‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ That is the infamous question that we’ve all been asked growing up. And there have probably been different sets of answers throughout our lives. But there is a good percentage of those who have shown deep loyalty towards their dreams.
Tan Jin Wei turns 25 this year, and he’s been performing illusions on stage since the age of 13. It all started when he saw Taiwanese magician Liu Qian perform his impressive tricks on television.
“It was 2012, I was just a kid watching TV when Liu Qian popped on the screen,” he said. “He was performing a rubber band trick, and it completely blew my mind. I was convinced then it must be magic.”
Tan’s interest in magic was almost instant, leading the then 13-year-old to perform his very first gig at his aunt’s party not long after. “It was probably four months after I started having an interest in illusions. It was my first performance and I did quite badly. But I guess everybody needs to start somewhere.”
During his early days honing his dexterity, Tan relied on his perseverance and observational skills. “I am self-taught. I would still tell people that today. But I will not deny that along the way, I was lucky to have met good friends and magicians who were willing to support and guide me.”
It’s no secret that the entertainment industry has evolved and the art of magic has seemingly lost its spark. So much so that this form of talent is now considered a smaller niche. Luckily for Tan, he stumbled into the right circle of friends and community. With this foundation to cover his back, Tan took the chance to improve his craft.
Today, he is part of a collective known as MadEntertainment. Through this Klang-based collective, Tan has perfected his sleight of hand, which became his ticket to the bigger stage.
He’s performed domestically and regionally including Singapore, Shanghai, Macau, and Hong Kong. “I would say the most pivotal moment in my career was back in 2019 when I got my Shanghai gig. That was my first international show,” he said.
“I’m very happy to say that I’ve had the privilege of performing in many major cities in Malaysia as well as international venues. It’s been a dream come true to travel and do what I love.”
Tan’s parents have supported his dreams of becoming a magician. Why? Simply because they didn’t see it coming. “I started young. During high school, I was already getting a lot of invitations to perform. So at the time, they probably thought it was one of my hobbies.”
“But I soon realised that I could make a career out of this. As time went by and things gradually fell into place, my passion as an illusionist became more apparent.”
Tan’s decade-long tenure in the field allows him to stand out from the crowd. Tan seemingly presents himself as a professional illusionist, ready to impress anyone with his mastery of skills.
He has mastered the basics and is very much capable of performing more complex illusions. While already successful in his line of work, Tan has big plans. This year alone, he aims to upscale and take on the world, showcasing his magic at international levels. And maybe, just like Liu Qian, someday he’ll inspire others to do the same.
WORDS Alison Loh PHOTOS Raja Mokhzairi
