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Introducing Lingling, Malaysia’s first female K-pop idol

Lydia Koh
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Introducing Lingling, Malaysia’s first female K-pop idol

MALAYSIA: A Malaysian K-pop trainee, Lingling (who also goes by 링링), has been making waves! It was reported that she showed up on this idol competition show called “I-LAND 2 (아이랜드 2),” and people have been taking notice, according to Hype Malaysia. Despite not debuting in izna (이즈나), she will make her long-awaited debut in another group later this year. 

Photo: Instagram/Alicia Wong Ling Ling

According to the Malay Mail, Alicia Wong Lingling—or Lingling, as everyone knows her— isn’t just a trainee getting attention. Lingling is the first Malaysian to officially debut in a K-pop girl group.

Capturing attention

Lingling, 19, is from Klang, Selangor. She did well on the Mnet survival show, “I-LAND 2 (아이랜드 2),” and everyone was impressed by how she could speak so many languages, how confident she was on stage, and just how likable she is. It sounds like she captured everyone’s attention!

She just launched her very own Instagram account, confirming she’s made that exciting jump from being a trainee to a real, official K-pop idol. Her account had new profile images, which sparked rumours that she would soon make her debut.

Exciting news

On Apr 18, 2025, South Korean entertainment company Lean Branding made a big announcement: Lingling is officially joining their first-ever international girl group, with a debut slated for late May. The agency is keeping things a little mysterious for now, promising more juicy details about the group and its members in the coming days.

It turns out that even though Lingling was super talented on “I-LAND 2 (아이랜드 2)“—her singing and dancing were apparently amazing!—she got eliminated from the show, finishing 16th overall. That meant she didn’t get to debut with that WakeOne group called izna. However, the good news is that she made a big impression on a lot of people! She built up a loyal fanbase, and it sounds as if everyone’s been eagerly waiting for her to finally debut. Well, it looks like their patience has paid off!

Time to shine

It appears that her fans are thrilled about this news. They’ve been waiting for her to get her chance, and now that she’s finally debuting in this new girl group, they feel it’s her time to shine and show everyone what she’s got. You can imagine the excitement and anticipation they must be feeling.

There were concerns about her agency, but they said they would support the Malaysian’s upcoming debut. In her Instagram post, Lingling also expressed her excitement for her official debut. She wrote in five languages that she longed for the stage and that she began again.

On another note, the first male Malaysian K-pop idol was Isaac Voo (also known as 아이젝), who debuted way back in 2017 with a boy group called Skye (they used to be known as IN2IT or 인투잇).

Making waves

It looks like Malaysia is becoming a bit of a K-pop hotspot! There’s another Malaysian trainee, Pan Ee Xiang (팡이썅), who’s also set to debut in a K-pop boy group called SEVENTOEIGHT later this year. He earned his spot in 6th place on a Korean-Taiwanese idol survival show called “SCOOL.” Seeing so many talented Malaysians making their mark in the K-pop world is exciting.

As reported by Korea JoongAng Daily, after placing second in I-LAND 2 (아이랜드 2)‘s preliminary voting, she has secured a spot in  Lean Branding’s first global girl group, scheduled to debut in late May.

So far, the group’s name and official debut date are still a secret, but anticipation is already building, since the agency has confirmed Lingling’s inclusion. Lingling is known for being a polyglot and is fluent in Chinese, Malay, English, and Korean. Because she’s so good at multiple languages, fans even gave her cool nicknames like #PolyglotGenius and #WakeOneInterpreter on her profile.

Lingling’s final debut isn’t just a big moment for her; it’s also a significant step forward for Malaysia in the whole K-pop scene. It shows that Malaysian talent can break through in this incredibly competitive industry, and it opens doors for even more aspiring Malaysian idols in the future.

Pritam Singh: PAP’s One-dimensional perspective

Anna Maria Romero
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Pritam Singh: PAP’s One-dimensional perspective

SINGAPORE: In a social media post on Sunday (Apr 20), Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh took issue with remarks made by People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate Lam Pin Min that were published in a CNA article that day.

