Meet Yang Yan: The rising Singaporean star putting his best foot forward

From a Star Awards nomination to competing on an international idol survival show, singer-actor Yang Yan is steadily making a name for himself. Now, he's stepping into the fashion spotlight with Onitsuka Tiger's new Tai-Chi OG.

In partnership with Onitsuka Tiger.

Actor-singer Yang Yan in Onitsuka Tiger. (Photo: Onitsuka Tiger)

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At just 25, Singaporean singer and actor Yang Yan has already notched up some impressive milestones in his burgeoning showbiz career.

There was his acting debut in Mediacorp Channel 8's thriller Stranger In The Dark in 2023, which earned him a Best Rising Star nomination at the 2024 Star Awards. Then came his stint as the sole Singaporean contestant on the South Korean-Chinese idol survival show Starlight Boys, where he competed alongside aspiring performers from across Asia.

And if acting, singing and dancing weren't enough, the multi-hyphenate recently added songwriter to his growing resume, releasing his debut English EP, Atomic Love, featuring four original tracks.

Clearly, the Ngee Ann Polytechnic alum isn't one to sit around waiting for opportunities to land in his lap.

(Photo: Onitsuka Tiger)

His latest venture? A fashionable one, naturally. The rising star is now part of the launch initiative for Onitsuka Tiger's new Tai-Chi OG, a refreshed take on one of the Japanese label's most recognisable sneakers.

Fashion and film buffs will remember the shoe's star-making moment on the silver screen, when Uma Thurman famously sported a yellow-and-black pair with her matching jumpsuit in Quentin Tarantino's 2003 cult classic Kill Bill: Volume 1.

First introduced in the early 2000s during Onitsuka Tiger's revival as a fashion brand, the Tai-Chi was inspired by traditional tai chi footwear. Its slim silhouette and minimalist aesthetic helped establish the brand's distinctive retro-cool identity.

Tai-Chi OG. (Photo: Onitsuka Tiger)

The new Tai-Chi OG stays true to that heritage, retaining its understated silhouette while introducing a premium leather upper accented by the signature Onitsuka Tiger Stripes.

For Yang, the brand's blend of fashion, music and popular culture strikes a personal chord.

“The brand has a strong identity that speaks to me – in terms of both its style and what it represents. They are very supportive of musicians and culture. There seems to be an affinity between the brand and me – the vibe, the style and the direction it is heading in are parallel to what I do and who I am,” he said during a Zoom interview.

FROM BEHIND THE CAMERA TO THE SPOTLIGHT

Here's something you probably wouldn't have guessed about Yang: Unlike many young artistes who get their big break through auditions or talent competitions, he quite literally knocked on showbiz's door.

Specifically, the door of NoonTalk Media, the entertainment company founded by veteran TV host and former radio DJ Dasmond Koh.

No audition tape, no elaborate career plan. Just a young man with an interest in entertainment and enough gumption to ask whether there was a job for him.

“I've always had a knack for creative work and entertainment, whether in front of the camera or behind it,” Yang revealed. “I did not go in set on a specific role. I was drawn to the vlogs and productions the company made, so I went in to see what opportunities there were – it didn't matter if they were in the front or back end to me.”

His basic editing skills landed him a job in production, where he spent the next two to three years learning the ropes behind the scenes.

“I cannot say for sure whether my boss saw star potential in me at the time, but he must have seen something, or he would not have offered me the chance to be an artiste eventually,” he recalled.

Yang sees nothing unglamorous about his unconventional route into showbiz. “I was surprised that not many people will think of walking in and asking for an opportunity the way I did. I guess passion and courage also count, and I am glad that I acted on my own initiative.”

That bold first step certainly paid off.

A REALITY CHECK ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

If knocking on NoonTalk Media's door was Yang's first leap of faith, joining Starlight Boys was arguably his boldest move.

The international idol survival competition was an eye-opening introduction to the fiercely competitive entertainment industry.

The experience, he admitted, was “intimidating, tiring and yet fulfilling”.

“Being on the show pushed me out to the bigger world – there were participants from Korea, China, Japan and so on, and the scene is so much more competitive in these countries,” he shared.

“I met many talented people from these countries, who have been training hard since they were very young – this gave me a very real sense of where I stand.”

