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Hypebeast Ah Gong (Tan Cheng Bock)

"Hypebeast Ah Gong" is an endearing nickname given to Singaporean politician Dr. Tan Cheng Bock during the 2020 General Election (GE2020) campaign period, when the then-80-year-old Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Secretary-General became an unexpected Instagram sensation.[1][2]

Tan Cheng Bock demonstrating that his glasses are lensless. Photo from Instagram video.

Background

Tan Cheng Bock

Dr. Tan Cheng Bock (born 1940) is a veteran Singaporean politician and medical practitioner who served as a People's Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament for 26 years from 1980 to 2006, representing Ayer Rajah SMC (1980-1991) and later Ayer Rajah division of West Coast GRC (1991-2006).[3]

After retiring from politics in 2006, Dr. Tan returned to the political scene in 2011 when he contested the 2011 Presidential Election, narrowly losing to Tony Tan Keng Yam by a margin of just 0.35% (7,269 votes) one of the closest presidential elections in Singapore's history.[4]

In 2019, Dr. Tan founded the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), positioning it as an alternative opposition party focused on accountability, transparency, and pragmatic governance.[5]

How it started

The "Hypebeast Ah Gong" phenomenon began on July 1, 2020, a day after Nomination Day for the 2020 General Election when Dr. Tan posted a video on Instagram showing him slipping his finger through one of his spectacle frames, revealing that his glasses had no lenses.[3][6]

The Instagram post featured a simple caption:[3][7]

"One thing you do not know about me is that my glasses does not have lens. Broadcast over. Going home to rest. Goodbye."

 
Tan Cheng Bock teaching his friend the meaning of 'hypebeast'. Photo from Instagram video.

Dr. Tan later explained during a walkabout that he no longer needed glasses after undergoing cataract surgery, but continued wearing the lens-less frames because he was afraid people wouldn't recognize him without them.[3][8] He stated:[3]

"I don't need the glasses after my cataract operation. But well, I am afraid people don't recognise me if I don't wear glasses."

Netizens' reaction

The video drew a strong immediate response from Dr. Tan's then-10,000+ Instagram followers, many of whom commented that wearing glasses without lenses for purely aesthetic/branding purposes made him a "hypebeast."[3] The term typically refers to someone who collects fashionable items, especially streetwear, for the purpose of staying on-trend and impressing others.[9]

The video, which also appeared on his Instagram Story, garnered close to 60k views within two days, significantly more than his other recent posts.[3]

Dr. Tan's embrace of the term

Rather than being confused or dismissive, Dr. Tan embraced the "hypebeast" label with endearing enthusiasm. He replied to his followers' comments with the message:[1][3]

"Thank you all. This means I have been a Hype Beast person for 10 years."

When questioned by media the next day about appearing at a walkabout without his glasses, Dr. Tan replied using millennial lingo:[3]

 
A meme of Tan Cheng Bock. Photo from Mothership.

"Hypebeast... We all did a trick, so all of you got excited asking how come I am not wearing glasses."

Media coverage

Dr. Tan's Instagram presence generated significant media coverage during the GE2020 campaign period. International outlets like Hypebeast magazine featured him, with headlines like "Progress Singapore Party Secretary-General Tan Cheng Bock Tries to Explain

'Hypebeast.'"[10] Local media outlets extensively covered his social media activities, with titles such as:

  • "Tan Cheng Bock Is The Hypebeast Ah Gong Of Singapore Turned Instagram Influencer"[2]
  • "'Hypebeast Ah Gong' Tan Cheng Bock Is New Darling of Instagram"[11]
  • "At 80, 'hypebeast' Tan Cheng Bock becomes an unexpected Instagram sensation"[3][8]
  • "80YO Tan Cheng Bock Uses IG Like a Boss to Communicate with Young Voters"[10]

References/Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Beatrice Del Rosario. "Dr Tan Cheng Bock: PSP leader and 'hypebeast', 'woke' social media star" The Independent Singapore, 5 July, 2020. Accessed 21 January 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Seng, Sabrina. "Tan Cheng Bock Is The Hypebeast Ah Gong Of Singapore Turned Instagram Influencer" Mustsharenews, 4 July, 2020. Accessed 21 January 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 "Singapore GE: At 80, 'hypebeast' Tan Cheng Bock becomes an unexpected Instagram sensation" Malay Mail, 3 July, 2020. Accessed 21 January 2026.
  4. ↑ “Presidential Election Results” Elections Department Singapore. n.d. Accessed 21 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Progress Singapore Party" OurPSP. n.d. Accessed 21 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "Now youths can follow PSP's 'hypebeast' Tan Cheng Bock on Instagram" The Independent Singapore, 4 July , 2020. Accessed 21 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Dr. Tan Cheng Bock is now a Hypebeast Influencer at 80" Alvinology, 3 July, 2020. Accessed 21 January 2026.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Wong, Pei Ting. “GE2020: At 80, ‘hypebeast’ Tan Cheng Bock becomes an unexpected Instagram sensation” Todayonline, 3 July, 2020. Accessed 21 January 2026.
  9. ↑ “What does Hypebeast mean?” Merriam Webster. n.d. Accessed 21 January 2026.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Zhi Hao. "80YO Tan Cheng Bock Uses IG Like a Boss to Communicate with Young Voters" Goody Feed, 5 July, 2020. Accessed January 21, 2026.
  11. ↑ KanyeNorth. "'HYPEBEAST AH GONG' TAN CHENG BOCK IS NEW DARLING OF INSTAGRAM" Singapore Uncensored, 16 July, 2020. Accessed January 21, 2026.
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