Dr Lam, who will lead the ruling party’s slate in Sengkang, said, “If we talk about Sengkang GRC (group representation constituency), we are not an incumbent. We do not have the resources of the town council, and we find that as a challenger; you’re always facing more challenges compared to somebody who is an incumbent in the GRC.”

He noted that Dr Lam had been a senior minister of state before losing in the General Election in 2020 and posted a photo of him, together with the other PAP candidates, presiding over a citizenship ceremony in Sengkang on Apr 13.

FB screengrab/Pritam Singh

Mr Singh wrote that he was “a little surprised to read this one-dimensional perspective of the ‘resources’ available to losing PAP candidates,” given that they are commonly appointed as Grassroots Advisers by the People’s Association (PA) or that they work closely with the appointed Grassroots Adviser as PAP branch chairmen.

His fellow Workers’ Party Members of Parliament (MPs), including Jamus Lim and He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC), have also spoken up in the past few years regarding this issue.

Mr Singh, Singapore’s first officially designated Leader of the Opposition, pointed out in an article for the WP newsletter last year that PAP candidates “have significant reach wherever they stand.”

In 2021, after Dr Lam posted photos of himself giving out bursaries at Sengkang West GRC, a resident asked why Assoc Prof Lim had not been present at her daughter’s Edusave Award ceremony. The WP MP explained to her that it had not been out of “lack of interest or desire” but because MPs from opposition wards are not the Grassroots Advisers for their constituencies, and therefore, do not give out the awards.

In the following year, Ms He addressed the issue as well, writing, “Elected MPs who do not belong to the ruling party are not asked to give out the awards to our residents—we are not Grassroots Advisors for our constituencies.”

Mr Singh pointed out in his article that having a WP candidate as an MP means that voters in Sengkang have three representatives to look after their interests, “First, an apparently apolitical Grassroots Adviser managing the PA grassroots organisations such as the CCC (Citizens’ Consultative Committee), CCMC (Community Club Management Committee), RCs (Residents’ Committees), and NCs (Neighbourhood Committees); second, a PAP Branch Chairman who leans on the PA for political ends with the PA’s blessings, and finally, a WP MP in Parliament who ensures we have independent checks and balances in Parliament and a fairer political system in Singapore.”

His post appears to have resonated with netizens, as it has been much commented on and shared.

“The fact remains…PAP and PA are one in practice… unelected PAP candidates become ‘advisors’ and given full access to CCs..while actual elected non-PAP MPs have to ‘make do’ elsewhere…events like the example shown have the unelected as VIPs instead of the elected…. isn’t this a joke?…keep voting for WP in Sengkang,” opined a Facebook user.

“I feel so strongly about this. I see the PA grassroots advisor and the fact that PAP MPs from other constituents or Grassroots Advisors standing in as GOH at opposition wards’ CC events, a complete disrespect to the Opposition MP who won there and a total disregard to the residents who, as a majority, voted the Opposition in,” commented another.

One wrote, “Agree with you. Lived in Low Thia Khiang/Gerald Giam’s ward previously and always found it odd that the PAP grassroots advisors were being invited as guests of honor for government events in the area and giving out Edusave awards. It felt disrespectful, considering the residents had given a clear mandate to WP there.” /TISG

Read also: Faisal Manap: In opposition wards, it’s the losing candidate appointed as grassroots advisor despite having been rejected by voters

Humans vs Humanoids: Robots compete with humans at Yizhuang half-marathon in China

Aiah Bathan
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Humans vs Humanoids: Robots compete with humans at Yizhuang half-marathon in China

The Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing was a blend of technology and athletics as 21 humanoid robots joined thousands of human runners on the 21km course.

These robots, created by Chinese companies like DroidVP and Noetix Robotics, have sizes from just under 1.2m to 1.8m tall. One of the companies presented a robot that looked like a human, complete with feminine features, and had the ability to wink and smile. There were also robots dressed for the race, with a few wearing running shoes to further enhance their performance. 

Moreover, one robot stood out with boxing gloves, and another sported a red headband emblazoned with the words “Bound to Win” in Chinese. 

