
I-dle's Minnie shares why the K-pop group changed its name and hints at a world tour
Recently, however, a popular girl group made waves for rebranding its name following the renewal of its contract. The group formerly known as (G)I-dle has since ditched the 'G', becoming I-dle.
We spoke to member Minnie, who was in Singapore on Wednesday (Jun 18) for the opening of apparel company Skechers' flagship store at Bugis Junction, to find out more about this development.
'Since we just renewed our contract for our seventh anniversary, we decided to rebrand our group,' shared the 27-year-old singer who hails from Bangkok, Thailand.
'Since this is the new chapter of our group, I think it's a good time to rebrand,' added Minnie, whose full name is Nicha Yontararak.
Perhaps it is fitting, then, that Minnie was in town to celebrate the revamped Skechers Bugis Junction store, which now boasts a refreshed design and an expanded product range.
As it turns out, Minnie herself has been a longtime fan of Skechers, after taking a liking to a pair of its shoes during her trainee days.
'I got to try a pair of Skechers shoes and it was very comfy. I just loved wearing them for practise,' she recalled.
These days, the Good Thing singer prefers to wear shoes that are both comfortable and stylish as she 'has to move around all day'.
'I prefer something that can keep up with my feet, so I think Skechers is the best choice for me,' said Minnie.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by SORN (@sssorn_chonnasorn)
And move around she has.
Minnie, who arrived in Singapore a couple of days before the Skechers event, managed to see the Merlion and visit Marina Bay Sands and Universal Studios Singapore during this trip.
She even shared that she had chilli crab and mantou 'right away' after she landed, having asked her team to bring her to 'a chilli crab place', before flashing us a thumbs-up.
I-dle's most recent album, We Are, dropped on May 19 and Minnie has hinted that the group's next world tour 'is coming sooner than you think'.
'We just can't wait to be back in Singapore and perform for you guys again, so please look forward to our next world tour,' promised Minnie.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CNA
a minute ago
- CNA
How to make the most of a long pause between jobs and reap the benefits of a well-planned career break
After more than seven years working as a marketing manager, Ms Sue Ann Teo decided to take a career break from last October despite enjoying the work-life balance at her company and her working relationship with colleagues. She did not feel burnt out, but said that she just "wasn't fulfilled anymore". "I needed a change. In my line of work, you see people spending money on ridiculously priced things. And there's so much suffering in the world where the money can go," the 42-year-old said of working for a brand-name company dealing in luxury products. She has not jumped back to full-time work for now and is enjoying the extended break while doing part-time work for a startup. Career breaks, sometimes called sabbaticals, are emerging as an attractive option for segments of the workforce. Career coaches told CNA TODAY that people might do so because of evolving life priorities and caregiving responsibilities. Ms Shub Faujdar, chief career coach at consulting company JobS-ME Singapore, said that early-career professionals in their 20s in particular are rejecting the idea that they have to work non-stop and enjoy the fruits of their labour only in old age. These workers are temporarily stepping off the treadmill to reassess what they want in a move called " micro-retirement", a term that has recently been gaining traction on social media. However, there is a key difference between career breaks and simply being unemployed, career coaches said. The former is a deliberate pause to rest, upskill, pursue personal goals or travel. The person on a career break maintains a sense of empowerment and ownership. Ms Allison Ching, founder of life-coaching practice Dream, Do, Deliver, said: "They often have a plan or reflection process on how they want to grow, reset or re-enter the workforce." On the other hand, those who are jobless by no choice of their own – due to layoffs, for instance – often carry a sense of loss with no control of the situation because they were put into that situation involuntarily. However, the difference is not always about the circumstances. Career experts stressed that it is more about one's intention and mindset. "The way someone owns and frames that time is what changes the narrative from a passive gap to an active decision," Ms Faujdar said. REPRIEVE FROM THE HUSTLE Career mobility coach Wong Meiling noted that there are a few key groups who are more inclined to take a break. The first is mothers with pre-schoolers or teenagers in critical academic years such as the Primary School Leaving Examination or O-Levels. These mothers may want to take time off to help their children focus on their academic milestones. Some may also step back from work to manage mounting family responsibilities such as caring for ageing parents or sick relatives. The impetus is not always external. Mid-senior-level career professionals in their mid-30s to 40s sometimes pause to reassess their lives and look for more meaningful work. Young adults in their late 20s and early 30s may also feel a need to resign from their jobs in order to figure out what they truly want from their careers. 