Although Yang didn't secure a spot in the winning group, Yang returned home with renewed determination to sharpen his performing skills and explore songwriting.

That creative push eventually led to Atomic Love, his first English EP, comprising four songs he wrote and created with his production team.

Even more impressive? Yang has never had formal music training.

A self-taught guitarist and pianist, he has relied largely on curiosity, determination and a willingness to figure things out along the way.

“I'm not an advanced player by any means, but I do well enough to be able to perform and write songs. I'd always believed there's nothing one can't learn – you just have to put your heart into it,” he said.

And there's no slowing down. Between filming a new Channel 8 drama and working on productions for other media companies, Yang is also preparing to release his first self-written Chinese single towards the end of the year.

HIS FASHION PHILOSOPHY: KEEP IT SIMPLE, BUT NEVER SLOPPY

Despite his involvement in Onitsuka Tiger's latest launch, Yang doesn't consider himself much of a fashion enthusiast.

That doesn't mean he underestimates the power of a good outfit.

“It's part of the job as an artiste,” Yang said.

“I've learnt how style is one of the qualities that can define who an artiste is and what he or she stands for. It tells a story about you to people and, like it or not, will shape the way they perceive you.”

On set and at work events, Yang is happy to let stylists push him out of his sartorial comfort zone with bolder looks. Off duty, however, he gravitates towards easy athleisure pieces and sneakers.

But don't mistake his preference for casual dressing as an excuse to look unkempt. In fact, Yang has one rather firm wardrobe rule: no slippers, even for a quick trip around the neighbourhood.

“I like to look presentable no matter what the occasion is. For example, I'd always wear proper shoes even if I'm just going nearby – no slippers or sandals for me,” he shared.

It's a small detail, but one that says plenty about his approach to dressing. Looking put-together, it seems, is less about making a grand fashion statement than taking pride in how you present yourself.

And when it comes to footwear, Onitsuka Tiger's retro-inspired designs are right up his alley.

HOW THE TAI-CHI OG WON HIM OVER

Ask Yang about his favourite Onitsuka Tiger designs and two models immediately come to mind: the Tai-Chi OG and the Tigrun.

For someone who has spent years gravitating towards chunky sneakers, the Tai-Chi OG's slim proportions offer a welcome change of pace.

“I've been wearing chunky sneakers for a while, and then came the new Tai Chi OG, which is a lot slimmer, and attractive in such a different way. I like how light on the feet it feels, as well as the retro design and colourways that are so iconic of the brand,” he shared.

With fashion's ongoing love affair with low-profile sneakers, the Tai-Chi OG feels especially relevant today. Its pared-back design makes it easy to work into an everyday wardrobe, whether paired with relaxed denim, tailored trousers or the athleisure pieces that Yang favours.

Beyond its retro appeal, what makes the shoe compelling is its confident simplicity. It doesn't rely on oversized proportions or flashy embellishments to make an impression.

In a way, that understated confidence isn't too far removed from Yang's own approach to style. He's open to experimenting with fashion as his career evolves but isn't interested in dressing up as someone he's not.

With an acting career gathering momentum, new music in the pipeline and his involvement with Onitsuka Tiger, Yang has plenty to look forward to.

Yet, for all the promising developments, he remains refreshingly grounded about the uncertainties of showbiz.

“I don't know if I will eventually make it in this industry, but what I know is that I have to put in my all. I believe that people who sit and wait will not achieve anything. No doubt, it's sometimes also down to luck – if things work out, that's great, but if they don't, I'll have zero regrets looking back at this journey,” he said.

It's a philosophy that has served him well so far.

After all, this is someone who walked into an entertainment company without knowing whether he'd end up behind the camera or in front of it and somehow found himself doing both.

As he continues to explore where his talents might take him next, one thing seems certain: Yang isn't waiting for his big moment. He's going out and creating it.

And with the new Onitsuka Tiger Tai-Chi OG on his feet, he's doing it in style.

A single handpicked story that we think you shouldn't miss. Just one a day.

