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Benjamin Kheng

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Benjamin Kheng is the vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist of The Sam Willows. He was a former national swimmer and also a radio DJ for Lush 99.5FM. He has starred in several plays and movies and has also collaborated with many international and local content creators on YouTube.[1] As of 2019, he has collaborated with Hirzi Zulkiflie to launch The BenZi Project, a comedy sketch channel on YouTube.

Benjamin Kheng
Benjamin Kheng.jpg
Born15 August 1990
EducationDiploma in Arts and Theatre Management
Alma materAnglo-Chinese School (Primary), Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore Sports School, Republic Polytechnic
Known forContent producer, Actor, Musician, The Sam Willows
FamilyNarelle Kheng

Background

The Sam Willows

 
The Sam Willows performing live at one of their concerts. Photo from 8 Days.

The Sam Willows is comprised of Narelle Kheng, Jonathan Chua, Benjamin Kheng, Sandra Riley Tang. In late 2011, the quartet had first grouped together to perform at their school’s alumni concert.[2] In May 2012, The Sam Willows uploaded their first mashup and cover of hit songs Hey Soul Sister by Train and We Are Young by Fun. The video went viral and marked their rise to fame as a household name.


In an early interview, Sandra stated that their band’s name ‘The Sam Willows’ is representative of their collective identity as a band, emphasizing the “organic feel” that ‘Sam Willows’ implies. On 27 May 2019, The Sam Willows announced that they were going on a hiatus.[3]

Youth athlete & competitive swimming

 
Benjamin Kheng was a youth athlete in primary and secondary school. Photo from BURO.

At six years old, Benjamin Kheng swam competitively where he was part of the Swimfast Aquatic Club, managed by a former national swimmer, David Lim.[4] Benjamin Kheng had previously attended Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) and Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) before transferring to Singapore Sports School to further his pursuit in competitive swimming.[5]


During his time at Singapore Sports School, Benjamin Kheng was part of the national youth team, specializing in long-distance events and individual medley. He participated in regional competitions and won various titles. In 2005, he won the Queensland State Championships for the boys' 200 m individual medley at a timing of 2:16.92.[6][7] In 2006, Benjamin Kheng was presented with the National Schools Colours Award in recognition of his sporting achievements.[8]

Media and performing arts

As part of a program by the Singapore Sports School, Benjamin Kheng enrolled in Republic Polytechnic's Arts and Theatre Management course. He also participated in plays such as The Little Prince (Act 3 International) at the 2009 Shanghai International Children's Theatre Festival.[9]


Additionally, Benjamin Kheng ventured into radio presenting. He was previously a radio presenter at Lush 99.5 FM where he hosted 'The Art of Lush' and 'The Lush Lab'.[10] In 2012, Benjamin Kheng co-founded The Sam Willows. The band has since developed a strong follower base with an average of 170,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.[11]


Benjamin Kheng is signed to Fly Entertainment, managed by Irene Ang.[12]

Personal life

Family

Benjamin Kheng (金文明) was born on 15 August 1990.[13] His father is Kheng Meng Siong. In 2014, Ben released a spoken piece titled "FATHER, FATHER" (YouTube video) dedicated to his dad. The video was directed by The Sam Willows band member, Sandra Riley Tang and the music and lyrics were written in collaboration with Joel Tan (Gentle Bones).[14] Benjamin Kheng is also the older brother of The Sam Willows band member, Narelle Kheng.[15]


During his childhood, Benjamin Kheng was largely influenced by his mother, Regina, who had introduced him to renowned classical composers including Tchaikovsky and Bach. [16] In 2002, Benjamin Kheng's mother passed away after a four year battle with Stage 2 breast cancer.[17]

Career highlights

Acting & hosting

 
Ben Kheng pictured (bottom row, second from right) in the promotional poster for No Sleep No FOMO (2019). Photo from HelloKpop.

