October’s Cozy Blend of Pumpkin Spice and Paranormal Tales
When the calendar flips to October, it’s not just the aroma of pumpkin spice lattes that gets everyone’s attention—Halloween’s spooky vibes are also in full swing. This year’s episode of Mediacorp’s web series Just Swipe Lah had host Juin Teh heading straight to the set of the upcoming horror dramas Leave No Soul Behind and Mr. Zhou’s Ghost Stories to scoop the latest gossip from local celebrities about their eerie on‑set experiences and filming rituals.
Meet the “Coffin” Queen: Felicia Chin
- Felicia Chin, beloved actress, had her first ever coffin‑lying scene in the new series.
- Tradition dictates a red packet (ang bao) to ward off bad luck—she received a $20 ang bao for the shoot.
- Juin admitted that the amount varies with the scene:
• 20¢ for cemetery shoots, $2 for funeral portraits.
At 36, Felicia admitted she felt a little shaken during the funeral setup, yet she called the coffin experience “one of a kind.” She noted that most people would never get a taste of what it’s like to lie in a coffin.
During that long stretch inside the coffin, the actress didn’t merely zone out. Instead, she used the quiet to reflect on her life and accomplishments:
“While I was lying there, I wondered, ‘If one day, something like that happens, what kind of life has I led? What have I achieved?’ Those thoughts just kept coming.” – Felicia Chin
A Haunt on the Side of Reality
Felicia also claims a paranormal encounter that sparked her curiosity. She recounted an early morning shift, about 6:30 a.m., when she stepped outside to see a neighbor’s kid wearing a white blanket over his head. She explains:
“Normally, I’d just check if the kid was okay. But seeing him like that made me question—could he be a ghost? That feeling : the uncertainty and wonder—I brought that chilling mood straight into the role.” – Felicia Chin
Stay tuned for more behind‑the‑scenes stories and make sure you enjoy your pumpkin spice latte while we keep the spookiness coming!
Other filming rituals that local showbiz observe
Behind the Scenes: Superstitions on the Film Set
Juin recently chatted with a handful of local celebrities to uncover the quirky rituals that the crew swears by during filming.
Ayden Sng’s Chili‑and‑Garlic Weather Prayer
According to Ayden Sng, the crew has a “mystical” weather‑sleuthing ritual that involves chili and a whole head of garlic. They pray for clear skies, and everyone claims it’s worked.
- One rainy day, the crew was filming when the rain started pouring.
- They immediately set up the chili‑garlic display, chanted a quick “du‑da‑du”, and—miraculously—the storm quit as soon as the last garlic stem was counted.
It’s part superstitions, part good traditional cooking practice, and definitely a fun way to keep spirits high.
Chantalle Ng’s Song Swap Surprise
While speaking with Chantalle Ng, Juin heard something that had her rolling her eyes. Instead of singing the beloved Hokkien classic “Cloudy Day,” the crew told her to belt out “Tai Yang Gong Gong” (Sun God Gets Up Early).
“Where did these superstitions come from?” Chantalle exclaimed. Unfortunately, the story took an even stranger turn. The crew might have been pulling a prank, and it turns out this was the first time she had heard of the dish‑related ritual. Still, the playful switch added an unexpected twist to the shoot.
Contact
Have questions or want to talk about the mysteries of the set? Drop a line to [email protected].
