Chen Hanwei’s First Paycheck: From Lemon Tea to a Surprise Flight
Getting your first paycheck feels like a rite of passage—almost a treasure hunt for that first big splurge. For Singaporean actor Chen Hanwei, the money came from a 1988 Star Search win that snagged a contract with the old Singapore Broadcasting Corporation. The young star turned the paycheck into a memory‑making celebration, and it turned out to be more than just a vitamin‑C buzz.
The “Luxurious” Ice Lemon Tea
Imagine buying a single, cold cup of ice‑lemon‑tea in a bustling café in Penang and feeling like you’ve just snagged the Sistine Chapel. Chen says that’s exactly what he felt. Growing up in humble Dutch‑German‑sized Johor Bahru, the whole family could only afford a trip to Singapore’s Chinatown once a year. Saying “our four of us would share one cup” back in those days turned that simple drink into a symbol of everything they could share—no luxury for the family. Now, with his first salary, he finally treated himself to a crisp, indulgent cup of ice lemon tea. “It was a luxury for me and made me very content,” he recalled, brushing the office desk and the screen‑lit world to soak up the experience.
A Secret Ticket to the Skies
- Within a week, the money was doubled into a flight ticket from Senai Airport in Johor Bahru to the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
- Half an hour in the air might sound nothing, but for Chen it was the first time he ever strapped into a plane.
- He spent the trip smiling “through the window”, describing it as “indescribable” and a privilege.
It turns out he kept the flight a secret from his mother. “I was afraid she’d call it a waste of money,” Chen admits. How many parents would hear that and instantly shout back? But his mother, a miner of sacrifices back then, let him happily chase that untamed wish: this was one of those rare, wholesome “me first” moments the story will keep coming back to.
Why the Lemon Tea Was More Than a Drink
The lemon tea was one of many new things that turned Chen’s first “salary” into a celebration. It also showed how he cherished simplicity, love, and the difference between what he had as a kid and what he could finally treat himself for now—just a little bit, but really enough to think: “I grew up to this” and feeling the world brighten.
“Cracked Up With Humor”
From starting out humble, to a successful radio studio, and then even grabbing a plane with Chen, the journey is now on a conversational podcast named “Hear U Out” with host Quan Yi Fong, the veteran meWATCH media. All the conversations in the episodes help give that deeper truth behind the headlines—like an emotional interview that feels like any regular day with a teenage fan of the show. And the best part? It’s hilarious instead of boring, makes anyone crave a mouthful of orange‑juice‑colonized drinks after a trip for the next taste experience.
From humble beginnings to becoming a household name, it’s always great to hear how financial milestones spark personal milestones that deserve to be remembered. As we celebrate the fun moments that brightened our first paycheck, we’re reminded that owning our successes is a simple, priceless feeling. Once that first big check lands in your purse, go out and find your little moment!
