If you’ve ever seen Bian Lian, you’ll remember that first gasp from the crowd. One blink, and the performer’s face is no longer the same. Red turns to blue, calm becomes fury, and joy fades into something mysterious. It’s over in seconds, but it leaves you wondering how something can be so fast and feel so profound. This is face-changing opera, a tradition born in Sichuan, and it’s one of China’s most mesmerising cultural expressions. To most of us, it feels like an illusion.

Congratulations to Ong Zi Meng on his performance at the 33rd SEA Games! He wrapped up 2025 by finishing 5th overall among Southeast Asia’s top Wushu athletes with a combined score of 29.133. Competing on a major international stage, Zi Meng stepped up with focus and determination, giving his best in every routine and proving his ability at the highest level. Zi Meng opened the competition strongly in Changquan, scoring 9.753 to place third, before following up with another s