Some of the robots underwent weeks of testing to prepare for the race. These robots were not only accompanied by human trainers but also required physical support from them during the event. Spectator He Sishu, who works in artificial intelligence, shared, “The robots are running very well, very stable … I feel I’m witnessing the evolution of robots and AI.” 

The winning robot, Tiangong Ultra, from the Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics, completed the race in 2 hours and 40 minutes. On the other hand, the men’s race winner finished in 1 hour and 2 minutes.

Tang Jian, the chief technology officer of the robotics centre, explained that Tiangong Ultra’s performance was helped by its long legs and an algorithm that mimics how humans run a marathon. “I don’t want to boast, but no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong’s sporting achievements,” he said. He also added that the robot’s batteries were replaced three times during the race. 

This is the first time humanoid robots have raced alongside humans, even though they have appeared in marathons over the past years.

China is investing heavily in emerging industries like robotics, hoping they will fuel new economic growth. 

BBC News shared the story in a social media post, and netizens had mixed reactions.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BBC News (@bbcnews)

As one commenter put it, “They’d have a lot more success if we didn’t keep this ridiculous notion that robots have to look like people. Give it four legs…and suddenly it’s more stable and has more weight capacity for computers and batteries.”

Another netizen remarked: “It’s good to see a diversity of robot forms, sizes, and capabilities as it shows multiple streams of R&D. While some are primitive today, they are at the disruptive innovation stage; based on the progress shown here, they will clearly cross the chasm into being ready for many everyday use cases within three to five years; it’s going to be interesting times as we adapt to the new economics of non-human but humanoid workers.”

While some found it impressive, other commenters shared a more serious take.”In a few years, this ain’t funny anymore,” one person wrote

Another added, “I thought robots were meant to help us (like in extreme situations where humans need rescue, etc), not compete against us in silly races and generate AI art…. what a waste”
One more user had strong words saying, “The reason why we shouldn’t have these people creating these 🤭….. They can’t even get human life right. Sickening how people want robots to control everything.”

Aryna Sabalenka pulls out her phone to capture the ball mark, causing drama on the court

Aiah Bathan
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Aryna Sabalenka pulls out her phone to capture the ball mark, causing drama on the court

World number one Aryna Sabalenka made headlines at the Stuttgart Open when she used a phone to take a photo of a disputed ball mark after the umpire refused to review it again. 

The incident happened during her quarter-final match against Elise Mertens, when a call went against Sabalenka and gave Mertens a 4-3 lead with a service break in the first set. Sabalenka, however, appeared confused by the decision, which was upheld by umpire Miriam Bley.

With this, the athlete decided to take matters into her own hands, which only added drama to the tense match. 

Sabalenka’s unexpected action 

Sabalenka felt that it was an incorrect call, and she was frustrated by the umpire’s refusal to recheck the mark. She took the unusual step of grabbing a phone from her team to document the spot herself. 

The move, both defiant and bold, sparked a strong reaction from the Stuttgart crowd. Some fans applauded her assertiveness, while others responded with whistles, and it is evident that the crowd has divided opinions on her actions. However, Sabalenka remained focused on the match despite the controversial incident, and she went on to win the match. 

More so, Miriam Bley warned Sabalenka for unsportsmanlike conduct after what she had done. Regardless of this, the world number one regained her composure and control. She then broke back immediately and went on to dominate the rest of the match, securing his victory with a final scoreline of 6-4, 6-1. 

After the match, Sabalenka and umpire Miriam Bley shook hands, but the gesture seemed tense. It left Sabalenka with the feeling that not everything was resolved between them. 

In an on-court interview, Sabalenka admitted, “When I gave her a handshake, there was a very interesting look and a very strong handshake, never had it before.” 

When asked when she returned the pressured handshake, the athlete answered, “No, it’s okay, why would I play this game with someone like her?” 

Sabalenka shared her win in a social media post, with a caption: “Semis 🔜🏆🚙🫶🏼”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aryna Sabalenka (@arynasabalenka)

It didn’t take long for the comments to start rolling in, specifically about the incident. One user wrote, “[I] Was hoping for the pic you took on court 😂❤️❤️❤️🙌”

“Was excited for the photo of that missed line in there 👀” read another comment.