从星光大奖提名到参加国际偶像选秀节目，歌手兼演员杨嫣正稳步提升自己的知名度。如今，他携手Onitsuka Tiger推出的新款Tai-Chi OG，进军时尚界。

与鬼冢虎合作。

Onitsuka Tiger 中的男演员兼歌手杨岩。 （照片：鬼冢虎）

这段音频是由人工智能工具生成的。

年仅 25 岁的新加坡歌手兼演员杨彦，在其蓬勃发展的演艺事业中已经取得了一些令人瞩目的成就。

2023年，他在新传媒8频道播出的惊悚片《黑暗中的陌生人》中首次亮相荧屏，并凭借该片获得2024年红星大奖最佳新星提名。之后，他作为唯一的新加坡选手参加了韩中合办的偶像选秀节目《星光少年》，与来自亚洲各地的怀揣梦想的艺人同台竞技。

如果说演戏、唱歌和跳舞还不够，这位多才多艺的艺人最近又在他的履历中增添了词曲创作这一头衔，发行了他的首张英文EP《Atomic Love》，其中收录了四首原创歌曲。

显然，这位义安理工学院的校友不是那种坐等机会从天而降的人。

（图片：鬼冢虎）

他的最新动向？当然是时尚界的。这位冉冉升起的新星参与了Onitsuka Tiger新款Tai-Chi OG的推广活动，这款鞋是对该日本品牌最具代表性的运动鞋之一的全新演绎。

时尚和电影爱好者都会记得这双鞋在银幕上的成名时刻，当时乌玛·瑟曼在昆汀·塔伦蒂诺 2003 年的邪典经典电影《杀死比尔：第一部》中穿着一双黄黑相间的鞋子搭配同色连体裤，这双鞋就此名声大噪。

太极鞋最初于2000年代初鬼冢虎复兴为时尚品牌期间推出，其设计灵感源自传统太极鞋。纤细的鞋型和极简主义美学帮助该品牌确立了其独特的复古酷炫风格。

太极OG。 （照片：鬼冢虎）

新款 Tai-Chi OG 秉承了这一传统，保留了其低调的轮廓，同时引入了优质皮革鞋面，并饰以标志性的 Onitsuka 虎纹。

对杨来说，该品牌将时尚、音乐和流行文化融合在一起，引起了他的个人共鸣。

“这个品牌拥有鲜明的个性，深深吸引着我——无论是它的风格还是它所代表的意义。他们非常支持音乐人和文化。这个品牌和我之间似乎有一种天然的契合感——它的氛围、风格和发展方向都与我的事业和我的为人不谋而合，”他在一次Zoom采访中说道。

从幕后到聚光灯下

关于杨，你可能想不到的是：与许多通过试镜或才艺比赛获得突破的年轻艺人不同，他完全是敲开了演艺圈的大门。

具体来说，是 NoonTalk Media 的大门，这家娱乐公司由资深电视主持人兼前电台 DJ Dasmond Koh 创立。

没有试镜录像，也没有精心设计的职业规划。他只是一个对娱乐行业感兴趣，并且有足够的勇气去询问是否有工作机会的年轻人。

杨透露：“我一直对创意工作和娱乐行业很感兴趣，无论是在镜头前还是幕后。我去剧组并不是抱着特定的角色去的。我被这家公司制作的vlog和节目所吸引，所以就去看看有什么机会——对我来说，是台前还是幕后都无所谓。”

他凭借基本的剪辑技能，在制作行业找到了一份工作，并在接下来的两三年里学习了幕后工作的各项技能。

“我不能肯定我的老板当时是否看到了我的明星潜质，但他肯定看到了我的某些特质，否则他最终不会给我成为艺人的机会，”他回忆道。

杨并不认为自己进入演艺圈的非传统途径有什么不光彩的地方。“我很惊讶，很少有人会像我一样直接上前争取机会。我想热情和勇气也很重要，我很庆幸自己当初是主动出击的。”

这大胆的第一步果然取得了成功。

国际舞台上的现实检验

如果说敲开 NoonTalk Media 的大门是杨的第一次冒险，那么加入星光少年组合可以说是他最大胆的举动。

这场国际偶像生存竞赛让我大开眼界，让我真正见识到了竞争异常激烈的娱乐行业。

他承认，这段经历“令人畏惧、疲惫，但又很有成就感”。

“参加这个节目让我接触到了更广阔的世界——有来自韩国、中国、日本等地的参赛者，这些国家的竞争要激烈得多，”他分享道。

“我遇到了许多来自这些国家的优秀人才，他们从小就接受严格的训练——这让我对自己的水平有了非常清晰的认识。”

