Singer Ah Niu reveals millions in debt and mortgaged property for directorial dream

Malaysian singer Ah Niu, known for his hit song "Look at the Girl Opposite Me," recently shared his challenging journey from stardom to personal debt. In an interview promoting his new album, Ah Niu recounted the immense pressure he faced while writing, directing, and starring in his first film, "The First Love Red Bean Ice." The film, which aimed to capture Malaysian sentiment, required him to invest all his savings and even mortgage his house, leading to a debt of over 1.9 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately 7.7 million Taiwan dollars).

Ah Niu admitted to seeking help from the film crew when he couldn't pay their salaries, saying, "I'm sorry, I don't have money, please help me, I'll pay you back with my singing earnings later." This dedication deeply moved his friends and colleagues, who offered their support to help complete the project.

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I'm sorry, I don't have money, please help me, I'll pay you back with my singing earnings later.

Despite the film's release in 2010 and initial hopes for success, its box office performance in Hong Kong and Malaysia was not as strong as anticipated. Ah Niu described going through a period of being heavily in debt, owing enough to buy three cars. However, he remains grateful for the unwavering support from his friends and family throughout this difficult time.

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I owe the money, which is almost enough to buy 3 cars.