Pretty Words, Damaged Lines: K-pop and Anime-inspired Writing

Cleo Cheng and Lynette Teo (Singapore)

9 Mar 2026, Mon, 6.45pm & 7.45pm

30mins

(Intermission: None)

Esplanade Concourse

Free

Synopsis

Pretty Words, Damaged Lines: K-pop and Anime-inspired Writing is a dialogue about falling for beautiful things. Featuring writers Cleo Cheng and Lynette Teo, this session digs into the pull of K-pop idols and anime heartthrobs—and how their polish, intensity, and carefully curated mystique are reshaping romantic fiction and poetry. What makes these new age muses so addictive? Is it their polished persona, the vulnerability beneath the glamour, or the inescapable darkness of the human soul? Together, Cleo and Lynette unpack fan cultures, fantasies, and emotional stakes that power these stories, and how that electricity is translated onto the page. Come for the swoon, stay for the craft: this is a deep dive into writing about desire, beauty, and boys you can’t quite forget.

Language: English

Things to Note:

Accessibility: All our venues are wheelchair-accessible. We offer various services to support patrons with access needs. For assistance, please contact Esplanade Customer Experience at 6828 8377. To learn more, read our accessibility guide.

Artist Information

Cleo Cheng

Website | Instagram

Cleo Cheng is the pseudonym of Cheryl Teh, a media professional at a news agency headquartered in New York City. She is a Golden Point Award–winning author of the poetry collection american/dream. She has also released bite, a collection of microfiction, and mirror monster dagger doom, a Straits Times bestselling short story fantasy collection.

Cheng has curated several anthologies of Asian creatives, including Other Worlds, Good Girls Bad Ends, and What We Burn For.

Look forward to a forthcoming collection of poetry and photography, I Am Still Learning How To Be Here, created in collaboration with Cheng’s creative partner, Hope W. Chen.

Lynette Teo

Instagram

Lynette Teo is a writer of science fiction and fantasywith short stories published in anthologies in Singapore and the UK, including Good Girls Bad Ends (2023).

They have published three poetry collections Away From Fairies (2022), Koi (2023), and I’m Going to Die Alone (2025). Their Straits Times bestselling debut drama/suspense novella, Killing Part, was published in January 2026.

Add to calendar

Date & Time

9 Mar 2026, Mon

6.45pm

Esplanade Concourse

7.45pm

Esplanade Concourse

ESPLANADE&ME

Become a member

Three membership cards depicting each membership tier, Discover, White and Black.

Great arts experiences begin with Esplanade&Me. Join this membership to enjoy ticket specials on shows at Esplanade, early bird specials, promotions at Esplanade Mall, unlimited access to Offstage and more.