'While it happens across industries, it's more common in high-pressure sectors like banking, tech and healthcare where burnout is a real challenge,' Ms Wong said. Ms Faujdar believes that the primary enabler of this trend is that more people now have the means to do it. She said a voluntary career break was not even an option for earlier generations, but is now financially viable for adults still far from retirement age. This was the case for Mr Ho Shu Huang, 43, who left his job as a teaching fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in 2022. He said that he was able to step back from full-time work chiefly because he had been diligent in saving and investing money since he entered the workforce more than 18 years ago. He does not have any children and his mother is financially self-sufficient. "Years later, that kind of consistency (was what) gave me the option to take a break." Another factor driving the interest in career breaks is that there are many options available now outside of traditional employment, Ms Faujdar said. With the rise of the gig economy, more people can work on a project basis without sacrificing relevancy in their field. "If money is the only thing that people are getting from their work, they can become more open to exploring options," she added. During her break, Ms Teo the former marketing manager started working part-time for her ex-colleague's generative artificial intelligence (AI) startup. "That's fun because I don't have a full-time commitment. It's just a couple of hours a week," she said. This side hustle also gave her the opportunity to realise that she is interested in product and project management. POSITIVE RESET When approached with intention, a career break can be a powerful reset. Ms Ching said that such a move offers one the space to "step off the hamster wheel" and reflect on what truly matters. It is also a chance to reskill or experiment with new vocations and industries before making a permanent move, Ms Wong said. She has seen clients return from a break with stronger focus and energy, having identified roles or companies that align with their refreshed priorities. One of Ms Ching's clients, a woman in her late 30s, took a year-long break from her banking role to care for her father who was struggling with late-stage cancer. During that time, she enrolled in a digital transformation banking course that complemented her knowledge in banking operations. Later, she was able to re-enter the workforce in a more senior role. Senior career coach Joey Kang from government agency Workforce Singapore raised the possibility that people taking time off for childcare or eldercare may develop interests in early childhood education or gerontology, which is the study of old age and of the changes that it causes in the body. "They may then gain relevant skills during their break and switch to these fields when returning to work, effectively turning their break into a pathway to a new career," Ms Kang said. However, a career break may come with some downsides, the coaches said. One common risk is a loss of momentum. Ms Ching said that professionals might find it tough to re-enter the workforce, particularly if the break extends longer than planned and is not accompanied by ongoing engagement or upskilling. "There can also be bias from hiring managers who may question the gaps if they're not well-articulated or framed in a constructive way," she added. Those returning from a career break might also face difficulties negotiating salaries comparable to their previous positions, Ms Kang said. Another potential pitfall: loss of confidence. Without structure, validation and routine of work, some people can begin to doubt their relevance, Ms Ching said, especially if they are not staying connected to their network or industry. BECOMING CAPTAIN OF YOUR OWN SHIP For people considering a career break, how can they best avoid these pitfalls? Before going on a hiatus, there must be thorough preparation, Ms Kang said. They can start by determining a clear time frame and creating a detailed financial plan for how they would support themselves throughout the planned period. They should also develop specific goals and measurable outcomes, such as completing an upskilling programme within three months of the career break or updating their resume one month before the break ends. While on a break, what can micro-retirees do to make sure they are not left behind as their industry and the working world go on without them? The key is not to disappear, Ms Wong advised. "Out of sight