As a teenager, Cho Jun Ming was considered a youth-at-risk—going in and out of police stations multiple times and breaking enough rules for his teachers and principals to give up on him. Past age 20 however, he changed and is now a man on a mission to affect positive change through film-making. We asked him what changed and were surprised to hear him advocating the importance of getting good grades in school. 

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“Wealth is definitely very important because to do anything that you want you definitely need money.”

Q: Hi Jun Ming! Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and how old you are now?

A: Hi, I’m 24 this year. I’m an independent self-taught film-maker. I usually make films that inculcate social values and make a positive change to society. For example: Anti-drugs, anti-suicide, anti-depression, chasing dreams, cherishing lives and other societal issues. 

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What are your current daily and weekly routines like?

I am right now serving my National Service [compulsory for all Singaporean males older than 16.5 years of age] and I do army media work. So Monday-Friday, during normal office hours, I’ll work till 5, and during the weekends I’ll do my own writing—films, story ideas writing—and production schedules. 

How is your body different from what it was like at age 10?

Aged 10, I was more hyper-active, more energised. Because I’m actually a person suffering from ADHD, at the age of 10 I was super energetic and had good stamina. But right now it has deteriorated so I’m less active.

What brings you joy these days?  

I think that to be able to help people overcome their negative thoughts and their setbacks brings me joy because I came from a background where not everything is as simple as it seems and I’ve had to climb very hard in my film-making journey. So I understand those who are struggling with their lives, or who are at their lowest point of their lives. Helping them brings me joy. 

Which item, bought or received in the past year, has been most useful to you?

I think it is my dad’s jacket. Because before he passed on, he didn’t pass me anything except for this jacket which he wore during his younger days. So this jacket actually brings me motivation and tells me that I need to keep on working hard, not just for myself but for him as well.  

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What were you like as a kid and how have you changed since?

As a kid I was very rebellious. Just like most kids I didn’t cherish my parents well. And as an only son, I got mixed up with a group of friends who were not exactly negative but interesting people with stories of their own. So I grew up in an environment different from my peers in a bad way but that bad way actually taught me a lot of knowledge and gave me experiences. 

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Can you list 3 things you realised or learned only after age 20 that you didn’t know before? 

The first would be to plan ahead. I think planning ahead is very important—though most young people only look at the current and don’t look ahead much. 

Second would be to have faith. Faith in others. As long as you show them you have the ability to work hard and be determined to do your own things, people will eventually help you. 

The third would be family love. Because I lost my dad, I’m full of regrets now that I want to cherish him but I don’t have any chances left.   

Which 3 people or things in your life are most important to you right now? 

The first would be my passion—my passion in film-making. Because I always believe film can create positive change for society and is a universal language that connects the storyteller to the audience. 

The second would be my father because he’s a very calm person and whenever I did something wrong he wouldn’t try to beat me or scold me, he just taught me about the do’s and don’ts. I didn’t see that when I was young but now that he’s gone I’m starting to reflect back and starting to miss him. 

The third would be not a thing or person but the opportunity to be able to help those who are in need because I believe there are more people troubled right now. 

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How important is status at age 20? What about wealth, knowledge acquisition, romance, birthdays and friendships? 

Wealth is definitely very important because to do anything that you want you definitely need money. And I think knowledge is important because if you have the right knowledge, then your path will be a better one—the way you carve your path in the future will be a better one. And as for romance, to be honest, I agree with the people who say that you should have your career stabilise first before you find your life partner. Just let nature flow. Birthdays… if you’re happy then everyday will be your birthday. Friendships are very, very important. I think you should have a strong bond of friendship, brotherhood, so you should lend a helping hand in the future. 

What regrets do you have?

My regret would be not studying hard. I have a passion for films but because of my poor N-Level results I was unable to get into film school—I was rejected 3 times. So I now think academics really play a very important role. 

What do you think those not yet 20 should be doing while they still can?

I think that they should try to play less and try to reflect on what they are about to do in the future—about how they can contribute to society in a better way. 

Is there anybody you presently look up to, who you would like to learn from?

I will just name 1: M. Night Shyamalan, the director of Glass, Split and The Sixth Sense. I would like to learn about his storytelling style and his directing style. 

Lastly, do you think about death? And if so, what do you think of it? 

Currently, no. But after my dad’s passing I actually fell into a severe depression and from there, I really thought about death every day. What I think about death is that life is very meaningless if you don’t know what to do with it in the next 10 or 20 or 50 years. So at that moment, when I really didn’t know what I was doing, I thought of ending my life by either jumping down or over-dosing on medication. Which I did. I attempted both but I failed.  

Jun Ming has, fortunately, finally gotten into film school which he will start in August this year. Once that is over, he hopes to be able to make films that represent Singapore and get those films into international film festivals. You can follow his updates on his Facebook page or exchange words with him using the comment box below. (Fun fact: He’s single and has never been in a relationship before!) Next time we talk with him, we’ll be asking how he got over losing his dad at a young age. Stay tuned. 

If you would like to share your thoughts on being the age you are, do let us know here. Or read what it’s like to be a different age here. 

You may also be interested in:
What It’s Like Being Older Than 30
What It’s Like Being Older Than 40

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Cho Jun Ming. Interviewer: Sy
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