More fans jumped in asking for the pic, saying things like: “Wish I could see the pic of the mark”, “Aryna show us the piccccc❤️”, “We want [to] see the mark out or in 😂”, and “All we want [is] that pic ❤️”

‘We’re ready’ — Saudi Arabia willing to host 64-team World Cup in 2034

Aiah Bathan
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‘We’re ready’ — Saudi Arabia willing to host 64-team World Cup in 2034

Saudi Arabia has expressed its readiness and willingness to host a 64-team World Cup in 2034, provided that FIFA approves the controversial proposal to expand the tournament from 48 teams.

The 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will have 48 teams, up from 32 in 2022. Furthermore, the South American football organisation, CONMEBOL, has suggested that the 2030 World Cup be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco with 64 teams, but some other regions did not agree with this idea, according to The Straits Times. 

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that Saudi Arabia would have no problem with increasing the number of teams. He stated, “We’re ready, or we will be ready, inshallah (God willing). If that’s a decision that FIFA takes and thinks that that’s a good decision for everyone, then we’re more than happy to deliver on it.” 

Moreover, he emphasised Saudi Arabia’s strong infrastructure for religious pilgrims, mentioning that four million people attended Mecca for Umrah during Ramadan this year and that five million are expected for the Hajj, showing the country’s capability to handle large-scale events.

Saudi Arabia as 2034 host 

In December, the global soccer governing body officially announced Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 men’s World Cup. Although uncontested, it drew sharp criticism from human rights organisations, who raised concerns over the country’s human rights record, including issues related to freedom of expression, women’s rights, and the treatment of migrant workers. Critics accuse the country of “sportswashing”, or using sports to distract from its human rights record. The government denies these allegations, stating that its laws are in place to protect national security. 

Despite the backlash, Saudi Arabia continues to push forward with its plans, using the tournament as part of its broader Vision 2030 initiative to boost its global image. As part of its 2034 World Cup bid, Saudi Arabia pledged to deliver 15 new or renovated stadiums by 2032. As these projects are expected to rely heavily on migrant labour, this has drawn further scrutiny from rights organisations.

With this, Al-Faisal declared that worker safety is a top priority for Saudi Arabia. He said that organisers are in regular contact with FIFA and Qatar, the hosts of the 2022 World Cup, to learn from their experience and improve their standards. 

More so, alcohol is banned in Saudi Arabia, as it is prohibited for observant Muslims. Al-Faisal confirmed that the 2034 World Cup will follow this rule, meaning the tournament will be alcohol-free.

He admitted, “The law now here in Saudi is that there’s no alcohol. Will that change in the future? We don’t know. But I don’t see it really affecting our sporting events at all… We’ve had more than 100 international events so far. We’ve had people come from all over the world to attend these sporting events. And everyone’s happy with the hospitality, the setup, the experience that they get.” 

“I don’t see it as an issue, to be honest. So I hope it’s not going to be an issue,” he added. 

Beyond the court: What life looks like for Chinese badminton star Lin Dan after retiring

Aiah Bathan
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Beyond the court: What life looks like for Chinese badminton star Lin Dan after retiring

Since his retirement from professional badminton in 2020, Chinese sports star Lin Dan, famously known as “Super Dan”, has shifted his focus to business and family. 

Instead of becoming a coach like many former athletes, Lin Dan chose to explore the business world and used his fame to build successful business ventures. According to the Chinese social media outlet Sohu, the former athlete earned more than 100 million yuan (about US$13.7 million) during the peak of his career, based on advertisements alone. Moreover, he’s also been involved in supporting his son’s tennis training, which takes him back and forth between China and Spain. 

Lin Dan also launched the Lin Dan Badminton Club after his retirement, and it became a success in Shenzhen, where it grew to at least five different locations. Truly, his strong business tactics were paying off, giving him and his family financial stability and a comfortable life after leaving professional sports. 

On changing nationality 

In recent months, Lin Dan’s wife and son have mostly been living in Spain, leading to speculations about a possible permanent move and even a change in their son’s nationality. However, Lin addressed this issue on social media, explaining that his son, Xiao Wu, is only in Spain for tennis training and has no plans to change his nationality.

