Meet 'Chinepaiyen', the Chinese creator winning hearts with Tamil [WATCH]
“WE pride ourselves as a multicultural and multiracial country, but how come at that point in my life, I could not understand a word of Tamil?” It was a question that began to weigh on a young Blake Yap when, in secondary school, he found himself forming friendships with a new and more diverse circle of classmates.
![Meet 'Chinepaiyen', the Chinese creator winning hearts with Tamil [WATCH]](/img/1175850)
Blake Yap, known as Chinepaiyen, is a Chinese creator from Selangor who has gained popularity in Malaysia, Singapore, and India through his Tamil-inspired content. As a child, Yap's fascination with music videos from artists like Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys sparked his desire to entertain. In 2010, he entered a Digi competition with a parody of Lady Gaga's "Telephone," which reached the top 10 and gave him the confidence to pursue his creative interests.
During his secondary school years, Yap's social circle became more diverse, including Indian classmates who introduced him to Tamil culture. Curious about the language, he began learning Tamil through Kollywood films, music, and other forms of entertainment. This personal journey eventually led to his full-time career in content creation, producing music video parodies, comedy sketches, lifestyle vlogs, and other Tamil-inspired content.
Despite facing skepticism from some of his old friends and classmates, Yap remained committed to his passion. An unexpected milestone came when his video cover of Ethir Neechal caught the attention of composer and singer Anirudh Ravichander, validating his efforts and providing a "stamp of approval" to continue his creative pursuits. Today, Chinepaiyen boasts over two million followers on TikTok and has worked alongside South Indian superstar Nayanthara.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
