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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Save money, bigger home: Actor Shaun Chen on why he moved to JB with his family
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). Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Shaun Chen: More savings, bigger house behind move to JB from Singapore
KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore-based Malaysian actor Shaun Chen moved back to Malaysia with his family last year. AsiaOne reported yesterday that Shaun, his wife Celine, also Malaysian, and their daughters Nellie, nine, and Neia, seven, have been living in a rented home in Johor Baru's Eco Botanic City since Aug 1. In a recent interview with actor-host Allan Wu on his podcast Call Us Daddy, the 46-year-old actor shared insights into his current lifestyle and the reasons behind the move. As a Malaysian citizen, Shaun explained that returning to the country was a "natural and logical choice", particularly as they have extended family there. He added that the cost of education and general expenditure in Singapore were also significant factors. "So one day I thought, since we already had the plan to make the move, why not make it earlier?" he recounted. His wife, Celine, was supportive and suggested they live in JB so that he could commute to Singapore for work. Shaun cited various pull factors for the move, reiterating that their Malaysian citizenship was the primary reason. "Because we're Malaysians, we have an advantage; we can reduce our living costs and stay in a bigger house," said Shaun, whose hometown is in Negri Sembilan. He added that both he and his wife had lived in larger houses during their upbringing compared to their accommodation in Singapore. "If we stayed in Singapore, I don't know if I'll have a chance to stay in landed property. I don't think so, because I'm not a Singaporean." When asked for a rough estimate of their potential savings, Shaun shared that it would be between "30 per cent and 50 per cent". Despite being comfortable living in Malaysia, he noted during the interview that he does not rule out the possibility of residing in Singapore in the future, for instance, if his children were to study there. "I don't think it's a downgrade; I've upgraded my lifestyle," he quipped, while carefully emphasising: "Doesn't mean living in Singapore is not good." He continued, "I love the Singapore lifestyle, it's just different. Malaysia has a bigger space, and it's my country – that's the main thing." He also estimated that the annual cost of public school fees and after-school care in Singapore for a permanent resident is almost equivalent to an international school education in Malaysia, which costs approximately RM32,000 annually. Following the move, friends began contacting him to inquire about his lifestyle, "as if he were the ambassador for JB". Regarding his commute for shoots in Singapore, Shaun shared that it is typically a 45-minute drive from home, extending to 1.5 hours if there is a traffic jam. While he is accustomed to being recognised by fans both in Singapore and across the Causeway, he acknowledged that Malaysians tend to be more enthusiastic. However, he has a note for fans who spot him in public: he is happy to pose for photographs as long as they ask. "If you ask, I'll definitely say yes; just don't take photos in secret," he said.
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
50% savings, bigger house: Shaun Chen shares more on why he moved family to JB, Entertainment News
PUBLISHED ON June 10, 2025 9:50 AM By Candice Cai Shaun Chen made headlines last year when he revealed he'd packed his bags and moved back to Malaysia with his family. His wife Celine, who's also Malaysian, and their daughters Nellie, nine, and Neia, seven, have reportedly been living in a rented home in Johor Bahru's (JB) Eco Botanic City since Aug 1. In a recent interview with actor-host Allan Wu on the latter's podcast Call Us Daddy, the 46-year-old actor shared more about his lifestyle now and reasons for the move. As a Malaysian citizen, Shaun shared that it was a "natural and logical choice" to return to the country eventually, coupled with the fact that they also have extended family there. He added that the cost of education and expenditure in Singapore was also a factor. "So one day I thought, since we already had the plan to make the move, why not make it earlier," he added. His wife was positive about it, said Shaun, and was the one who suggested that they live in JB so that he can commute to Singapore for work. Not a 'downgrade' Citing the various pull factors for moving, he stated that the main reason was their Malaysian citizenship. "Because we're Malaysians, we have an advantage; we can reduce our living costs as well and stay in a bigger house," said Shaun, whose hometown is in Negeri Sembilan. He added that both he and his wife had lived in bigger houses, compared to in Singapore, when they were growing up. "If we stayed in Singapore, I don't know if I'll have a chance to stay in landed [property]. I don't think so, because I'm not a Singaporean." When asked for a rough figure on how much they are able to save, Shaun shared that it would be between "30 per cent and 50 per cent". [embed] Despite being comfortable living in Malaysia, he noted during the interview that he does not rule out the possibility of staying in Singapore in the future — for instance, if his kids were to study here. Reflecting on comments from netizens about his move, he shared that while most were encouraging, some wondered if he was facing any difficulties or if it was a "downgrade". "I don't think it's a downgrade, I've upgraded my lifestyle," he quipped, while making sure to emphasise: "Doesn't mean living here (in Singapore) is not good". "I love the Singapore lifestyle, it's just different," he said. "Malaysia has a bigger space, and it's my country, that's the main thing," he added, giving the decision a solid rating of "eight upon 10". Later on in the interview, he also estimated that the cost of a year's public school fees and after-school care in Singapore for a permanent resident to be almost equivalent to an international school education in Malaysia, which is about RM32,000 (S$9,700) annually. Becoming 'an ambassador for JB' Interestingly, he noted that following the move, friends and acquaintances he hadn't met for some time began contacting him to ask about his lifestyle now, "as if I'm the ambassador [for JB]", he joked. "I thought, 'Oh no, do I have to make a list of what we have here in Iskandar Puteri'," he said, revealing earlier that the district near the Second Link is "more spacious and less congested". On his commute for shoots in Singapore, Shaun shared that it is typically a 45-minute drive from home and 1.5 hours if there's a jam, but it can take up to two to three hours if it's "a really bad jam", which he said doesn't happen often. Elaborating more on the family's lifestyle in Malaysia, Shaun added that they live in a landed home within a gated community where there's more space for his two daughters. It's "very safe", so the children are able to play with their friends freely within the compound, said Shaun. He added that the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur is also easily accessible via a flight from Senai Airport or by car. "Wow, I'm really becoming the ambassador of JB," he joked. While he's accustomed to being recognised by fans both in Singapore and across the Causeway, he acknowledged that Malaysians are more enthusiastic. But a note to fans who happen to spot him in public, he's happy to pose for photographs as long as they ask. "If you ask, I'll definitely say yes, just don't take photos in secret," he stated good-naturedly. [[nid:674060]] candicecai@ This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.