More so, he mentioned that he still runs businesses in China, which is why he often travels between the two countries. 

Lin Dan’s badminton legacy 

Lin Dan is widely known as one of the greatest badminton singles players in history. He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, five-time World Champion, and five-time All England champion. 

He also first reached the world No. 1 ranking in 2004 and went on to dominate the sport for over a decade. By age 28, he had achieved the rare “Super Grand Slam,” winning all nine major badminton titles. This is a feat no other player has matched. 

Here is a list of his achievements throughout his sporting career: 

  • YONEX All England Open Champion (2004-2006, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2016)
  • YONEX Open Japan Champion (2005, 2006, 2015)
  • China Masters Champion (2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2014)
  • BWF World Championships Gold Medalist (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013)
  • Celcom Axiata Malaysia Open Champion (2017, 2019)
  • YONEX All England Open Finalist
  • Badminton Asia Championships Silver Medalist
  • Bonny China Masters Champion
  • Maybank Malaysia Open Finalist
  • Incheon Asian Games Gold Medalist
  • London Olympic Games Gold Medalist
  • Victor Korea Open Champion
  • YONEX French Open Champion
  • SCG Thailand Open Champion
  • YONEX German Open Champion(2011, 2012, 2016)
  • Badminton Asia Championships Gold Medalist (2010, 2011, 2014, 2015)
  • YONEX Open Chinese Taipei Champion (2006, 2014)
  • China Open Champion (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011)
  • Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Open Champion
  • TOTAL BWF World Championships Silver Medalist
  • YONEX Swiss Open Champion
  • YONEX Brasil Open Champion
  • Thaihot China Open Finalist
  • The Star Australian Open Champion
  • YONEX SUNRISE Hong Kong Open Champion
  • Guangzhou Asian Games Gold Medalist
  • Beijing Olympic Games Gold Medalist
  • Wilson Swiss Open Champion

In 2020, Lin Dan announced his retirement on July 4. At the age of 37, he admitted that his injuries and the feeling of constant pain made it difficult for him to continue competing at his level.

Lin Dan met his wife, fellow badminton star Xie Xingfang, in 1997, and they began dating in 2004. They married in 2010 and held a ceremony in 2012. Their first son was born in November 2016. However, soon after, Lin faced controversy when news of an affair broke. He publicly admitted his mistake and sought forgiveness, which his wife granted. The couple has since worked through their challenges and moved forward together.

GE2025: SDP launches election slogan “Thrive, Not Just Survive”, manifesto calls for GST cut and affordable housing

Khalis Rifhan
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GE2025: SDP launches election slogan “Thrive, Not Just Survive”, manifesto calls for GST cut and affordable housing

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has launched its general election slogan “Thrive, Not Just Survive”, and its manifesto, which has more than 60 proposals, that focuses on six key areas: economy, healthcare, housing, education, immigration, and climate change.

Dr Chee told reporters that the election slogan was conceptualised after their numerous engagements with residents, with many saying that they are merely surviving at this moment.

“Whether they are a Grab, driver, delivery or whether they are working in their offices, basically what they just do is frantically trying to keep pace with the costs of living that keeps going up,” said Dr Chee who will be contesting in the newly-created Sembawang West SMC against PAP’s Poh Li San. 

“Even Prime Minister (Lawrence) Wong has acknowledged that’s why he keeps doling out vouchers after rebates. They know Singaporean wages cannot keep up with the rising cost of living.”

SDP GE 2025 candidates and party members during the launch of its campaign slogan at Bukit Panjang SMC on April 19. (Photo: Facebook screengrab / PaulTambyah)

The party is calling for the reduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to seven per cent from the current nine per cent, and is also advocating for HDB flats to be priced at a much lower rate, as well as removing the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

Under the SDP’s non-open market scheme, the party proposed more affordable pricing for the HDB flats at the following rates: two-room units at $90,000, three-room units at $120,000, four-room units at $200,000, and five-room apartments at $270,000.