虽然杨没有在获胜组合中获得一席之地，但他带着重振旗鼓的决心回到家乡，努力提升自己的表演技巧，并探索歌曲创作。

这种创作动力最终促成了他的首张英文 EP《Atomic Love》的诞生，其中收录了四首他与制作团队共同创作的歌曲。

更令人印象深刻的是，杨从未接受过正规的音乐训练。

作为一名自学成才的吉他手和钢琴家，他主要依靠好奇心、决心和边做边学的精神。

“我绝对算不上什么高手，但我弹得还不错，足以表演和创作歌曲。我一直相信没有什么学不会的——只要你全心投入，”他说。

而且他丝毫没有放慢脚步的迹象。除了拍摄8频道的新剧和为其他媒体公司制作节目外，杨还准备在年底发行他的首支原创中文单曲。

他的时尚理念：简约而不邋遢

尽管杨参与了鬼冢虎的最新产品发布，但他并不认为自己是个时尚爱好者。

但这并不意味着他低估了得体的着装所起的作用。

“这是艺术家工作的一部分，”杨说。

“我了解到，风格是定义一位艺术家身份和理念的重要特质之一。它向人们讲述着你的故事，不管你喜不喜欢，它都会影响人们对你的看法。”

在片场和工作场合，杨乐于让造型师尝试更大胆的造型，突破他以往的穿衣舒适圈。但私下里，他则更偏爱轻松休闲的运动装和运动鞋。

但别误会他偏爱休闲装扮，就以为他可以不修边幅。事实上，杨有一条相当严格的穿衣原则：绝不穿拖鞋，哪怕只是在附近出门走走也不行。

“无论什么场合，我都喜欢穿着得体。例如，即使只是去附近走走，我也会穿合适的鞋子——我绝不会穿拖鞋或凉鞋，”他分享道。

这虽是个小细节，却充分体现了他的穿衣风格。对他而言，衣着得体似乎并非为了追求惊艳的时尚造型，而是为了展现自我，注重个人形象。

而说到鞋履，Onitsuka Tiger 的复古风格设计正合他的口味。

太极拳大师是如何征服他的

问杨他最喜欢的鬼冢虎设计，他立刻想到了两款机型：太极OG和Tigrun。

对于多年来一直偏爱厚底运动鞋的人来说，太极鞋 OG 的纤细比例带来了一种令人欣喜的节奏变化。

“我穿厚底运动鞋已经有一段时间了，然后新款的太极OG出现了，它更纤细，也更具吸引力。我喜欢它轻盈的穿着感受，以及品牌标志性的复古设计和配色，”他分享道。

随着时尚界对低帮运动鞋的持续追捧，Tai-Chi OG 在今天显得尤为流行。其简约的设计使其能够轻松融入日常穿搭，无论是搭配休闲牛仔裤、修身长裤，还是杨钟爱的运动休闲装，都能完美驾驭。

除了复古的魅力之外，这款鞋最吸引人的地方在于它自信的简约设计。它无需夸张的尺寸或华丽的装饰就能给人留下深刻印象。

从某种程度上说，这种低调的自信与杨自身的穿衣风格颇为相似。随着事业的发展，他乐于尝试不同的时尚风格，但并不想把自己打扮成另一个人。

杨的演艺事业蒸蒸日上，新音乐作品也即将面世，再加上他与鬼冢虎的合作，未来可期。

然而，尽管发展前景光明，但他对演艺圈的不确定性仍然保持着令人耳目一新的务实态度。

“我不知道自己最终能否在这个行业取得成功，但我知道我必须全力以赴。我相信只会坐等的人不会有任何成就。当然，有时候运气也很重要——如果一切顺利，那当然很好；但如果不顺利，我回顾这段旅程时也不会有任何遗憾。”他说道。

这种理念迄今为止对他来说非常有效。

毕竟，这个人当初走进一家娱乐公司时，并不知道自己最终会成为幕后工作者还是台前工作者，结果却发现自己两者都做了。

随着他不断探索自己的才能将带他走向何方，有一点似乎可以肯定：杨并没有等待属于他的辉煌时刻，而是主动去创造它。

他脚踩新款 Onitsuka Tiger Tai-Ch OG，气场十足。

每天一篇，我们精心挑选一篇您不容错过的精彩故事。