Hence, it is not uncommon for models to branch out into other industries to make a name for themselves as well as secure a steady source of income.
As he makes his way into his restaurant at 45 Jalan Kamunting, it is clear that even at the age of 41, Alan Yun still has maintained his looks, style and charm, making him quite the darling with the fairer sex.
Yun is a familiar face, being a long-time brand ambassador for Pensonic the electrical appliances company.
In addition, film buffs will spot him in the late Yasmin Ahmad’s films Sepet, and its sequel, Gubra.
His acting career has also earned him spots on various television series; his hit song too, “Flying With Rhythm,” received a good amount of airtime.
Yet, as he explained to FMT, his career did not start off as a bed of roses.
Born the youngest of three sons and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Yun started looking for work as a youth because he wished to financially support his single mother.
His good looks allowed him to be a poster-boy for a few products, but offers were not always forthcoming.
“At that time, for a pure Chinese to penetrate the advertising industry was rather difficult,” says Yun. “Because of Malaysia’s diverse culture, agencies preferred to use pan-Asians. So, to compete with all these good-looking, sharp-featured talents was always a big task.”
He thought his big break had arrived when he received a call from his agent about a job.
Playing truant from St John’s Institution, he learnt that he was to act as a fireworks accident victim in an anti-fireworks campaign advertisement.
It was not a role he was particularly proud of at the time, and he denied his involvement in the advertisement whenever his schoolmates asked.
In a case of good luck and timing, Yun later decided to parade his catwalk skills during a talent show in Sungai Wang which resulted in him getting offers not only in KL, but also Singapore.
He says that his boldness and initiative helped push his career along. “Rather than trying all the casting calls and waiting at home for a call, I told myself to be more active rather than passive”.
His efforts paid off as he was given a lead role as a postman in a Rejoice shampoo commercial in 1997.
That commercial was directed by Yasmin Ahmad who saw that Yun had potential in acting.
She gave him a small role in Sepet and he made enough of an impression that she cast him in a lead role in the sequel, Gubra.
“She was very intelligent,” Yun says of Yasmin. “She taught me a lot of things.”
She gave him profound advice on how he ought not to do something solely for financial gain, but rather to fulfil his passion for it.
He was also encouraged by her to be genuine, sincere and to mean what he says, be it on or off screen.
His movie roles opened the door to television dramas and he can still be seen onscreen to this day.
Yun makes it no secret that he is a man of faith, saying that his belief in God kept him going on even in the most difficult times.
“Life has not been all smooth-sailing, but I thank God for that. Because if it was, I wouldn’t be here today telling you these stories. So, as I look back, things happened for a reason.”
“As we go through circumstances, we learn and mature. We use circumstances to mould ourselves. I thank God for being merciful. He made me what I am today – independent.”
When queried about his marriage to fellow model Emily Lim earlier this year, Yun revealed that when he first proposed to her, the former beauty queen turned him down.
Her reluctance to embark on wedded life stemmed from her own experience, coming from a single-parent household just like Yun.
“Both of us waited patiently and gave each other time to prove ourselves.”
The happy couple finally tied the knot on 19 January this year.
Yun has his hands somewhat full with his venture into F&B. with the opening of two restaurants namely Limapulo and the dual-concept restaurant of Woo Pin and Speak Vezy Bar.
It was neither easy nor inexpensive to get these establishments up and running, with his commitment to prior investments.
But Yun persevered, transitioning from a sleeping partner to being a hands-on operator.
Yun says, “My objective is to prolong and to preserve this dying culture and I guess it’s very meaningful if I can keep this culinary art.”
His restaurants are meant not only to be a bastion for local food culture, but also to offer diners an affordable gastronomical experience.
Yun aspires to be a good role model and inspiration for the younger generation.
“Believe in yourself,” he says. “Keep doing what you’re passionate about, cling onto it and one day, I’m sure you will shine. It’s just a matter of time.”