The SDP’s slogan for the upcoming general election was announced by the SDP’s secretary-general, Dr Chee Soon Juan, on Saturday (April 19) during a media doorstop at Block 257 Bangkit Road, within Bukit Panjang SMC.

The party is once again set to field Prof Paul Tambyah against the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) incumbent member of parliament, Mr Liang Eng Hwa, in this single-member constituency. In 2020, the Bukit Panjang SMC saw a fierce battle between Prof Tambyah and Mr Liang, with the latter polling 53.37% (18,085) of the votes.

WHAT DOES “T.H.R.I.VE” MEAN TO SDP

SDP’s chairman, Dr Tambyah, launched the party’s manifesto a day later, on Sunday (April 20) at the Yew Tee Square flanked by vice-chairman Mr Bryan Lim, alongside two of their Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC candidates, Mr Jufri Salim and Ms Gigine Wong.

Dr Tambyah elaborated that their campaign slogan “Thrive” has a profound significance that not only underpins the essence of their election manifesto but also symbolises the party’s vision for a prosperous and resilient future.

“T stands for taxation, and what we are asking for is taxation that is fair and equitable to everyone. We have long called for a decrease in the GST,” said Prof Tambyah.

“H is healthcare. It is an issue which is closest to my heart because I’ve spent more than 40 years in public healthcare in Singapore. SDP has proposed a universal single-payer healthcare insurance scheme.”

SDP’s chairman Prof Paul Tambyah at SDP’s campaign slogan launch, “Thrive, Not Just Survive” at Bukit Panjang SMC on April 19. (Photo: Facebook screengrab / PaulTambyah)

The SDP’s chairman explained further that “R” stands for respect for the environment and the climate, while the letter “I” in their slogan refers to the current hot-button issue, immigration.

“The SDP is not against immigration. We are against the unbridled immigration, which has contributed to overcrowding, which is stressed on the environment that we live in, and pressure for jobs for Singaporeans,” explained the senior consultant of the Infectious Diseases Division at the National University Hospital.

The SDP’s chairman also reiterates the lack of updates from the government’s Voluntary En-Bloc Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) that was launched in 2018.

“We heard that in the 2018 National Day Rally, the PAP government was going to come up with a programme called VERS, that was supposed to help out individuals who are facing lease decay. We’ve heard about it, and in seven years, we are given no information about how VERS is going to work.”

Lastly, Prof Tambyah outlined the meaning of the letter “E” in their campaign slogan, “Thrive, Not Just Survive.”

“E, we feel the most important is education. Having small class sizes, getting rid of the PSLE, and focusing on developing the child into who he or she wants to be, and who is actually gifted and talented to be.”

SDP’S CANDIDATES FOR THE 2020 GENERAL ELECTION

Sembawang West SMC: Dr Chee Soon Juan (Secretary-General)

Bukit Panjang SMC: Prof Paul Tambyah (Chairman)

Sembawang GRC: Bryan Lim (Chairman, Suraya Akbar (Treasurer), Dr James Gomez (Deputy Policy Head of Policy), Damanhuri Abas, and Alfred Tan

Marsiling – Yew Tee GRC: Jufri Salim (Organising Secretary), Dr Gigine Wong, Alec Tok, and Ariffin Sha

My coworkers appear ‘cold and dismissive’ — Man struggles to adjust in first full-time job

Yoko Nicole
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My coworkers appear ‘cold and dismissive’ — Man struggles to adjust in first full-time job

SINGAPORE: Starting your first full-time job is never a walk in the park, but for one Singaporean, it’s been especially tough as his coworkers seem “cold” and even “deliberately dismissive.”

Posting on Reddit’s Ask Singapore forum on Sunday (April 20), he explained, “From my very first week, I’ve felt out of place. Despite my efforts to be friendly and initiate small talk, I often feel ignored. We’re expected to have lunch together daily as a team, which should be a good opportunity to bond—but for me, it’s been the most stressful part of the day.”

He continued, “For example, there’s one coworker who never acknowledges me. I’ve tried to make conversation, only to be blatantly ignored while they continue chatting with others. This happens almost every day, and it’s mentally draining. I’ve even broken down a few times in private because it’s been so isolating.”

