They get the best of both countries

TNP PICTURE: BENJAMIN SEETOR

For many celebrities, a lack of privacy is often the price of fame. But what if you could be famous and still walk around your home country without being followed by fans and paparazzi?

The girls from Japanese anisong idol group Sea*A are living just that dream. Made up of Singaporeans Estelle Lim, 20; Beryl Teo and Valerie Tang, both 21, and Malaysian Wynnie Teoh, 21, the group, which was formed two years ago, have since broken into the J-pop market.

In Japan, they have an entourage that follows them wherever they go and hundreds of fans who line up to meet them at events. But back in Singapore, where they are based, they get to spend time with their friends and family in public places and enjoy being “normal”.