Marilyn, director of Lum Wen Kay Holdings and a doctoral student, turned 19 in the year 2000, which she recalls was a relatively happy time. “It was the dawn of a new millennium, and everyone was still buzzing from an epic NYE party,” she says. “I was very happy the Y2K bug didn’t turn out to be a catastrophic game changer! If I remember correctly, that was also the year USB flash drives were made available to consumers.”
On the other hand, turning 19 for Shaun, executive director of Kalms and a bonsai enthusiast, wasn’t something he particularly enjoyed. It was the year 2003, and he remembers it being “a tough period in Singapore. That was when there was an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars)…”
Favourite song/band/singer that year?
Marilyn: Daft Punk’s One More Time. Just a great tune! Music back then was still all about the Discman. I remember you had to really love the music you wanted – the inconvenience you had to go through back then versus what we have available now. I remember the trips down to Tower Records and having to queue up just to buy a CD. Definitely good memories though.
What was your life plan back then?
Marilyn: Getting my driver’s licence.
Shaun: I spent that year contemplating if I wanted to further my studies or enter the workforce.
Any advice for your teenage selves?
Marilyn: Eat as much carbs as you can; your high metabolism won’t last forever!
Shaun: Be more patient.
If you were to relive your teenage years, what would you change?
Marilyn: I wouldn’t change a thing.
Shaun: I agree. It has shaped us into who we are today.
Is there an item of clothing or accessory from that time that you still have today?
Marilyn: My first Cartier watch!
Art direction: Audrey Chan
Photography: Joel Low
Hair: Christvian Goh & Zoel Tee, using Revlon Professional
Make-up: Dily Wang & TG Goh, using Chanel Beauty; Keith Bryant Lee, using Dior Beauty; Greg-O, using Keune; Ann Lim
Photography assistance: Alfie Pan