Despite the struggle, the man said he couldn’t just quit because he needed the income, and he knew finding another job wasn’t easy.

Seeking advice, he asked members of the forum, “How do you navigate tough work environments like this, especially when you feel excluded? Any tips for staying mentally strong and making the best of the situation? Is this something that might improve with time, or should I just focus on doing my job and not worry about fitting in socially?”

“Working life is tough to navigate, but it gets better with experience.”

In the discussion thread, most Singaporean Redditors agreed that building friendships at work shouldn’t be a priority, since the main purpose of a job is simply to earn a living.

One said, “Remember, at the end of the day, work is just a means to an end. Your colleagues are not your friends. Be cordial and polite, and don’t let emotions get in the way. Working life is tough to navigate, but it gets better with experience.”

Another commented, “I’m really sorry that you’re experiencing this; it’s not the best feeling to have. I went through similar situations as you did, and I am still learning to adjust, too. What kept me going in a bad situation or tough day was reminding myself that I’m only here to earn my rice bowl, the same as everyone else.

You’re there to make a living, not to make friends, even though a friend from a workplace would be a bonus. But do not be too trusting; not everyone is your friend just because they interact with you.”

A third shared, “From my personal point of view, I [actually] prefer working with people who avoid small talk or [come across as] cold. Why? Because those who make small talk or appear friendly at first often end up asking for personal requests, like asking you to lend money or getting you to do their unfinished work because he/she cannot complete it. Then, slowly, you’ll end up doing their backlog too.

Just treat your workplace as a place where you go, get your salary, and call it a day. Don’t think too much because typically when you get too close with your colleagues, problems will arise.”

In other news, a Singaporean man recently took to a popular online forum to express his disappointment over his wife’s financial contributions.

In a post on the r/askSingapore forum, he shared that although his wife earns slightly more than he does, due to her high bonuses, he still ends up covering the bulk of their household expenses.

The man revealed that he is responsible for paying for most things at home, including groceries, utility bills, and the majority of their children’s enrichment classes.

Read more: Wife makes more but pays less: Disappointed husband questions fairness of household finances

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

My mother-in-law nitpicks everything, while my sister-in-law gives her a ‘black face’ — Woman dreads weekly family visits

Yoko Nicole
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My mother-in-law nitpicks everything, while my sister-in-law gives her a ‘black face’ — Woman dreads weekly family visits

SINGAPORE: A woman who has been visiting her in-laws every week is now reconsidering whether she should continue doing so after realising that her efforts to build a relationship with them have been completely one-sided.

She shared her experience on the r/askSingapore forum on Sunday (April 20), explaining that every time she visits, her younger sister-in-law does not even acknowledge her and often greets her with a “black face.” Meanwhile, her mother-in-law, being “extremely controlling,” never fails to make a comment about everything the woman does, no matter how small.

The woman also revealed that she had told her husband before they got married that she did not get along with his family. As a compromise, he had promised that she would only need to attend major family gatherings such as Chinese New Year, birthdays, or Mother’s Day. However, that agreement was not kept, and the weekly visits soon became a regular routine.

She went on to say that one of the biggest challenges is that her husband refuses to speak up to his parents, even when situations become uncomfortable. Because of this, she is often left to defend herself during tense interactions.

Now feeling emotionally drained and increasingly anxious about each visit, she turned to Reddit for advice.

She asked, “Is it ok to just see them occasionally and not every week? I’m not sure if I should still visit my in-laws every week, as I’m always dreading it.”

“It’s okay to not see them all the time.”

The woman’s post sparked a wave of responses from the online community, with many agreeing that it’s perfectly valid to distance oneself from toxic in-laws, especially when the relationship becomes emotionally draining and one-sided.

One commenter said, “Yes, please, it’s okay to not see them all the time. I had the same issue, too; my parents aren’t happy with the in-laws as well.

We had a huge argument, and my husband had to step in. I really think my in-laws are expecting too much; they want to be treated like a king and queen. Like, come on, what year is it already?”

