The singer-producer ran 5 F&B ventures that at the moment are shuttered
Native musician Hong Junyang has not too long ago fallen sufferer to Singapore’s harsh meals and beverage (F&B) trade.
Grappling with rising money owed from his now-shuttered Thai avenue meals restaurant chain, The Unique Boat Noodle, the singer-producer has declared chapter.
In an interview with AsiaOne, Hong shared that The Unique Boat Noodle had been dealing with obstacles because the pandemic just a few years again. “Ever since COVID-19 began, it has been very, very robust for us, up until our closure… I attempted my greatest,” mentioned the 44-year-old.
Whereas he didn’t disclose the quantity of his money owed, he admitted that this was his first foray into the F&B trade and that he lacked the mandatory expertise for it.

Hong, who rose to fame in 2005 after rising as a male runner-up in native expertise search competitors programme Mission Famous person and not too long ago carried out as a visitor on JJ Lin’s JJ20 World Tour, opened The Unique Boat Noodle’s first outlet at Changi Metropolis Level in 2018.
He expanded it to 5 extra areas all through the years, together with Suntec Metropolis and Bugis Junction.
Along with The Unique Boat Noodle, Hong had additionally operated a number of F&B ideas, together with the Korean meals stall Oppa Kitchen, Indian meals restaurant Bananabro and cafe Caf—all of which have since closed down too.
What does it imply to be bankrupt in Singapore?
In Singapore, chapter is a authorized course of involving a person or agency that’s unable to repay any excellent debt of not less than S$15,000. An individual could file for chapter voluntarily, or a creditor could file a chapter utility towards them.
As soon as declared bankrupt, the debtor’s identify is entered into Singapore’s chapter register, which is publicly accessible.
Chapter imposes a number of monetary restrictions.
The debtor should hand over their property to a trustee, who will promote them and channel the proceeds right into a chapter property for distribution to collectors. The debtor may be required to make month-to-month contributions from their earnings. Nevertheless, sure property are protected and excluded from the chapter property. These embrace the debtor’s HDB flat, CPF financial savings, and objects obligatory for private employment use, similar to work-related automobiles.
Bankrupt people should additionally search permission from the trustee earlier than travelling abroad.
In line with PKWA Legislation, being declared bankrupt is just not essentially a foul final result—particularly for many who are overwhelmed by debt and have exhausted all compensation choices. Chapter can halt the buildup of curiosity, supply a structured and extra manageable compensation plan, and defend the debtor from authorized motion by collectors.
In Singapore, chapter usually lasts three years. It could possibly finish earlier by way of an annulment, if all money owed and bills are repaid in full or a settlement is reached with collectors, or by way of a discharge, which frees the debtor from remaining unpaid money owed after the three-year interval.
What’s subsequent for the singer-producer?
Reflecting on the chapter, Hong mentioned: “This has been a troublesome and painful expertise. However I really feel that it’s proper that I face it responsibly and I’ll proceed to decide on to face it responsibly.”
“I additionally take this second to replicate, transfer ahead, reset, relearn and most significantly to rebuild every part to be stronger sooner or later. I don’t see this as the tip.”
The singer-producer additionally instructed AsiaOne that he’s grateful to have the assist of his family members.
“I’ve household and shut buddies who stood by me and provided assist to me. They’re all the time there for me,” he mentioned. Hong highlighted that their assist has made him cherish them much more, giving him “higher knowledge and discernment” about who his true buddies are.
Concerning his present plans, Hong emphasised that his precedence is to maintain working to earn a dwelling and create music he’s obsessed with, which he mentioned will probably be one thing that by no means modifications.
Featured Picture Credit score: Hong Junyang by way of Fb/ Shaun Chng
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