Singapore’s F&B Struggles Take a Personal Toll on a Popular Singer
The entertainment scene in Singapore has a new storyline that intertwines fame with financial strain. Hong Junyang, a beloved home-grown musician who rose to prominence after a strong showing on Project SuperStar in 2005, has been listed in the Government Gazette as a bankrupt individual as of September 26. The news underscores the harsh realities that many entrepreneurs faced in the country’s food and beverage (F&B) sector during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hong’s bankruptcy case centers on debts linked to his Thai street food restaurant chain, The Original Boat Noodle. He explained to AsiaOne on October 13 that the challenges began with the pandemic and persisted long after. “Ever since Covid-19 started, it has been very, very tough for us, up till our closure… I tried my best,” he said. The closure of the chain is a turning point in a career that had recently seen diversification into other consumer-facing ventures.
The Original Boat Noodle: A Growth-Attempt Amid Pandemic Pressures
Hong launched The Original Boat Noodle in 2018, opening a 60-seater outlet at Changi City Point. The concept quickly grew to multiple locations across Singapore, including VivoCity, Suntec City, Bugis Junction, The Seletar Mall, and Northpoint City. While the expansion testifies to his entrepreneurial ambition, the broader impact of the pandemic on dining establishments proved severe. The chain’s difficulties before its closure highlight how even established operators faced eroding demand, supply chain challenges, and labor constraints that lingered long after lockdowns ended.
Beyond Food: Diversification and the Pandemic’s Aftermath
Hong’s entrepreneurial footprint extended beyond the boat noodles concept. In 2020, he brought the Taiwanese bubble tea brand Machi Machi to Singapore, a move that signaled his willingness to align with popular beverage trends. Reports indicate Machi Machi’s presence in Singapore fizzled out by early 2025, illustrating the fickle consumer landscape where brand lifecycles can be short and market competition intense.
Other ventures also marked the pandemic era. Caf, a cafe-cum-cloud kitchen, and BananaBro, an Indian banana leaf rice restaurant, were launched during the Covid period but shut down in 2022 as market conditions remained volatile. Oppa Kitchen, a hawker stall at Tam Chiak Kopitiam in Hougang that opened in 2023, closed after a year, underscoring the ongoing pressures on operators who sought to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and cost pressures.
Personal Reflections: Family, Support, and Forward Momentum
In describing his social and personal circle, Hong acknowledged the importance of family and friends who stood by him. He is married to local actress Candyce Toh, and the couple has two daughters aged nine and three. He credited his loved ones with providing emotional and practical support, saying their solidarity helped him gain perspective about true friendships. “This has been a difficult and painful experience. But I feel that it’s right that I face it responsibly, and I will continue to choose to face it responsibly,” he stated.
Hong also stressed the constructive aspects of this hardship. He spoke of “reflect[ing], move forward, reset, relearn and, most importantly, to rebuild everything to be stronger in the future.” He framed the bankruptcy not as an end but as a turning point, signaling a commitment to resilience and responsible action as he navigates a challenging financial period.
From Stage to Stewardship: The Road Ahead
Hong’s recent work as a guest performer on JJ Lin’s JJ20 World Tour—spanning cities like Los Angeles, Toronto, London, and Paris before concluding in Beijing—demonstrates his ongoing artistic reach. While his touring activities show he remains connected to the music world, the bankruptcy proceedings cast a spotlight on the dual pressures many celebrities face when they pursue business expansion during volatile times.
As Singapore’s economy continues to recalibrate in the post-pandemic era, the public’s attention on public figures who navigate both creative and entrepreneurial paths can serve as a reminder: resilience often involves recalibration, support networks, and a willingness to rebuild with greater discernment.
