On Sunday (31 May), local video makers and Night Owl Cinematics (NOC) founders Ryan Tan and Sylvia Chan announced that the couple had filed for divorce in March.
However, they stated that they’ll continue to work together at NOC and that their work relationship doesn’t change.
The pair revealed in an almost 45-minute long video that their tendencies to forgo their personal and romantic lives for work contributed to the decision, which they “mutually agreed” to after a long time of deliberating.
Those who may be worried over their relationship will be relieved as they remain work partners and friends.
We summarise the main points of the video below, though be prepared for tissues if you’re going to watch it.
Ryan & Sylvia had been married for 10 years and are often seen as a “power couple”.
But they shared that their positions as work partners, as well as the fact that they got married at 22, changed the relationship over time.
For example, when they had to discuss personal matters, they wouldn’t have the space to do so without work getting in the way.
Instead, they’d “put commas” and they admitted that problems built up over time as they kept avoiding talking about their issues.
Also, because they were “lost” in their 20s, by the time they hit their 30s, they realised they’d hit on very different pathways in life, and the only way to reconcile that was to go their separate ways.
Ironically, according to them, they say they discuss personal matters more after their divorce as they say they’re no longer “pressured” by their obligations as a couple.
They also share that they’re taking turns to look after their dog, Porky, and that they now live separately.
However, they remain “Mummy” and “Daddy” to the staff at NOC. Some things just don’t change.
As Ryan and Sylvia shared their fondest memories of each other, this also prompted the audience to reminisce over the years they’d spent watching the pair in their videos.
Many have grown up watching NOC, and for fans, it’s hard to believe that they’re no longer married, or that they’re no longer a single entity.
Although some fans suspected that they’d separated for a while based on their videos and social media accounts, this is the first confirmation that they’ve given.
Many shared that they cried while watching the video in the comments. Although heartbroken, through the video they understand the reasons for their separation and hope that they’ll find happiness.
Fans also thanked the pair for teaching them that the end of a marriage doesn’t have to end badly.
Through the video, fans were reminded of why they supported Ryan and Sylvia over the years as role models — that they are able to talk about their divorce openly is a testament to this.
While the issue should ordinarily be kept between themselves, they felt they couldn’t avoid talking about the issue publicly.
This is a big undertaking they didn’t have to take, and they ask that the community gives them space and privacy regarding the matter.
They assured fans that nothing will change due to the divorce — although they’re no longer together, Sylvia believes that the relationship will be stronger than before.
We wish both of them the best moving forward.
Featured image adapted from YouTube.
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