often means out of mind. Staying visible is what keeps you on the radar of potential employers or collaborators." This can be done by maintaining a presence on LinkedIn, for instance. You may consider posting regular updates about what you are learning or doing while on the break, whether it is taking up courses or workshops, or even volunteering. Engage with your network by making thoughtful comments on posts that other people put out, asking questions or sharing relevant insights from your field with them. "Catch up with ex-colleagues over coffee or set up informal chats to gather industry updates and explore opportunities when you're ready to return," Ms Wong proposed. Another tip to keep your network warm is to join interest groups or communities that relate to you, Ms Ching said. Attend the occasional webinar, networking event or professional group meet. For instance, Ms Ching often encourages her clients who are seeking to speak more confidently to join Toastmasters, a nonprofit organisation that teaches public speaking skills, as a way to exchange ideas and build connections. "Ultimately, staying relevant during a break is about being curious, visible and authentic." All this considered, Ms Teo who used to work for a brand-name company seems to be on the right track. She recently took part in a generative AI bootcamp and hopes to enrol in a product management course using her SkillsFuture credits. However, she is in no rush to re-enter the workforce. For now, she is focused on spending her free time with friends, walking her dog and working on side projects such as cross-stitching or repainting her house – things in life that bring her joy. "I don't feel a strong need to apply for a job right now," she said, adding that she does not feel willing to commit to another full-time role unless the job "really calls out" to her. She also has no issue with living costs and has been travelling for leisure as well. As for the potential gap in her resume when she chooses to return to the corporate world, she is not bothered by that.


CNA
a minute ago
- CNA
He used to want 'everything' to excel, but filmmaker Boo Junfeng now knows what matters most for an NDP show
It was close to two weeks before Singapore's National Day when I met Mr Boo Junfeng at the Padang. He is the creative director of this year's National Day Parade (NDP), specifically the song-and-dance show after the initial formal ceremonial segment. We were set to meet him at his workspace – a shipping container repurposed as an office at the Padang, part of the event's temporary infrastructure. The 41-year-old was in a meeting – one of many scheduled for the week – but he graciously welcomed me and my colleagues into the space. He reminded us that he had to leave by 3.30pm, which meant that we had just under an hour for an interview, not including time for photos and getting some video footage. "I've another meeting after this," he said, looking remarkably at ease, as if the hectic pace was just another day in his life. This was the man who, at 34, became the youngest-ever creative director of the NDP in 2018, followed by another stint in 2021. Helming that same role today for Singapore's landmark 60th birthday edition, Mr Boo was clearly in his element. He was making last-minute changes to stage cues, reviewing performance footage from the previous rehearsal and fine-tuning a show that must move not just the live audience at the venues, but everyone watching the telecast here and overseas. For the first time in NDP history, the spectacle would extend across two locations – from the Padang to Marina Bay – with the second venue serving as what he called a "second canvas". The goal is to make this National Day special to more Singaporeans, expanding the stage so that more people can feel like they have front-row seats. "People usually go to Marina Bay to catch the fireworks and aerial displays, but they would feel like they are outside of the centre of the show," he said. "But this time around, we are trying to make it such that even if you're at Marina Bay, you could feel like you are a part of the centre stage. We are putting speakers all around the bay so that people can minimally hear the music and what's going on at the Padang." For the first time, a bay-wide speaker system will broadcast synchronised audio across Marina Bay. There will also be emcees in the bay area to engage the crowd, bringing the festivities closer to the waterfront crowd. There are even choreographed moments to sync between both locations. "We want people to feel like they have front-row seats to a national show," he added. One such moment is a special cross-venue performance of last year's NDP theme song, Not Alone. Veteran singer Rahimah Rahim will perform live at the Padang, while the song's composer and vocalist Benjamin Kheng will sing from a mobile floating stage at Marina Bay for the duet. "I think it might be the most ambitious NDP so far in terms of scale," Mr Boo said sheepishly. And he might be right, if