Whoever said Gen Zs have it easy is lying. It is a lazy narrative that ignores their messy, ugly entry into adulthood. How could it be easier than what came before? Granted, Millennials faced a recession that disrupted a linear career progression. But Gen Zs inherited a pandemic that forced the world to start over from scratch. Years of isolation disrupted the usual process of learning to navigate everything from work, relationships to independence, while also wiping out the social and professional milestones that once shaped how people grew up.

That loss extended into nightlife too, a social structure that had held for nearly a century, and one of the few spaces where people learnt how to be around one another outside of work or school. At the same time, everything they do is absorbed into content or profit, until life begins to feel dictated by the same pressures, on repeat. Add to that the shifting role of drugs like ketamine, the rise of appetite suppressants as a way to exert control, and platforms like OnlyFans becoming a real alternative to part-time work, and it becomes hard to argue that young people have things figured out when they are navigating a void where the old world used to be.

But risk cuts both ways. You could argue it was a strange kind of luck that they ran into something this disruptive. What emerged was one of the most defiant generations yet, shaped by a self-taught approach and the endless resources of the Internet. While you needed to go to school to obtain a certain skill, the new generation has given themselves a go at these lessons by themselves, regardless of wealth or academic advantages. 

Coupled with their relentless archival scavenging, a collision of legacy icons and the volatile tropes of the digital present, they have synthesised a technical literacy so dense and intense that they are the most lethal creative pool to ever emerge. 

So while they were initially dismissed as snowflakes — as has every generation that came before because it is a label often weaponised by an older guard unsettled by their hyper-attuned morals and aesthetic barometers — these teens have matured into a blueprint for the future. They achieved this by disregarding the performative modesty and the “play it safe” pragmatism long demanded by regional conservatism. When you look at this in the manicured, meritocracy-driven air of Singapore, and the rooted traditionalism of Malaysia, this defiance becomes a prerequisite for a legitimate movement.

Herein lie eight from Singapore and Malaysia who, like their peers, have outpaced the odds. They have hollowed out the status quo, mostly because they are not bothered to soften their own ambition. “Youth is the answer” may feel like a cynical slogan printed on a distressed T-shirt, but this demographic possesses an undeniable stake in the outcome. They have crucially committed to the world they are building as if it already exists. If they are already holding the blueprint to what comes next, the real question is whether the rest of us can even read it yet.

HARIZ, 28, Model

Modelling was not part of his life plans, but at the end of 2023, he quit his job and was casted. Currently getting ready for his placement in Seoul, South Korea. Currently watching 90 Day Fiancé. Calls it wacky. Saves shows to binge, even though he knows he is missing the real-time discourse. Spirit animal: a beluga whale. Thinks looksmaxxing is dangerous. Thinks personal style is flattening into sameness. “Everyone thinks they are different, but most people are not.” Spends days prepping for things in advance. He knows how easily people get shaped in this industry, and seems intent on getting there first. His dream brand to work with is Ludovic de Saint Sernin. Malaysia, he thinks, is still figuring out how to contribute something real. He talks about other people more than himself.

Interview Aqil Karlzafri

KORINE, 22, DJ

Leo Sun, Gemini Moon, Sagittarius Rising. Thinks Singapore had its time but is now “kind of boring,” though she hopes it will pick up again soon. Believes in circadian rhythms, but is never awake early enough. Sunsets over sunrises. Believes everything she does is political, though she thinks some people probably should keep their mouths shut. Recent favourite film: Secretary. Favourite record: Take Me Apart by Kelela. Public transport: yes, not for the environment but because it is convenient. Absolutely detests people who stand at the front of the dance floor and refuses to dance. Best crowd she ever played for was at a birthday-weekend party with Kavari, Kopi O, and another local act LCST. Her idea of a good party: good music and one good strobe light. Dream blunt rotation: Best friend Lance, Arca, and Madonna. Hates currency unfairness. Thoughts on men: “Men are cool, I guess, if they are hot.” Message for the dolls: “Where’s my Chanel?” Would like to call out anyone who has ever underestimated her because she is “too young.” Message for her haters: “s*** my d***.”

Interview Manfred Lu

AYANA, 25, Artist and content creator

Felt her nickname, CJ, short for Catherine Julianne, was a little too masculine, so it became Ayana. “When Filipino mothers yell at you, it turns into ‘Catherina Julianna,’ so the ‘-yana’ part kinda stuck with me.” On paper, she calls her relationship long-distance, but in reality, she had only been seeing her Malaysian boyfriend virtually for a month before he flew over to meet her. “I was like, ‘What if I fly back with you?’ and proceeded to follow him to KL.” Even for someone who moved constantly growing up — 14 school transfers in total — Malaysia felt starkly different from the Philippines. The hardest part about moving is missing her family. She says she struggles to latch on to things for long periods of time, and thrives on being impulsive. Favourite Filipino restaurant in KL: The Narra. Felt an immediate kinship with fellow Pinoy creator Eros when they spoke Tagalog together. Does not believe Gen-Z has no style. Thinks consumerism has forced people to chase trends too quickly, and too constantly. For her, fashion comes from function first. She is not precious with her things. The bag will sit on the floor. 

