Where Chow Yun Fat was spotted at while in Singapore for Star Awards 2025, Entertainment News
In several Xiaohongshu posts last Saturday (July 5), netizens spotted the 70-year-old visiting Legendary Bak Kut Teh with his Singaporean wife Jasmine Tan and their entourage.
Dressed fully in black with a mask and cap, Yun Fat, affectionately known as Fat-gor (brother Fat), was seen getting off a black SUV along South Bridge Road and making his way into the eatery.
Inside the eatery, he and Tan were ushered to a table in front of a photo wall of celebrities who had dined there before.
@mengchoo0 Chow yun fat in Singapore #周润发#新加坡#红星大奖2025 ♬ 原聲 - 賭神-周潤發
Legendary Bak Kut Teh's owner also posted an Instagram Story after his visit and included a selfie that Fat-gor had taken with her, where she thanked him for visiting. Ya Kun Kaya Toast
That's not all to Fat-gor's food adventure in Singapore as he also visited Ya Kun Kaya Toast, believed to be the outlet at China Street.
In an Instagram post yesterday, the brand posted selfies that he had taken with staff members there.
In the caption, they wrote: "Star power meets kopi power! Spotted the legendary Chow Yun Fat enjoying a taste of tradition at Ya Kun recently."
The avid jogger was also spotted at Sentosa's Palawan beach on a morning run.
In a TikTok post on Monday, a netizen posted selfies that he and others took with Fat-gor while exercising.
He wrote in the caption: "I was lucky to meet Yun Fat, he is cool, handsome and very approachable."
@terence_lee 有幸遇见小马哥。发哥依旧潇洒、依旧帅气，非常亲民。🏃🏻♀️🏃🏃🏻♂️ #chowyunfat #周润发 #小马哥 #赌神 #晨跑 #sentosa #sentosaisland #sentosaislandsingapore #圣淘沙 ♬ original sound - mm2 Entertainment Singapore
[[nid:719950]]
yeo.shuhui@asiaone.com
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Part of the syllabus includes a mock K-pop trainee audition, where students apply what they have learnt. They are then given feedback from their trainers and SM Universe's faculty members, who are K-pop industry veterans, like in a real audition. 'Some critiques are painful to hear, but they push me to improve,' Qti says. She auditioned for several K-pop companies – including YG, the label behind Blackpink – in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, she attended two auditions: with Cube Entertainment, which manages girl group I-dle; and Pledis Entertainment, the agency of boy band Seventeen. All the South Korean trainers involved in the Singapore curriculum are industry experts who are part of the teaching pool in the main Seoul campus. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG After completing the intermediate programme, students can continue the curriculum for another week in the advanced training programme for the same price, which Cherise did. While Qti could not carry on due to school commitments, she plans to sign up when time permits. Juggling schoolwork and K-pop training Cherise started jazz dance at four years old and switched to Latin dance at seven, and has participated in numerous regional dancesport competitions where she was placed. Though the National Junior College Integrated Programme student discovered K-pop only in 2023, the fan of I-dle, Babymonster, IVE and Aespa has already decided that K-pop is the path for her. Cherise Sim continued with the advanced training programme after completing her intermediate lessons. ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH Prior to her lessons at SM Universe (Singapore), Cherise attended several private vocal and dance classes in Seoul in October 2024 after finishing her PSLE. She auditioned for The Black Label when the South Korean agency – which is behind popular artistes like Blackpink's Rose and BigBang's Taeyang – held the Singapore leg of its global try-outs in May. Cherise recalls the experience as nerve-racking but valuable, and says it further spurred her interest in K-pop. 'Over the two weeks, I gained a clearer understanding of how the K-pop industry works behind the scenes and what idols go through on a day-to-day basis,' she says. The Secondary 1 student admits juggling schoolwork, her dance co-curricular activity and K-pop training can be tiring, but is still manageable. She plans to continue her training, be it after school hours or during the school holidays, depending on the programme schedules at SM Universe (Singapore). If there is an opportunity, she also hopes to take up K-pop classes in Seoul. She is also brushing up on her Korean to understand and communicate better during training and auditions. 