SG Dad Of Two Traded A Stable 9-5 For Juggling On The Streets: “I Started With Oranges At CNY”

Before ‘H the Juggler’ became a street performer, he was a typical corporate man in Singapore. We caught up with H, who shares about his switch from juggling spreadsheets to juggling spinning balls and clubs, as well as his journey as a proud dad of two.

Imagine being a father of two in Singapore and deciding to leave a very stable corporate career to pursue your passion. Not in some quiet office or behind a desk, but out on the streets! And by passion, we mean juggling. At 39, H, The Juggler (@singaporejuggler) turned what some might see as a risky move into a life of fulfilment while doing what he loves. Today, H, whose real name is Wee Toon Hee, showcases his juggling and magic skills all over Singapore–on the streets, at birthday parties, private events, schools and even neighbourhood events. Watching him in action means seeing him balance on a pivoting plank, juggle five balls or pins and perform thrilling magic tricks that leave his audience completely awestruck.

We managed to squeeze in an interview despite H’s jam-packed schedule, and got to learn more about how he discovered his love for juggling, what inspired him to take the leap and more. We also got a peek into his journey as a father, and how his family life is both on and off the streets.

What first drew you to juggling? Was it a childhood dream, or did it come later in life?
When I was a young teenager, visiting relatives during Chinese New Year could get pretty boring, especially since some visits lasted hours. With so many oranges around, I figured, why not juggle them? That’s really how it all started! Three-ball juggling came naturally to me. I don’t even remember exactly when I first picked it up.

Then, in my 30s, I came across a juggling book at MPH Bookstore. It wasn’t just any beginner’s guide to juggling; it even came with a three-club set and taught more advanced moves. Club juggling is trickier than ball juggling because it involves both launching and spinning the items—two actions in one—so it was quite the challenge to master the skill!

What was your corporate job before you went into busking?
I had quite a few roles before making the leap: six years as a cabin crew with Singapore Airlines, four years as a Project Executive with a big brand-activating company and three years as a Marketing Executive with an International Shipping Line.

Quitting a corporate job to become a busker is a bold move! How did your family react?
My wife has always believed in me. She knew I’d done my research and understood that busking was a niche industry back then, so she gave me her full support. My kids? They were too young to resist! (Laughs)

Were there any fears about taking the leap, knowing you had to support your family?
Not really. I’ve always been careful with my spending and made sure to save for rainy days. By the time I left the corporate world, I felt ready to face any unforeseen challenges. So no, no fears about taking the leap!

What were some of the biggest hurdles when you first started busking?
Back in the 90s and early 2000s, busking in Singapore was often associated with begging. There were even newspaper articles about it. So one of my biggest challenges was overcoming that perception. At one point, I was worrying about what friends, family and ex-colleagues might think. On a personal level, I knew I had to be really good at my skills and storytelling to avoid embarrassment, which meant putting in hours of practice every day. I would say that energy management was a huge hurdle!

Have you met any memorable audience members while busking?
Yes! Our former Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong! One Christmas season, a show I did just before the COVID lockdown outside Wisma Atria, a foreign audience member asked if I was aware that “Your prime minister was watching your show from behind.” I didn’t believe it until she showed me a video, and there he was! I’ve also performed for our former Ambassador-at-Large, Mr Tommy Koh, with his grandchildren.

Any particularly funny, heartwarming, or surprising audience reactions?
Absolutely. As you may know, one of the finales of my show is a balancing act on a two-level plank that pivots on a rolling pipe while juggling—a real, dangerous stunt. Late one night, after a long day of shows, I was so exhausted that I actually fell during the act! The audience was shocked, of course, but when I picked myself up, I saw a one-thousand-dollar bill in my token box! At first, I thought it was Japanese yen, but nope. Encik Yusof Ishak himself was staring back at me.

Tell us about your family!
My wife is a bilingual tour guide, fluent in English and Thai (she learned Thai while working at the Thai Embassy for seven years). We have two amazing boys, 22 and 19. The elder one is academically brilliant, earned straight A’s throughout school, and is incredibly resourceful. The younger one is a natural in music. Drums, in particular, are like second nature to him. They’re both still pursuing their studies.

What does a typical day look like in your household? How do you balance rehearsals, performances and family time?
Our life is non-routine. Some days we work all day, other days we’re free. I don’t really “balance” practice and family time. I take each day as it comes, dedicating as much time as I can to rehearsals. My discipline is to practice for at least an hour daily, even on busy days.

What’s a day at home like when you’re not performing?
Fun fact: We don’t really watch TV. Our set collects plenty of dust! Instead, we make a point of having meals together whenever we can, whether for lunch or dinner.

Do your children share your love for juggling or performing? Any funny stories?
Ironically, no! And I never imposed it on them. They’ve always had their own talents. Believe it or not, they’ve never touched any of my juggling props, let alone tried juggling themselves!

Has your family ever joined you for a busking session? How do your kids react?
Yes, countless times, especially when they were younger. At first, they were thrilled, but now they’re kind of immune to my skills!

How does your family support you in this unconventional career?
They help with promoting my shows on social media. Psst, seeing me become more well-known gives them a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment!

What have you learned about fatherhood through juggling and busking?
Juggling is hard, and busking is bold. I didn’t expect my boys to learn that excelling in life requires hard work and courage, but they did. My elder one applies it in academics, my younger one in music.

What kind of dad do you hope your kids remember you as?
Disciplined. Determined. Dreamy.

What advice would you give other parents considering a career change or pursuing a passion while supporting their family?
Set up a safety net first. Make sure you have at least two years of savings before taking the leap.

What’s next for you? Any projects in the pipeline?
Busking’s novelty is wearing thin, so I’m having my boys help boost advertising for shows at events like birthday parties, carnivals and corporate functions. I’ll still keep busking, but I’ll continue adding new acts to freshen up my performances.