They can't take off their sunglasses in public

By Charlene Chua

He wants to defer NS to become a K-pop star, but...

By Charlene Chua

BY APRIL next year, he could well be touring Asia as part of Korea's newest boy band.

But Singaporean Alfred Sng (right) has one obstacle to overcome before he can take the leap to stardom and sign on the dotted line on a similar five-year contract as his female counterparts Ferlyn Wong, Elaine Yuki Wong and Natasha Low.

His request for deferment from national service for five years was rejected a few weeks ago.

The third-year Nanyang Polytechnic student, who is studying for a diploma in digital animation, is due to enlist at the end of next year.

Appeal

Alfred said he's willing to quit school immediately to pursue his dreams.

Alpha Entertainment, which chose Alfred during last year's auditions, has urged him to ask for a two-year deferment as it is still willing to sign him on for that period of time.

Alfred will join four Korean guys in Korea to form a five-member boy band.

Alpha will also help appeal on Alfred's behalf by speaking to the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and taking him to meet his Member of Parliament.

Full-contract artistes are usually asked to sign on for five years with the company.

Alfred, 20, told The New Paper: "I wrote in through e-mail to my MP at Sembawang, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, and also to Mindef (the Ministry Of Defence) for my deferment request, but the reason that it was rejected was because Singapore doesn't support pre-NS enlistees to accept overseas job offers.

"I was disappointed as not everyone gets such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I've always wanted to be a performer.

"It's sad that I was rejected even though I was asking for only five years. By then, I will be only 25 and will still be able to serve in the army."

He said his mum had joked about asking him to give up his Singapore citizenship to become a Korean in order to realise his dream.

Alfred said he will be requesting deferment from national service again next week and he is keeping his fingers crossed that it will be approved.

He will be flying with the girls to Korea at the end of this month to get his own sneak peek at what it's like to be a K-pop star.

Said Alfred: "I don't see the point of me becoming a Korean because if I don't succeed there, I won't be able to return to Singapore.

"I actually prefer going into the K-pop industry as a Singaporean and coming back and making everyone proud."

This article was first published in The New Paper.