Interview LingJie Tuang

JACOB, 26, Footballer, almost a pilot

He played basketball in primary school, earning Best Player at an inter-school tournament. Stands at 186 cm. Half Singaporean, half Danish, his parents call him Jacob, pronounced “yah-kohb.” “I’m an Aries. A ‘vanilla’ Aries. I don’t know about the rest.” He’s an overthinker, but also highly organised. He considers peanut butter on banana bread an underrated snack. Matcha over coffee. His playlist moves between Drake and Lewis Capaldi. Best purchase of 2026: flight tickets to Osaka and Dubai for a June holiday. Best purchase of 2025: a Rolex. He’s most proud of scoring against China, and more recently, helping Singapore qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time. Not a fan of pineapple on pizza or leg day. Favourite TV show: How I Met Your Mother. Says “obviously” a little too often. Favourite compliment: “you smell good.” Daily fragrance: Imagination by Louis Vuitton. Dinner date fragrance: Oud Satin Mood by Maison Francis Kurkdjian. His ideal date is dinner at a good Japanese restaurant. “Again, I’m a vanilla guy.” Before a game, he needs a bowl of fish soup with rice. He always puts on his right boot first. 

Interview Charmaine Tan

HOJI, 22, Singer-songwriter

He does not think influencers should make music. “Leave it to us musicians who actually work hard to make good music,” he says. Best dating advice received? “Stop going from zero to a hundred so quickly.” Can you fault him for being a yearner? Besides being an anthem that empowers his sexuality, his song “Boys Boys Boys” also reflects the tough competition he faced during his time on the reality competition show Chuang Asia. “I kept thinking: I was so close to the industry with all these cameras around me — shouldn’t this make me super happy?” He no longer pursues anything he does not enjoy. Songwriting allows him to express unwieldy emotions because he gets to edit it as many times, leading to a narrative that feels true to him. He does not think every piece of music needs to be a cathartic process. “Life doesn’t have to be that serious.” Feels that AI music is “too much”, as it further dilutes the space where real artists navigate. A misconception about his generation? “That we’re too sensitive. It’s true, but it’s not a bad thing. We’re just more empathetic.” 

Interview LingJie Tuang

JERIEL, 21, Bassist and vocalist for the band Vegtable, a student, and represented by Upfront Models

This week, her screen time was 20 hours, and the last text she sent was to her bandmates about this photoshoot. She describes slowcore as “intentional, very depressing, and… Charlie Chaplin, IYKYK”. The last time she crashed out was the night before. “Love life, work life, and everything else in between.” The best gig she has attended so far was the Curb album launch at Scape. When asked if she has ever been injured in a moshpit, she says: “Yeah, during New Years. A guy wearing selvedge denim elbowed me in the face and my gums were bleeding all over. I had a casting the next morning too.” She, thankfully, has not been a victim of crowd killing. The venue with the best acoustics is PK Records, according to her. She does not believe in astrology. None of her friends are into astrology, either. Her go-to mamak order is Maggie Goreng Ayam with an Iced Milo. An underrated city: Kuala Lumpur. The name of the newest project by her band: “It’s an album titled, Hit By a Car.” 

Interview Dhani Salbini

LISA, 19. CHEF. Studied at Le Cordon Bleu

@sucx2bu is her TikTok account, where 277,900 followers watched her overshare her life during the pandemic. She does not like being chronically online, saying she feels more like herself when she is not constantly consuming content. Anti-situationship because she believes if something matters, it deserves definition. Calls her mother a “baddie” for passing down beauty tips. Dislikes the pressure to always have an opinion on everything and has little tolerance for forced friendliness. Loves baking, shopping, and texting her best friend Shyn, who she describes as having a softness that makes her easy to like. They think similarly, but balance each other in personality like yin and yang. Her Instagram suggests she is highly social. In reality, she keeps her circle to five. She collects statement buttons. Currently obsessed with anything nostalgic. A Taurus, born May 3, though she relates more to her Chinese zodiac, 2007 — Year of the Pig. Prefers staying in, sleeping, and keeping things slow. In ten years, she sees herself living in New York, running an Italian restaurant and serving the best version of her pesto pasta.

Interview Asha Farisha

MATTHIAS, 25, Creator within the collective RYOT.

Born and raised in Singapore. Hates that being young often means getting overlooked. Likes that being young also means being underestimated. Also hates when Singaporeans often think nothing will ever come from being underestimated. Also hates when Singaporeans often think nothing will ever come from Singapore. Likes that Singapore is still young, with the opportunity for creatives to be the first to do something great. Pet peeves: people who complain and whine. Thinks being kind is in, as is showing the process and having fun in the process. Thinks taking life too seriously after the pandemic is out. Also out: gatekeeping, working in silos, being defined by one label or niche, and complaining about a situation when you have the privilege to do something about it. Hates seafood. Also hates negative people. Favourite city in the world: New York. Least favourite city: anywhere in Vietnam. Likes the trend of people documenting their process and showing how they did something. Dislikes pretentious, unrelatable fit checks. Thinks we should pay attention to underdog stories, especially people openly declaring big ambitions and then being watched as they work towards them. Current thoughts on the state of the world: “generally s***, but difficult situations make it easier to see who is kind.”

Interview Manfred Lu

Editorial Director Izwan Abdullah

Photography (Malaysia) Joe Ng

Photography (Singapore) Zantz Han

Styling (Malaysia) Liew Hui Ying

Art Direction Danessa Tong

Grooming (Matthias, Jacob) Adelene Siow | Paletteinc using NARS
Grooming (Korine, Jeriel) Sim Ann Lin using CHANEL Beauty
Grooming (Hariz, Lisa, Ayana, Hoji) Angel 
Hair (Matthias, Jacob, Korine, Jeriel) Karol Soh | Paletteinc using REVLON PROFESSIONAL
Hair (Hariz, Lisa, Ayana, Hoji) Sylvester
Grooming Assistant Carolyn Lee

Photography Assistants Zachary Llewelyn

Styling Assistants Asha Farisha, Aqil Karlzafri, Dhani Salbini

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