Most notably in 2019, Ben was a part of an international cast for No Sleep No FOMO. The eight-part series is a reality travelogue show featuring both local and international celebrities and social media personalities. Alongside Benjamin Kheng, members of the show include Eric Nam, Nat Ho, Paul Foster and guest appearances by Kim Jong Kook. In each episode, members explore new cities and while completing missions.[18][19]

Year Title of Show/Movie Role Refs.
2019 No Sleep No FOMO Host [20][21]
2019 The Intruder (Toggle) Main character (Adam) [22]
2018 FAM! (Toggle) Main character [23][24]
2017 Wonderboy Main character (Richard Lee) -
2017 The Breakup List (Toggle) Main character (Luke Wong) -
2016 Can You Not?! (YouTube web series) Main character (Jason) -

Music collaborations[25]

Year Project Artist Role
2017 2017 BILLBOARD HITS MASHUP (YouTube) Vidi Aldiano Featured artist
2017 Sober Evanturetime (Evan Low) Produced a song alongside Jonathan Chua and Nathan Hartono
2016 YAYA THELIONCITYBOY Featured artist in the single
2016 Comfortable & Blank Bittymacbeth Featured artist in the 'Beauty for Ashes' album
2016 I Got All I Need (This Christmas) The Apex Project Featured artist
2015 Fight Song - Rachel Platten - ONE TAKE! Benjamin Kheng & KHS Cover (YouTube) Kurt & Company Featured artist
2015 A Love Song - Unbreakable 28th SEA Games Featured artist in the 'Songs Of The Games' album
2015 Strangers Debra Khng Featured artist in the 'Wolves in The Night' album
2015 Red & Blue ShiGGa Shay Featured artist in the 'ShiGGa Shay’ album

Theatre

 
In 2014, Ben Kheng played the character Ken Chow in the Ah Boys To Men musical. Photo from AsiaOne.
Year Title of Play Character Company Refs.
2014 Ah Boys To Men: The Musical Ken Chow Running Into The Sun [26]
2013 Edges The Musical Main character Sight Lines Productions [27]
2013 Romeo & Juliet Romeo Toy Factory Singapore [28]
2012 National Broadway Company Dick Lee Theatreworks [29]
2012 Boom Real estate agent Sight Lines Productions [30][31]
2009 The Little Prince Titular Character Act 3 International [32][33]

The BenZi Project (2019 - present)

 
Ben Kheng (right) and Hirzi (left) in Code Switching. Thumbnail from YouTube.

Ben collaborated with Hirzi Zulkiflie to create The BenZi Project (YouTube channel), a comedy sketch channel on YouTube. The series feature relatable scenarios faced by most Singaporeans such as 'The Halal Gap' (YouTube video) and 'Code-Switching' (YouTube video). Hirzi and Ben produce, direct and act in every episode of The Benzi Project. In a 2019 interview with 8 Days, Ben shared that the duo hoped to monetise The BenZi Project in the future.[34]

Radio DJ (May 2008 - November 2010)

Benjamin Kheng started his journey in the entertainment industry as a radio DJ for Lush 99.5FM with two recurring programmes ‘The Art Of Lush’ and ‘The Lush Lab’.[35]

Social causes

TEDxYouth@Singapore (2014)

The theme for TedxYouth in 2014 was “REGENERATION” and it aimed to change mindsets of Singaporean youth and empower them.[36]


During his talk titled "Walk With Your Mind; Run With Your Heart" (YouTube video), Benjamin Kheng spoke about how he overcame his anxiety disorder during his youth. He shared a story about how he was bullied in high school for being short and talked about his late mother and other pivotal experiences he had growing up. He stressed that to reach greater heights, one needs to embrace personal demons. Ben also shared the fact that he is a synesthete, a person who associates each music note with a unique person and colour.[37]

Volunteer at Singapore Cancer Society

Benjamin Kheng is a regular volunteer at the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS). He has been volunteering for the SCS since 2016 and has performed at many of their events including the ‘Relay for Life’, a marathon event, with his sister.[38]

