Former actor and singer-songwriter Nat Ho has achieved a new milestone in his music career.
The 40-year-old Singaporean, who moved to Seoul in 2022 to pursue his music aspirations, has signed on as an exclusive songwriter with one of the biggest players in the recording industry – Warner Chappell Music Korea.
In an Instagram post on April 1 announcing the news, Ho, who started out as one of thetop 30 contestants in the inaugural season of Singapore Idol in 2004, said: “The craft of a songwriter is a solitary one – especially when you’re establishing yourself. Not just in a new industry, but also in a new country.”
He added: “The solitude cuts deeper when you’re met with rejection after rejection, but it’s all part of earning your stripes in this industry. I always told myself, every rejection is a chance to grow. Every ‘no’ is one step closer to that ‘yes’.”
In a follow-up interview with Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao published on April 13, Ho said he was thrilled to bag a contract with Warner Music. He was previously working independently as a freelance songwriter.
“To work with a global brand like Warner means I won’t have to limit myself to South Korea. There’s a chance for my music to go global. I can also expand my network and contacts, and enjoy more administrative protection and support,” he said.
During his time in South Korea, Ho co-wrote the song With You (2023), performed by South Korean singer Luce. It is part of the original soundtrack of coming-of-age K-drama Sing My Crush (2023).
Ho previously starred in home-grown television series such as the long-form English-language drama Tanglin (2015 to 2018) and Channel 8 series The Dream-Catchers(2009). But music, Ho said, is his “first love”.
“I have to consider my future, and I thought it would be nice to have royalties coming in that can take care of me in my old age. So, I want to work hard now. If I’m only acting in Singapore, I probably wouldn’t have royalties to support me as I age. And I don’t want to work till I’m old,” he said.
He added that while many people have congratulated him on “making it” after signing an exclusive contract, it is just the beginning of a journey.
“I think it means a lot that they signed me – that means they have confidence in me and want to work with and support me. What really makes me feel at ease with this team is that it not only wants my works, but it also wants to help me develop creatively,” he said.
Ho added that he felt he landed the contract due to the “law of attraction”. He said that when he was renewing his work visa at the end of December 2024, he had decided he would sign with a major company in 2025. He was then approached by a producer friend who works at Warner Chappell Music Korea, who linked him up with the label.
“I believe that when you make a decision, the universe comes together to help you achieve what you want,” Ho said.
Coincidentally, a member of the Warner Chappell team had worked on Unleashed, a mini-album released by Ho in 2012, and remembered him.
The encounter felt serendipitous to Ho, who recalled: “Every member of the Asia-Pacific team from Warner Chappell I saw in an online meeting came from places I’ve lived in previously – Singapore, Taiwan, the United States and South Korea.” Jan Lee
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