Another shared, “I’ve been in your situation before. I tried to convince myself to stay, but in the end, it was also the very reason that made me leave him, because the mental load became unbearable. I’m not encouraging you to leave, but as females, we need to protect ourselves.”

Some users also took aim at the woman’s husband for his lack of involvement in resolving the issue. One wrote, “So where is your husband in the middle of all of this? If you tried to discuss it with him, but he doesn’t acknowledge the problem and just runs away and doesn’t do anything, [there’s a] high chance that he is just another spineless mummy’s boy.

It’s his job to proactively defend and protect you from his own family, not just stand on one side meekly while he watches his own mum bully his own wife. You really want to be with such a husband, meh?”

Conflict with in-laws

Ginger Kolbaba, an award-winning author, editor, and speaker, suggests that when it comes to handling conflicts with in-laws, setting boundaries is essential. She advises that if your in-laws are behaving in ways that are uncomfortable for you, it’s best not to escalate the situation with a tantrum or by allowing emotions to take over. Instead, talk things through with your spouse, and together, figure out some healthy boundaries. Once you’ve agreed on them, communicate those boundaries clearly with your in-laws, and stick to them as a team.

Kolbaba also encourages maintaining a calm perspective when your in-laws offer their opinions. Ultimately, these are just opinions, and you are not obligated to agree with them or even follow them. Most importantly, she emphasises the value of kindness, even during tense moments. Kindness goes a long way, and it helps you maintain your own peace of mind while navigating tricky family dynamics.

Read also: Employee terminated for not agreeing to work on Saturdays, asks Singaporeans, ‘Is this wrongful termination?’

Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)

‘I’m very confused’ — Man asks if he’s wrong to party with his friends while his girlfriend grieves her dog’s death

Yoko Nicole
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‘I’m very confused’ — Man asks if he’s wrong to party with his friends while his girlfriend grieves her dog’s death

SINGAPORE: A man took to social media to ask netizens if he was in the wrong for partying with his friends while his girlfriend was grieving the loss of her dog.

In an anonymous post on NTU Confessions, the man explained that he had tried to support her in every way he could. He even insisted on staying with her over the weekend and suggested doing things she enjoys, like going out for sushi and playing Cyberpunk 2077, to help lift her mood. However, his girlfriend declined, explaining that she didn’t want to talk and preferred to handle her grief on her own.

Since she didn’t want him around and he would otherwise be alone at home, he decided to hang out with some friends (whom she had always said she liked) and ended up going to a Skin Night event at Ten Men’s Club. “I told her that I was going, and she said I could do whatever I wanted and that she wouldn’t really care,” he said.

However, the next day, he was shocked when his girlfriend called him, extremely upset. She told him she was “very disappointed” that he wasn’t there for her during such a difficult time. She also said she had “trouble sleeping”, wasn’t feeling well because of her loss, and didn’t feel like she “could call or text him” since he was out partying.

In response, he told her girlfriend that he understood her desire to be on her own but reminded her that she could talk to him anytime, and he would be there. He added that even though he went to the party, he would have left immediately had she told him she needed him.

He continued, “Some people said I should simply go, but she lives with her parents, and I can’t just show up there without any warning. Not gonna lie, I am very confused about this situation. Am I the jerk?”

In the comments, one netizen offered a suggestion to help the man assess whether he was in the wrong. They wrote, “It’s very easy to tell if you’re in the wrong. Just switch the dog’s death with a human’s, and imagine you were the one grieving instead of your girlfriend. Then imagine she went out to have fun. How would you feel?”

Supporting your partner through grief

When your partner is grieving, it can be really hard to know how to support them, especially if you haven’t experienced a similar loss yourself. You may feel a strong urge to understand their pain or fix the situation, but grief is a deeply personal and complex process, and everyone handles it differently.

Grief experts suggest that during times like these, the most helpful thing you can do is offer your unwavering presence and support. Sometimes, simply letting your partner know you’re there, without trying to change how they feel, can provide them with comfort. Your steady compassion can help them feel less isolated as they navigate their grief in their own way.

Read also: Singaporean confused why companies ask for so much ‘personal and confidential info’ before job interviews

Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)

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