Grateful for a BTO queue number iconic NDP scene (2022)
The "BTO queue number" moment refers to a viral incident at Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP) 2022, when content creator Nicole Liel was interviewed live and enthusiastically expressed gratitude to the Housing & Development Board (HDB) for giving her a "BTO queue number," followed by a mention of "Ya Kun kaya toast."[1][2] The moment became widely shared on social media and was recognized as one of the memorable highlights of NDP 2022.[1][3]
The moment
At NDP 2022, during the host-audience segment, the parade emcee asked members of the crowd what they were grateful for. When given the microphone, Nicole Liel, dressed in red to support the parade's theme, responded that she was "very grateful to HDB for giving me a BTO queue number" and added "and Ya Kun kaya toast."[1][2]
Liel later revealed in interviews that she and her partner had unsuccessfully applied for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats multiple times before finally obtaining a queue number. She described the response as spontaneous, explaining that a broadcast crew had approached her at the event and informed her she might appear on television only minutes before she was asked to speak.[2][4]
Video goes viral
Videos of the moment circulated rapidly online. On TikTok especially, the “BTO queue number + Ya Kun” line became a meme and even a kind of badge of shared youth‑housing struggle. The wave of shares and laughs solidified the moment as a trending “feel‑Singaporean” clip.[1][5]
Press outlets identified the moment as one of the standout segments of NDP 2022, and it was frequently included in lists of memorable moments from the parade.[1][3]
Response from Ya Kun
On 10 August 2022, the day after the National Day Parade, Ya Kun Kaya Toast contacted Liel to thank her for the publicity. In a TikTok video, Liel revealed that Ya Kun offered her 57 free cups of kopi or teh.[5][6] Liel expressed appreciation but requested that the gift include their signature Set A meal, which consists of kaya toast with butter and a drink. She also requested that Ya Kun provide 57 of these Set A meals to her followers.[5][6]
By the afternoon of the same day, Liel shared on Instagram that Ya Kun had agreed to her request. She subsequently distributed promo codes for the 57 Set A meals in batches to her followers via her Instagram Story.[5]
Aftermath
Following the attention from her NDP appearance, Liel shared details about her BTO application journey, including the number of times she had applied, compromises made during the process such as relinquishing top-floor preferences, and financial challenges including a credit card limit issue that nearly affected the downpayment process.[7][8]
References/Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Liew, Isabelle. “From injured Red Lion to crying man: 5 things about NDP 2022 people are talking about” The Straits Times, 9 August, 2022. Accessed 27 November 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 “10 Facts About Nicole Liel, The Enthu HDB Queue Number Girl At NDP 2022 & Viral TikTok Star” ZULA, 12 August, 2022. Accessed 27 November 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sekkappan, Cheryl. “Seven memorable moments from National Day Parade 2022” Timeout, 10 August, 2022. Accessed 27 November 2025.
- ↑ Khalid, Cam. “Nicole Liel on creating genuine comedic content: "It’s me experiencing life in Singapore"” Her World, 5 March, 2024. Accessed 27 November 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Zi Shan Kow. “Woman, offered 57 free Ya Kun drinks after NDP shout-out, asks for set meals & giveaways & gets them” Mothership, 11 August, 2022. Accessed 27 November 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 “@lielnicole” TikTok, 10 August, 2022. Accessed 27 November 2025.
- ↑ Teo, Jasmine. “Don’t use cold hard cash to pay BTO downpayments — & other things TikToker Nicole Liel learned about getting a BTO at 25” Todayonline, 13 April, 2023. Accessed 27 November 2025.
- ↑ Rashid, Amierul. “Influencer Nicole Liel gives tips on how she purchased a BTO flat in her early 20s” Asiaone, 10 April, 2023. Accessed 27 November 2025.