SINGAPORE – Simon Khung may currently be embroiled in online controversy, but his biggest movie role to date is still proceeding – with the film’s director standing by the casting.
The Singaporean content creator, better known by his moniker Simonboy, first faced public backlash regarding the Forever Megan Charity.
He set it up on Nov 6 in remembrance of his late daughter Megan Khung, who made national headlines when she died at the age of four in February 2020, after suffering over a year of horrific abuse by her mother and the woman’s boyfriend.
Some netizens criticised his parental role in the girl’s upbringing and for using her name to gain sympathy or publicity.
On Nov 12, Khung became involved in a feud with local influencer Xiaxue, whose real name is Wendy Cheng. His lawyer threatened to take legal action over her Instagram remarks that questioned his intentions behind the charity and sent her a cease-and-desist letter.
Nonetheless, Khung, 38, is still slated to appear in upcoming local movie Pace, which starts filming on Nov 20 and is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2026.
It stars Mediacorp actor Desmond Tan, 39, as a former drug offender who takes up long-distance running in a bid to find his rhythm in life.
Pace is written and directed by local film-maker Jonathan Choo, 36, the elder son of veteran actor Zhu Houren, 70. Zhu is a cast member alongside his younger son Joel Choo, 31.
Khung plays a supporting character, an ex-drug offender who is described as “fun and optimistic” and a “very good ‘brother’” to Tan’s protagonist.
When asked how he has been coping with the negative news surrounding him, he told the local media at Pace’s lensing ceremony on Nov 19 held at halfway house The Helping Hand: “I just be myself. I cannot change the past. But I believe that in recent years, I have not let people down.”
Before the event, reporters were briefed that the director and cast would respond only to questions pertaining to the film.
Khung added: “People ask about the biggest challenge and struggle I face (for this role). I wouldn’t say there is (any). I just want to act well (in) this movie.”
Jonathan Choo, who did not know Khung personally beforehand, offered him the role about half a year ago after watching videos of him on social media, as he felt there were parallels to Khung’s real-life past and personality.
Khung, who has more than 106,000 followers on Instagram and 252,000 followers on TikTok, said he is “very surprised and happy” to be involved.
The former drug addict, who has been jailed three times and was named the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association’s first ambassador in 2024, said: “You seldom get to watch a (local) movie about drug addicts. So, when I heard about it, I was very excited.”
Khung previously appeared in local movie Money No Enough 3 (2024) and is also set to feature in the upcoming Singapore-Thailand co-production 3 Good Guys, whose filming wrapped in May.
While he acknowledged his inexperience in the craft, he loves acting. “It is not just delivering the line – your body language also has to convey the emotions. I never ever dreamed that one day I would be (acting).”
He added: “When I do something, I want to do it well. I don’t want to bring the team down. I will do my best.”
The team members behind Pace include (from left) actors Zaki Hussain, Albert Tan and Simon Khung, director Jonathan Choo, as well as actors Zhu Houren, Joel Choo and Desmond Tan.
PHOTO: SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
Jonathan Choo told The Straits Times he stands by each of his cast members, adding: “Everyone has their own struggles and experiences, and this film very much reflects that. It tries not to villainise people.
“There are characters in this film who take drugs, but we try to show at the end of the day, they are just human beings.”
Choo also does not think Khung’s off-screen controversies and polarising persona will affect the public reception of Pace.
“(These are) different matters. When audiences see the film, hopefully they will be moved by the characters.”
He added: “I’d like to think people will see a slightly different side of Simon. There are some similarities, but they will also be surprised.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.straitstimes.com ’
