Busking Chase

Bryan Ong - Punggol MRT station - 1 May 2025

I look left, look right, look left, look right. Is this a location considered too far?

WJ Teng

— 3 min read
Bryan Ong - Punggol MRT station - 1 May 2025
Bryan Ong busking at Punggol MRT station on 1 May 2025.

We are now headed to the second new busking location of the day, with Bryan Ong as the first busker at Punggol MRT station (NE17/PTC) - and as you all know, Punggol was a terminus station for the North East Line, until the line extended further north, to Punggol Coast, earlier in end-2024. It is also an interchange station with the Punggol LRT. This busking location is located next to Waterway Point (Exits A / B), with the bus interchange (Exit C) located at the other end of the station.

Speaking of which, the first day of the new busking locations coincided with the final day of campaigning of the General Elections, and especially with Punggol being a newly-formed constituency and an election hotspot (it's the People's Action Party team helmed by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong facing the Workers' Party team led by lawyer Harpreet Singh there), the atmosphere outside the station is especially hot, with party volunteers going all out to canvass votes. As I later found out, the WP also spoke to the media at a doorstop interview right at the other end, near the bus interchange. (The PAP eventually won the constituency.) But I don't wanna go too much of the political hustings - I just wanna focus on the inside.

Speaking of Bryan (who was also the first busker to perform at HarbourFront MRT station), he was featured in PAP's Sengkang GRC candidate Theodora Lai's Instagram reel, where he shared his singing and busking journey, as well as his opinions as to how to support youth and arts education. In the age of social media, it has become imperative for politicians to engage with the public, especially younger generations (who would be more active online) - this is to allow politicians to build trust by appearing more authentic and relatable. It also allows these young people to feel more represented and heard when it comes to policy-making.

The two songs selected from this busking performance are:

  • Story of My Life (originally performed by One Direction)
    • This song is from the British boyband's album Midnight Memories, which signifies a tumultuous relationship leading to lament and heartbreak.
  • 乌梅子酱 [originally performed by Li Ronghao (李荣浩)]
    • The inspiration behind this romantic song comes from the time when Li tried Cantonese roast goose dipped in plum sauce, and composed the song based on its sweet and sour taste.

Story of My Life (originally performed by One Direction)

0:00
/1:30

乌梅子酱 [originally performed by Li Ronghao (李荣浩)]

0:00
/1:13
0:00
/0:19
Bryan's busking schedule

UPDATE: The photos/videos were taken in May 2025. From 1 February 2026, this busking location will be temporarily closed until further notice. In the meantime, you can check out more busking performances at alternative locations:

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