'I know some basic words and phrases. I'm not fluent, but I can read Hangul (the Korean alphabet).' Cherise's mother Kelly Ong, an entrepreneur in her 40s, encourages her only child to pursue her ambitions. 'People have questioned us on why we indulge in her K-pop dream, as this is an unconventional path for Singaporeans,' says Ms Ong. Cherise Sim and her mother, Ms Kelly Ong. The family is very supportive of Cherise's K-pop dreams. ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH 'But we believe in Cherise and we will do everything we can to help her.' Adds the doting mum: 'She has made sacrifices. We know it is not easy on her, but she is incredibly disciplined and understands the importance of striking a balance between her passion and academics.' The family has also considered letting Cherise relocate to Seoul to undergo full-time K-pop training if the opportunity arises. Though Ms Ong acknowledges that the chances of debuting are slim, she believes Cherise 'has a real shot through hard work, persistence and a bit of luck'. Training in the K-pop capital A Singaporean teenager who has taken one step closer is Cassa Tan. The 15-year-old has been training at SM Universe in Seoul since February, after it scouted her in January based on her dance videos on social media. Noting her drive and high potential for growth, SM Universe (Singapore) offered Cassa a six-month scholarship programme to train at the main academy. The scholarship covers training academy fees and partial support for her living expenses in Seoul. Singaporean teen Cassa Tan is pursuing her K-pop dreams at SM Universe training academy in Seoul. PHOTO: COURTESY OF CASSA TAN As a pre-trainee – one who has yet to be officially accepted by SM Entertainment – Cassa is expected to keep up with the demanding K-pop training as well as her studies at a South Korean performing arts high school. 'On weekdays, I attend school until the afternoon, followed by vocal and dance training, practice sessions and Korean lessons,' she says. Her weekends are equally packed, with more vocal and dance classes, and group practice sessions that stretch from noon to night. But the former Anderson Secondary School student has no regrets moving to the K-pop capital on her own. 'I miss my family and friends, but being in Seoul allows me to immerse myself in the local culture and improve my Korean through daily interactions,' says Cassa. 'I'm much closer to my dreams, but there is still a lot of room to grow. I'm pushing myself to improve each day.' Commitment and perseverance Mr Jonathan Ang, director of SM Universe (Singapore), says the academy – which has enrolled 200 students so far – is 'encouraged by the passion, discipline and drive shown by the Singaporean youth in our classes'. His advice to those who are serious about pursuing a K-pop career is to consistently refine their technical skills through specialised training, and to take advantage of 'Singapore's multilingualism to give them an edge in today's increasingly globalised K-pop industry'. K-pop agencies look for star potential, individuals who show promise to grow artistically and carry themselves with authenticity and confidence, says Mr Ang. He adds that as the K-pop industry is highly competitive, versatility has become key. It is no longer sufficient to specialise in one area, such as dance or vocals. Qti getting pointers and feedback from an industry expert. ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH 'SM Universe (Singapore) is committed to creating tangible pathways for our students, connecting high-potential talent with the right industry opportunities, and equipping them with the skills and attitude needed to thrive in the entertainment industry,' says Mr Ang. The academy is designing its flagship 21-week training programme, which is likely to commence in early 2026. It will culminate in a one-week enrichment trip to the SM Universe campus in Seoul, where top students have the opportunity to audition with South Korean entertainment agencies. Says Mr Ang: 'The journey towards becoming a K-pop idol requires commitment and perseverance, and a strong foundation must first be built.' Cherise says: 'I know I still have a long way to go, but my goal is to become the best version of myself.' Qti adds: 'Being consistent and hardworking is super important – you can't just rely on talent. Having an understanding of the K-pop industry is also helpful. 'If I can't become an idol, I will pursue a behind-the-scenes role in the K-pop world, like being a stylist for the idols.'
