Save money, bigger home: Actor Shaun Chen on why he moved to JB with his family

Straits Times

11-06-2025

Actor Shaun Chen with his wife Celine Chen and their two daughters. The family moved to Johor Bahru in August 2024. PHOTO: SHAUNCHENHONGYU/INSTAGRAM
Save money, bigger home: Actor Shaun Chen on why he moved to JB with his family
SINGAPORE – Malaysian actor Shaun Chen, who was previously living in Singapore for over a decade, did not beat around the bush on why he and his family permanently moved to Johor Bahru (JB) in August 2024.
He is residing in the Eco Botanic township with his Malaysian wife Celine Chen, who is in her mid-30s, and their two daughters. Aged nine and seven, the children are enrolled in an international school.
In the June 6 episode of Call Us Daddy, Singapore-based Chinese-American actor-host Allan Wu's podcast, the 46-year-old star opened up about the rationale behind the relocation.
Chen, who is a Singapore permanent resident, said: 'I think the main reason is because we are both Malaysians. Secondly, we can save on costs – about 30 to 50 per cent. Thirdly, in JB, we can afford to live in a bigger and more comfortable home.'
He added: 'My work has not changed. I am still a Mediacorp artiste. I'm still filming. And I can just travel (to Singapore) whenever I have work. Like today, I drove in to Singapore for work. Whenever it's needed, I make the commute to and fro.'
He is also grateful that the 'the traffic situation now is much better than before'.
'When we film until the wee hours and are so tired, the thought of seeing our children and our family makes it not tiring any more. I try to think of it that way. The travelling time of 45 minutes to an hour is okay with me, not too bad.'
He added: 'The good thing about JB is that it forces Singaporeans to be more alert. When you go to Malaysia and learn how to be more aware of your surroundings, no matter where you travel to, you will naturally be more alert. This also helps your children to be more alert as well.'
Chen also explained that moving across the Causeway was a 'natural and logical' choice, given how the couple have extended family in Malaysia and none in Singapore
After making his acting debut in 2003 in television series like True Heroes (2003) and Holland V (2003), his breakthrough came in 2015, when he snagged Best Actor for his role in The Journey: Tumultuous Times (2014) at the annual Star Awards.
Chen recently starred in the Mediacorp blockbuster drama Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story (2025) as Zhang Jinhai, the oldest son of the Zhang household and husband to Li Shuyu (played by Jojo Goh).
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