References / Citation

  1. ↑ “Benjamin Kheng”. Fly Entertainment. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
  2. ↑ Sumayao, Marco. “The Sam Willows learn to grow up without ditching fun”. MTV Asia. July 13, 2018. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
  3. ↑ Tan, Kendra. "The Sam Willows Are Taking A Break: "I Wish I Had More Drama For You But We're All Still Good Friends"". 8 Days. May 28, 2019. Accessed on 20 November 2019.
  4. ↑ Tan, Corrie. “Star turn”. The Straits Times. April 23, 2014. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  5. ↑ Ho, Ai Li. “They want the best of both worlds”. The Straits Times. November 8, 2004. Accessed on 21 October 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  6. ↑ “Home Sports”. The Straits Times. January 11, 2005. Accessed on 21 October 2019. Retrieved from Factiva
  7. ↑ “Sports School continue golden run”. Today. August 11, 2006. Accessed on 21 October 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  8. ↑ “2006 National Schools Colours Award winners”. The Straits Times. October 24, 2006. Accessed on 21 October 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  9. ↑ Tan, Corrie. “Star turn”. The Straits Times. April 23, 2014. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  10. ↑ "Benjamin Kheng | FLY Entertainment". FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  11. ↑ "The Sam Willows". Spotify. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  12. ↑ "Benjamin Kheng | FLY Entertainment". FLY Entertainment. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  13. ↑ "Benjamin Kheng | Wiki | Asian Music Amino". aminoapps.com. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  14. ↑ Kheng, Benjamin. “FATHER, FATHER || Spoken Word || Benjamin Kheng x Gentle Bones”. YouTube. December 22, 2014. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
  15. ↑ Tan, Corrie. "THE LIFE! INTERVIEW WITH Benjamin Kheng; Star turn". The Straits Times. April 21, 2014. Accessed on 21 October 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  16. ↑ Yeo, Melissa. "10 Narelle Kheng Facts That’ll Make You Fall In Love With Her". Must Share News. December 3, 2015. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  17. ↑ Noor, Ashikin Abdul Rahman. "For Love of Mum: The deeper meaning behind The Sam Willows' MV". The New Paper. October 23, 2015. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  18. ↑ "Viu’s No Sleep No FOMO Cast Members Share Their Filming Experiences". HallyuSG. March 20, 2019. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  19. ↑ Tetchie. "Viu Original “No Sleep No FOMO” Cast Members Showcase An Amazing Launch Party". hellokpop.com. March 22, 2019. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  20. ↑ "Viu’s No Sleep No FOMO Cast Members Share Their Filming Experiences". HallyuSG. March 20, 2019. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  21. ↑ Tetchie. "Viu Original “No Sleep No FOMO” Cast Members Showcase An Amazing Launch Party". hellokpop.com. March 22, 2019. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  22. ↑ “The Intruder”. Toggle. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
  23. ↑ "Singapore sitcom 'FAM!' nominated for International Emmy Award". Yahoo. September 21, 2019. Accessed on 15 October 2019.
  24. ↑ "Nominees - International Academy of Television Art & Sciences". International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Accessed on 15 October 2019.
  25. ↑ “Benjamin Kheng”. Spotify. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
  26. ↑ Ng, Gwendolyn. “Hit local military movie Ah Boys To Men to become musical”. The Straits Times. February 5, 2014. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
  27. ↑ Tan, Corrie. "Gen Y angst in song and dance". The Straits Times. April 1, 2013. Accessed on 21 October 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  28. ↑ Pham, Larry. “It Is My Lady - A Song From Romeo & Juliet by Toy Factory Productions”. YouTube. January 28, 2014. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
  29. ↑ "Singapore theatre's 1980s zeitgeist". The Business Times. August 17, 2012. Accessed on 21 October 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  30. ↑ "Inkpot Review: Boom by Sight Lines Productions". inkpotreviews.com. 2012. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  31. ↑ Martin, Mayo. "Grave issues ; A trip to Bukit Brown Cemetery moves the folks behind Boom". Today. June 19, 2012. Accessed on 21 October 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  32. ↑ "Bless the children". The Straits Times. July 22, 2009. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  33. ↑ Ng, Magdalen. "Singapore showcase in Shanghai". The Straits Times. July 9, 2009. Accessed on 21 October 2019. Retrieved from Factiva.
  34. ↑ Fam, Jonathan. "How Benjamin Kheng And Hirzi Made The Smartest & Funniest Show On The Internet". 8 Days. June 30, 2019. Accessed on 19 November 2019.
  35. ↑ “Benjamin Kheng”. Celebs Money. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
  36. ↑ TEDxYouth. “Walk With Your Mind; Run With Your Heart: Benjamin Kheng at TEDxYouth@Singapore”. YouTube. February 4, 2014. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
  37. ↑ TedxYouth. "Walk With Your Mind; Run With Your Heart: Benjamin Kheng at TEDxYouth@Singapore". YouTube. February 4, 2014. Accessed on 21 October 2019.
  38. ↑ Tay, Winston. “A cause close to Benjamin Kheng's heart”. Youth.sg. February 2, 2014. Accessed on 11 January 2019.
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