For the first part of the project, we were tasked to list out 5 characters whom we have a special affinity with from across three different categories – literature or fiction/public figures/people we know or met. It can be qualities that we find similar with the identified characters or qualities that we admire and aspire to have. And so I realised my affinity with most of the characters identified are mostly on the quality of being an introvert…
Here’s mine:
CHARACTERS FROM LITERATURE/FICTION
- Piglet from Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
- Go Dok Mi from Flower Boy Next Door
- Charlie from Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Dara Morgendoffer from Daria
- 8th Prince from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
PUBLIC FIGURES
- Emma Watson – actress
- Audrey Hepburn – actress
- Oon Shu An – actress/influencer
- Mark Zuckerberg – co-founder of Facebook
- iNCH (Inch Chua) – musician
PEOPLE YOU KNOW/HAVE KNOWN/MET IN PERSON
- Sandra Riley Tang – musician
- Nathan Hartono – musician
- Bernadette – friend
- Hsien Wei – cousin
- Abigail – cousin
Top 2 in each list & my affinity with the character
LITERATURE/FICTION
Piglet from Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
Piglet’s known to be a small and timid character who braves up when when faced with a crisis and given sufficient encouragement from his friends. These were traits of him that I identified myself to have an affinity with. I’m petite sized and I guess more often than not I’ll brave up and step up taking the role as a leader when the situation calls for it. If not most of the time I’ll just stay in my little bubble and shy away.
Go Dok Mi from Flower Boy Next Door
The character in this show acted by Park Shin Hye is an introvert who refuses to leave her apartment. She hides from the world and dislikes interacting with people. I identified ‘the apartment’ as her comfort zone and her character I dare say is pretty much me 70% of the time. I see her in me after hanging out at gatherings and taking part in socialising activities, drained.
PUBLIC FIGURE
Emma Watson
One of my all time favourite actresses and probably one I’m slightly more biased to too because we somewhat share a bit of the same name. Her full name is actually Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson. That aside, I was surprised to have chanced upon interviews of her revealing that she’s actually quite an introvert behind the confident and feminist image she exudes. (read: http://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2014/02/the-bloom-of-the-wallflower-by-derek-blasberg/) The introvert quality is an aspect of hers I can relate to, being socially awkward at parties and all and her confidence is definitely something I look up to.
Audrey Hepburn
The classic actress. It’s hard to believe especially when these public figures are actresses and constantly under the public eye, taking interviews and appearing on shows. Especially with the characters Audrey Hepburn played. She was quoted: “I have to be alone very often. I’d be perfectly happy if I spent Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.” Which is totally me, introverts tend to take time spent with themselves as time to recharge.
PEOPLE I KNOW/HAVE KNOWN
Sandra Riley Tang
A member of local band, The Sam Willows. I’ve interviewed her before for an assignment and through interviews, I’ve got the impression that she’s really quite a talent. She ran her own art collective previously, co-founded a home concept yoga studio, makes music dabbles in acting… She’s also an individual who is extremely driven and motivated to pursue the things she love and she never stops trying, something I find an affinity with in the aspect of my passion. Plus she loves doing hands-on DIY stuff too.
Nathan Hartono
Another local musician I’ve interviewed for an assignment too back in poly days. Through the interviews done with him, I’ve learnt that he’s a learnt extrovert but introvert by nature because of his profession as a musician. He has to perform in front of crowds and mingle with people. And I guess because of that he believes in throwing yourself into situations you fear most and to take on what you think might be impossible to achieve will only make you stronger and you might just surprise yourself along the way. #inspiration
