In Perfect Unison

23 August 2011,
With undeniable vocal ability, Ling Jia Jun’s music has become a familiar sound on international radio stations. Gaining wave and gearing up to release a new album, it’s a wonder how he gets so much work done – all in the comfort of his home – where his family and work strike a perfect balance.

Just an eye shot miss of making the Top 8 on ASTRO Star Quest (2008) didn’t stop Ling Jia Jun from being recognized as a force to be reckoned with. Record companies caught onto his talents and quickly signed him into contract following the show. And Ling Jia Jun lives up to expectations: His debut single, “Three Words,” showcase much of his creativity and reason for fame.

What feeling does a home give you?
Home is a place where I can do anything and be anything. It is a stress-free environment in which family can be together. It’s a sanctuary – a place where I can retreat when things are difficult, and recharge. My family’s very close to one another, so naturally, my feeling of “home” is happiness.

Who are you currently living with?
Right now at home are my parents, my second brother and his wife, and a small dog. My eldest brother moved out after he got married, but they frequently come back for long stays – between three to five days. My little sister is studying overseas, so she’ll only come home during extended holidays.

What is your home’s décor like?
Our home furnishing was decided by all of us. My father’s very into ancient Chinese style, so a majority of our furniture are wood-based to compliment that era; the wooden effect also creates an ambience of warmth and elegance, while giving off a tinge of authentic Oriental feel. All the bedrooms are personalized by the occupants – my brothers, sister and I all designed our own room – respecting that each one of us has a different flair. There’s nothing special about my room, except maybe that all my furniture are conveniently positioned – I make full use of every inch.

My room also houses my piano, electric piano and other instruments, allowing me easy access whenever I feel inspired to play. In addition to all the standard rooms, our home also has a KTV room; however, it lacked a proper sound system so we’ve converted it into a home theatre for entertaining instead. But even with this room available, I still prefer my family to gather in the living room for movies – I feel the living room is cozier.

In a sense, our house can be regarded as a modern but old environment – classy and rich, but not in a boastful sort of way. No matter the house, it is still the people that make a home.

Do you usually stay home? How do you occupy your time?
I consider myself a home-body. I do most of my work at home, which includes song composition, lyrical writing, etc. When I’m not working, I’d still rather be indoor reading, surfing the web, playing with my dog or just chatting with family. These little things can quickly take up the whole of my day. Besides some outdoor activities, I also enjoy taking my dog out for a run in the garden – it’s a smart way to get in some exercise.

Where’s the most comfortable place in the house?
The most comfortable place in my house, of course, is my room. My bed to be more specific! Aside from just sleeping, I spend most of my time in my room. I do everything in my room – from writing, Internet browsing, reading books to writing songs and singing KTV. A little secret: my room is soundproof. I can be as loud as I want while the rest of the family sleeps, and not have to worry about waking them up. Haha!

What’s the source of your inspiration?
Inspiration comes to me from anywhere. I can be reading and be inspired. I can be watching movies and be inspired. I can be playing with my dog and be inspired. The words: iN Design Creative Home, can also be a source of inspiration to me.

Do you have the habit of cooking?
Haha! No! I’m not a cook. My family’s three-meals-a-day is single-handedly prepared by my mother. When my mom doesn’t cook, we all go out to eat. If my parents are abroad, my brother and sister-in-law will go out for a romantic dinner. I, on the other hand, will either find a friend to eat out with, call McDonald’s delivery, cook instant noodles, or, if worse comes to worst, eat fried eggs. I like my mom’s cooking, especially when she makes pork with potatoes. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water.

Any thoughts of buying a house?
Of course I have thoughts! How could I not? But now is not the right time, especially with the high price tag on most properties nowadays. However, I would like to own my first home within the next three years, maybe. Anyway, it’s not like I’m being thrown out of my house anytime soon.

What’s your dream house like?
I want a double-story house. The property doesn’t need to be big, around 3-4 rooms would be perfect. I prefer modern design concepts, with bright colors and simple furnishings. The living area must be spacious and flat. A state-of-the-art sound system is also very important, so I can enjoy watching my favorite T.V. shows in comfort. Not only, I also want big windows – ones that overlook my entire garden. If I need privacy, I can just easily close the shades or curtains.

Right now, my bedroom is also my workspace. So, when I have my own home, I will have a separate work room, a studio of some sort. I’ll replace the extra space in my bedroom with a very large mattress and a walk-in closet. In addition, my bathroom must be matted with an equally comprehensive sound system. I really enjoy belting out a tune or two when getting ready to go out. Lastly, I’ll be bringing my son (dog) with me to the new home. He can keep me company.

And about your new album?
The sound of the album will follow in the same direction as “Three Words” – the new compositions can be classified in the same genre. I personally wrote a majority of the songs and I’ve even broken out of my shell a bit by exploring canto-pop. I’m hoping my fans will enjoy seeing a different side of me and my music.

Special thanks to Lifestyle Sense Solution (M) Sdn Bhd location sponsorship.
Sense Solution
Lifestyle Sense Solution provides consumers with the most advanced audio-visual systems, products and solutions. The company offers a wide-range of sound systems – from automated small-scale home theatre, business lecture halls to large theatres – and the most interactive audio-visual systems to suit homes or offices of every market needs.