10 Facts About Crazy Rich Asians’ Kevin Kwan NS Default That’s Overshadowing the Movie

The hype for Crazy Rich Asians, one of the most anticipated movies (if not the most anticipated movie) in Singapore this year, is expected: after all, other than the fact that it’s a high-budget Hollywood movie set in Singapore, it features an all-Asian cast – something that has not been done since 1993.

Singaporeans are excited to see the likes of Fiona Xie, Pierre Png and the fresh-from-Star-Trek-Discovery Michelle Yeoh on the big screen. Unlike most films, the movie is released on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday, a sign that it’s not just another Mission: Impossible or The Lord of the Rings.

But yesterday, the movie got into the headlines for all the wrong reason: all of a sudden, everyone is interested in Kevin Kwan, the writer of the bestselling book that it’s based on.

Here are ten facts you’re dying to know because you’re a Singaporean, and you busybody.

About Crazy Rich Asians

For a start, let’s look at the movie: other than it featuring an all-Asian cast and having its setting right here in Singapore, it has performed well in the box office in the US. Released on 15 August 2018 over in the US, the projected five-day opening weekend box office is at $18 million to $20 million: but it surpassed that with an estimated box office of $26 million to $30 million. As of now, its box office is at $45.1 million—with a production budget of $30 million.

Yeah, in other words, it’s a huge success financially.

The ratings in Rotten Tomatoes, a website that curates reliable reviews, also rates it at 93% approval: that’s very good, considering that the previous all-Asian cast movie The Joy Luck Club is at 85% approval.

With its results, Warner Bros is now “moving forward with development” with a sequel, though it’s unknown whether the sequel would follow the book’s sequel, China Rich Girlfriend. It’ll most likely be directed by the same director, Jon M Chu, who also sat on the hot seat for Now You See Me 2.

About Kevin Kwan

Let’s face it: before this happened, we’ve no idea who Kevin Kwan is. Our vague (and wrong) memory is that he’s a Singaporean who lives in America.

Turns out that the author of the bestselling novel, a 44-year-old American who made it to Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people, has left Singapore since he was 11.

The Asian has a great-grandfather who’s a founding director of OCBC, and his grandfather was knighted for his philanthropic efforts. He studied in Anglo-Chinese School before moving to the US when he was 11.

Over in the US, he got a BA in Media Studies from University of Houston-Clear Lake and allegedly  started his own creative studio in 2000.

But of course, any Singaporean would know that something is amiss.

Why It Happened

Well, nothing would have happened (or to be specific, nothing would have been reported) if not the red carpet event for the movie at Capitol Plaza on Tuesday night.

You see, with so many Singaporeans or Singapore PRs involved in the movie (300 of them!), people were expecting to catch a glimpse of the man who made it all happen. However, his glaring absence was noticed and soon, it’s revealed that he’s “wanted” by Mindef.

Well, to put it loosely, we all are: they want me to go back to camp every year as well.

But Kevin Kwan isn’t wanted for reservist: he’s wanted because he didn’t serve his mandatory two-year NS.

Enlistment Act

Everyone knows that every male Singaporean needs to serve two years of NS: there’s no question about it.

Male Singaporeans, once they turn 13, are required to apply for an exit permit if they are going to leave the country or remain outside Singapore for three months or longer.

If they need to remain outside Singapore for more than two years, the parents or guardians have to pay a bond of $75,000 or half their combined annual income, whichever is higher (just ask Ben Davis, yo).

Once they’re 17, they would be asked to register for NS.

Now, this is very tricky: Singaporeans are only allowed to renounce their citizenship at 21 years old and must have acquired citizenship in another country.

However, if he is subject to the Enlistment Act (Cap. 93), he would need to

• discharged his liability for full-time service under section 12 of that Act;
• rendered at least 3 years of operationally ready national service under section 13 of that Act in lieu of such full-time service; or
• complied with such conditions as may be determined by the Government.

Oh yea, cheem. Laymen like us who just serve won’t need to mind this.

Why Kevin Kwan was affected

Simply put, here’s Mindef’s statement:

“Mr Kevin Kwan failed to register for National Service (NS) in 1990, despite notices and letters sent to his overseas address. He also stayed overseas without a valid exit permit. Mr Kwan is therefore wanted for defaulting on his NS obligations. In 1994, his application and subsequent appeal to renounce his Singapore citizenship without serving NS were rejected. Mr Kwan has committed offences under the Enlistment Act, and is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years upon conviction.”

If information online is reliable, Kevin Kwan did not register for NS when he was 16/17 and had stayed overseas without an exit permit. He had his application and appeal when he was 20/21.

Not sure what’s your first thought, but mine is this: When Ah Gong calls, just go and don’t think.

Singaporeans’ reaction

There are two schools of thoughts: one group thinks that he’s bringing honour to Singapore despite him not wearing green or blue before….

…and another group that’s condemning the movie.

Cast’s reaction

Kevin Kwan also serves as the executive producer of the film, so he’s not just someone who sell the rights of the film and take money shake leg.

Most, if not all, the cast members look at this as a private matter and it should not affect the movie in any way. Like what acclaimed Singaporean actress Tan Kheng Hua said, “…the delightful movie adaptation…and MINDEF are two completely separate things and should be treated as such.”

Got into International News Media Outlets

With the film success globally, you can international media to write about it.

BBC is pretty lenient on its headline…

…while Quartz made it sound like his next stop is in a prison.

Whatever it is, it sure has created a buzz everywhere. Any publicity is good publicity, no?

Why it’s a hoo-ha

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you would have heard of Ben Davis.

Ben Davis had wanted to defer his NS so as to play professional football in England, but his deference was rejected. With this news still fresh in people’s mind, you can expect Kevin Kwan’s NS status to be the topic of every coffeeshop chat.

Guess Mindef must have been busy coming out with statements after statements this month.

Weird responses That Keep Netizens Talking

In a Straits Times interview last year, it’s mentioned that Kevin Kwan “does not often return to Singapore, although when he does, he goes in search of a good wanton mee, which he says is impossible to find in New York.”

Of course, people are confused over the “when he does”: did he or did he not come back? Or maybe it was before NS came knocking on his door?

Whatever it is, at least we know New York has no good wanton mee.