From Bak Kut Teh to Box Office Success: The Journey of Songbill
This article explores the journey of Songbill, a high-grossing actor, from his family's struggles with bankruptcy to his passion for acting and eventual success in the Malaysian film industry. The narrative unfolds through anecdotes about his upbringing, his early career choices, and his current aspirations.
Early Life and Family Challenges
The Impact of Financial Hardship
Around 1997 or 1998, Songbill's family faced bankruptcy, which led his father to discourage him from pursuing acting. Despite this setback, Songbill's interest in the performing arts was unwavering. The family moved frequently due to financial constraints, experiencing eight to nine different homes.
A Father's Influence
Although these moves were challenging, Songbill recalls the experience positively, enjoying the chance to explore new environments. His father, an actor himself, later opened a bak kut teh restaurant for a year to provide for the family during a lull in his acting career. This taught Songbill the importance of flexibility. This resilience deeply impacted Songbill, who emphasized his gratitude for his father shielding the children from the difficulties.
Pursuing a Dream
Encountering an Idol
Seeing actor Nick Cheung in person ignited Songbill's determination to pursue acting. He realized he needed to follow his passion, and started exploring opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Early Career Choices
Songbill began his career as a screenwriter and even appeared in videos for Lady5ingers, a YouTube channel. He later joined Dissy as a screenwriter, also appearing in their videos due to the small team. After graduating with a degree in Mass Communication, Songbill briefly sold his car to rekindle his passion for performing.
Independent Filmmaking
He wrote and filmed two short films, but found the process of begging for help too tiring and stopped. He later worked in sales while platforms like Dissy and Manner were becoming popular.
Joining Dissy and Finding Success
The Path to Dissy
Kim Chenwu and Yuan Teng invited Songbill to join Dissy as a screenwriter, where he secured his position through an interview. He emphasizes that fate and chance played a significant role in his career trajectory.
The Movie's Success
Songbill expressed that he and the team operated largely on trust when filming for Dissy, where the screenwriters did not have much deciding power. The director was the decision maker and the wages were only known halfway through the film. When the film became a success, they received a bonus and are still looking forward to the exact amount they will receive.
Future Aspirations and Reflections
Desires for the Future
Songbill expressed a desire to act in more serious roles, moving away from purely comedic characters. He acknowledges the challenge of shifting his character, given audience expectations on social media.
Dealing with Criticism
He also recounted an instance where a news article about him mentioned his father, leading to a negative comment accusing him of "piggybacking" on his father's popularity.
Gratitude and Advice
Songbill expressed gratitude for his father's influence and support. He encourages aspiring actors to take the first step and get involved in film, highlighting the importance of networking and achievable goals. Songbill said one important thing to young people is to "Do it with courage first. After that, only will you know if you like it or not."
A Humorous Conclusion
The article concludes with a humorous attempt to revisit Songbill's old house, where he lived for a year, to find his old short films, but the current resident politely declines their request to enter. This lighthearted ending encapsulates the spirit of Songbill's journey – a blend of hard work, passion, and a touch of humor.
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