In the world of competitive entertainment, victories can come with unexpected challenges.

Jona Chung, the second runner-up of Star Search 2024, is feeling the financial sting of his hard-won achievement. The 25-year-old Singapore Permanent Resident, originally from Taiwan, has proven he's not only a talented private swim coach but also a fierce competitor with a distinctive charisma. Standing tall at 1.87 meters, Jona exuded the type of confidence that makes one a likely candidate for class president.

Despite his unwavering determination, Jona has come to realize that being third in a competition is not quite the triumph he aspired for.

In a candid post-finale conversation with 8 Days, he admitted his disappointment, expressing that his goal was always to secure the first place. "I’m grateful to be in the Top 3, but, of course, I wanted to win," he stated, reflecting on the bittersweet nature of his placement.

However, he held no ill feelings towards the finalists who surpassed him.

Champion Tiffany Ho and first runner-up Gladys Bay performed exceptionally well, and Jona remarked, "Their victories were well deserved.” Yet, he couldn't shake off the feeling that nerves had cost him during the eloquence segment, a crucial moment where he felt his performance faltered.

Interestingly, Jona’s bilingualism in Mandarin and English is one of his strongest assets.

He had struggled with the Chinese language growing up but honed his skills after moving back to Taiwan at the age of 14. Reflecting on his early days, he humorously recalled, "My standard of Chinese was terrible. I couldn't even write my name in Traditional Chinese!"

As the conversation shifted to the implications of his recent placing, the realities hit hard.

Jona won a car as part of his prize but quickly realized that he couldn't afford the S$90,000 Certificate of Entitlement (COE) necessary to register it. "I can’t even afford to survive right now. The COE is quite a huge amount of money," he lamented.

His sisters provided him with financial support throughout the competition.

This support allowed him to focus entirely on his training and performances. "It’s tough to ask for help, but my sisters readily offered their assistance," Jona shared, showing gratitude for his family's sacrifices. Even though they offered to help with the COE, Jona wasn't inclined to prioritize acquiring a car at this moment, saying, "I’m okay without a car; it’s not my priority right now."

The youngest in a family of sisters, he humorously mentioned being somewhat of a doll in his childhood.

His sisters doted on him. Despite the expenses, Jona cherishes their close bond, understanding that family support doesn't come with strings attached. "If the roles were reversed, I would support them too without expecting anything in return," he added.

Beyond his immediate challenges, Jona reflected on his roots.

Born in Singapore but having lived in Taiwan, he feels an equally strong connection to both places. Now, he hopes to revive his acting career, having made a brief appearance in a production written by his mother years ago—a goal he welcomes as he navigates this new chapter of his life in Singapore's entertainment scene.

To Jona, the journey is just beginning.

While awards and accolades are thrilling, the challenges of adult life are just as real. Will he rise to conquer them? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: Jona Chung's determination and resilience will play a pivotal role in his future.