stay overseas for too long. Even though I can talk to my friends via MSN or Skype, we’re communicating only via text and it’s not the same as being with them face to face.” What I’ll miss about Wei Lian: His startling independence, straightforwardness with issues that sighted people think are sensitive and his chattiness. |
 | Where’s Kelly going? The skinny girl with the big voice will be heading to Taiwan or Beijing, China by the end of this year. At the helm of her foray into the international music scene is Yao Chien, the man who behind the successes of Taiwanese singing sensations Coco Lee and Elva Hsiao. In the meantime, Kelly will be completing her endorsement obligations with Zenique, Maybelline and NETS, and other performances like the upcoming 6th Global Chinese Music Awards later this month. How does Kelly feel about leaving? “Since I’ll be away overseas for a long period of time, I tell myself I must be steady, and can’t stick to my family. I have to be independent, but I think I’ve already prepared myself since I was an air stewardess before and have been away from home up to nine days. Never mind, I can always MSN my friends every day. I’m very happy that my family is very supportive; my mum may even follow me there and stay for the first few weeks,” she said. Even though she’s scared, Kelly put on a brave front and told us she’ll take her new work overseas seriously. In preparation, she’s taking piano, dance and language classes now. “I adapt to new environments very well so I think I should be ok there. It’s just that I can be quiet initially and people might think I have an attitude problem. But if I talk a lot with people I’ve just met, they’ll think I’m weird,” she added. What must Kelly bring with her? “I must bring the Buddha pendant my mum gave me, my laptop, my doggy soft toy and just whatever else I can bring with me!” laughed Kelly. What will Kelly miss? “I will miss my family, friends and food like roti prata, nasi lemak and curry. Even though Taiwan and China has spicy food like ma la soup, it’s not curry!” she moaned. What I’ll miss about Kelly: Her very effervescent and laidback character, her slightly auntie-ish talkative nature and lack of airs. |
 | Where’s Junyang going? After a very successful debut album launched earlier in May, one would expect Junyang to plunge immediately into the production of his second album, but instead he chooses to take a Sabbath. “Things happened too fast this past one year and I never had time to ponder about what I want. Now, I want to take a step back to absorb, study, train myself and think about the road I want to take,” he told us in Mandarin, his weaker language, so as to improve his mastery of it. Because before the year ends, Junyang will be packing his bags to Taiwan to live for a few months to familiarise himself with the environment and catch up with friends like buddy JJ Lin Junjie and Malaysian singer Lin Yu Zhong. He believes a change of environment would help in his song-writing. Right now, he’s furthering his knowledge about music, writing songs and reading more books written in traditional Chinese. How does Junyang feel about leaving? “I’m not worried at all; in fact I’m looking forward to a new life there because I’ve always to see the world. When I’m in Taiwan, I’ll get to see for myself how people protest haha!” he joked. Neither is he feeling fretful about the notorious Taiwanese paparazzi. He explained, “Every job has its sacrifices. The paparazzi is ok, after all, Taipei is so big so the artistes and reporters are all spaced out.” What must Junyang bring with him? “All my music equipment, including my laptop which I write music with… these are very important… money, my bolster and family photos,” he told us. What I’ll miss about Junyang: His genuine happiness every time he meets us, his goofy laughter and blur look His second album will most probably be released next year. |
 | On another note: We met Misaki (left) and Kuek (right) of SuperBand's Lucify at the Project SuperStar Top 24 audition last Sun Oct 8 and learned that despite Warner Music expressing interest in signing them on at the SuperBand Grand Final, they have not been approached for a contract. Lucify is considering funding their debut album and also organising a mini-concert. Stay glued for more news! |
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