the descriptions and rehearsals for the upcoming Aug 9 show are anything to go by. In addition to more than 39 artistes and 3,000 performers involved in the show, this year's show will feature a specially designed 360-degree centre stage at the Padang – the largest mobile stage in NDP history – along with light projections on buildings, massive floats designed by artists with disabilities and the much-loved fireworks display. Audiences can expect four land floats at the Padang and another four water floats at Marina Bay. These elements are more than just creative flourishes. For Mr Boo, they serve to lift the storyline, theme and messages, to showcase Singaporeans whose life stories often go unheard. AN INTEREST IN EVERYDAY SINGAPOREANS Having been a filmmaker since 2004, Mr Boo made a name for himself when, in 2010, his debut feature film Sandcastles was screened at the Cannes Film Festival's 49th International Critics' Week and then at various international film festivals. It was a coming-of-age story about a boy having to take care of his grandmother who was slipping into dementia. His second feature film Apprentice, about a prison guard and an executioner, premiered in 2016 at Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard and was Singapore's entry for Best Foreign Language Film in the 2017 Oscars. With several award-winning short films under his name, it was no surprise that he was tapped to bring a storytelling lens to the NDP and he has worked to anchor the show in stories about the human experience. He has a deep interest in spotlighting everyday Singaporeans – people with hopes, ideas and a vision for the country, especially those who are not in the news or featured on social media. The scale of this year's show was so immense that he was approached early last year to take on the role of creative director – a whole year-and-a-half ahead of the parade. Typically, the process begins just a year in advance, he said. Since then, he and his team have spent months talking to Singaporeans from all walks of life about their past, present and future aspirations, using those voices to shape the emotional arc of the show. "When I think about where the world is headed today, or perhaps not knowing where it is headed, it is that change has always been part of life," he said. "People before us have faced just as much of a transformation, if not a more drastic one. And there is strength to be drawn from those stories." In the second act of the show, massive floats will be featured, inspired by artworks from artists with disabilities. The floats, designed by these artists, showcase their visions of the future and are powerful symbols of inclusivity and creativity, the NDP's website stated. Mr Boo said: "The goal is to include more voices, allowing more people to feel that they are part of the national story, regardless of their background." This human-first approach is not new for him. He has long been drawn to quiet, emotionally layered stories, often exploring themes of memory, identity and belonging in his films. He now brings this same sensibility in telling the country's story on its biggest national stage. For the past NDP shows he directed, he featured stories of migrant workers and ex-offenders striving for second chances, grounded on his personal belief that there is room for a more empathetic society. "This year, there is a significant focus on people with disabilities. It has always been my hope to inspire more empathy and understanding (among various communities)." WITH EXPERIENCE COMES CONFIDENCE There are few creative jobs quite like orchestrating the NDP's show segment. As creative director, Mr Boo oversees everything from conceptualising the show's theme, storyline and staging, as well as working with a team of artistes, musicians, designers, choreographers and filmmakers to bring his vision to life. It is a mammoth undertaking involving thousands of participants and requiring careful planning and coordination, but he has learnt much from his earlier experiences directing the NDP shows. "I used to focus a lot on achieving professional excellence in the choreography, the performances, everything. But over time, I've come to appreciate that even when things are a little rough around the edges, it can still be incredibly powerful," he said. "What matters most is the spirit of the performers and how they reflect the broader community of Singaporeans. That, to me, is just as meaningful." Before becoming the creative director for the first time, Mr Boo had served as film and multimedia director at three NDP shows, with veteran musician-songwriter Dick Lee at the helm. "I have (him) to thank for roping me in as early as 2010 and again in 2014 and 2015. I learned a lot during those years about what it takes to put together (a show of this scale). "But of course, when I took on the role of creative director myself in 2018, I injected what I understood as a filmmaker into the process and tried to do things my way," he said, recalling that he was also guided by his team's feedback, often bouncing ideas off them to make everything work. Especially when it came to the performance segments, Mr Boo admitted that he often felt like a fish out of water because he was unfamiliar with the theatrical side of things. "I relied a lot on the team to propose ideas on what the costumes should look like, the music and the choreography. But now, I am more comfortable saying, 'No, don't do that' or 'Why not try this instead?' "(The confidence) does come with experience. I am now much better at being specific about what I think we should have (for the show)," he added. Certainly, looking back now, there were moments where he wished he had done things differently and when such situations surfaced again this time, he was able to refine them. "In 2018, I relied heavily on the film segments to tell the story or communicate the themes. In 2021, during COVID-19, we used animation and a short film to do the same," he said. "This time round, there is still a short film, but I feel the performances in between have become stronger and more coherent. What surprised me this time was how much the performances themselves could carry the story." Although Mr Boo's films have travelled the world, the NDP is as close to home as it gets, yet he does not feel that his global achievements have fundamentally changed how he sees himself as a Singaporean. "While my films are my own artistic expression, I see my role in NDP closer to that of a designer responding to a brief," he said. "Sometimes, I inject my own point of view and naturally, aspects of my worldview do find their way into the show. But ultimately, I am designing something to suit the purpose of the occasion." TELLING A STORY THAT RESONATES At home with his family, National Day came with its own routine – his father would hang the Singapore flag each August and Mr Boo would help. Over time, it became a quiet tradition. And when it came to the parade, Mr Boo said his favourite parts when he was growing up were the fireworks, the Red Lions parachutists and the roaring flypast. "Anything that made you tilt your head up," he said. "As a child, the things that stuck with me were always in the sky. That is something I still hold onto today when designing the show," he added. "I try to create moments where people are not just looking straight ahead but looking up, looking back and looking all around, so that the experience feels full and immersive." When asked about his earliest memories of watching the NDP, Mr Boo recalled attending a couple of them with his whole family when he was still in primary school. "My dad was a civil servant, so I attended one or two NDPs when I was young and those moments stayed with us." His connection with the NDP deepened years later, when he first got involved behind the scenes as a volunteer camera assistant during film school in 2002. "We laid cables for the video cameras and were responsible for taking shots from the tower," he recounted. Coincidentally, the creative director that year was veteran artiste Dick Lee – a name that would resurface in Mr Boo's career years later when they worked together on the 2010, 2014 and 2015 shows. Remembering the emotional impact of watching NDP live as a young boy, Mr Boo said that this shaped his approach as well when he became creative director for the show. He wanted to make sure that every performance – rehearsal or not – feels complete and meaningful. "That is why we always try to make the (rehearsals) feel as ready and complete as possible, even though it is still very early in the process when those shows happen." In the years when he was not involved in the show as creative director, he usually watched the NDP from home, Mr Boo said, because he was curious to see how other directors or artists interpreted and presented the themes of National Day. As for whether he plans to take a break after wrapping up 18 months of work for the NDP, the answer was no. "I'll be jumping right back into my next feature film, from which I took a break to do NDP. We're hoping to complete it by early next year," he said. The film, shot in Taiwan and Singapore, has been eight years in the making – and that was all he would say about the project. On what he hopes viewers could take away from this year's show, he pointed to a line in this year's NDP theme song Here We Are, performed by Singapore artistes Charlie Lim, Kit Chan and The Island Voices. It goes like this: to be seen, heard and known. "When I first came across the lyrics, they really struck me," Mr Boo said. "To some degree, that's what we do as artists – we tell stories, shine a light on a sentiment, a feeling, a character. And with something like NDP, we try to do that on the broadest possible scale.


CNA
31 minutes ago
- CNA
Money Mind 2025/2026 - Not Going To Waste
Can eating surplus food save you money? Aim for property or aim for retirement: the choice that helped one woman achieve financial freedom at 43. Plus, meet the Malaysian who lives in his car.