The REAL Life of Foreign Teenagers in Singapore

📌Get 8% off for your first year of corporate secretary and accounting service: osome.com/sg/referral/8off/?r...
Please, meet Lev. He moved to Singapore as a teenager. And now he has been here for 12 years. His story is amazing. We had an incredible conversation about his local school experience, professional career in fencing, 2 years in the Army, and being one of the top talents on the famous Singaporean KZbin channel, Wah!Banana. Enjoy!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 INTRO
00:47 Was it hard to move as a teenager from country to country?
01:57 International school vs. local Singaporean school
04:46 Career in fencing: always in the top 3, but rejected for citizenship
05:34 Being in Singapore Army: "I felt like an outsider."
09:02 What's wrong with Lasalle College of the Arts
10:20 Work for Wah!Banana: "KZbin is dying."
14:16 Main difference between Singaporean and western cultures
WATCH NEXT:
📌How to Grow on KZbin in 2021 and gain 1,300,000 subs (Singaporean WAH Banana founder explains) • How to Grow on KZbin...
📌Why I Moved to SINGAPORE from EUROPE and NEVER going back:
• Why I Moved to SINGAPO...
📌Pros & Cons of Living in Singapore as a Foreigner:
• Pros & Cons of Living ...
LET'S BE FRIENDS:
► My Instagram (use the translate button to read the posts 😇): / chernov_networking
► Sponsorship-related requests: [e-mail]
LEV'S SOCIAL MEDIA:
► / levpanf
► / levpanf
....
Hey! I'm Max. This channel is for those who like to know more about life in Singapore, social media marketing trends globally, and to hear the stories of lifestyle business owners from all over the world.
*Links above may include affiliate commissions or referrals. The content is accurate as of the posting date but may not be accurate in the future.
#MaxInAsia #MaxChernov #Singapore

[@entiro]

Ah I was wondering if it was the same guy when I saw his name on the report. Gonna love some people already deeming him guilty when the trial hasn't even started. lol

[@skchan3062]

Yes same guy.. sad that he has issues with following the law…… no wonder he couldn’t get his PR..

[@duffvader6731]

14 witnesses got called by the prosecution. Think about this for a moment.

[@Fiat-kl6lt]

In Singapore the prosecutors will nail u... 99% they'll succeed, very hard to escape!

[@zack2804]

Dude's a troubled person with a troubled history. I doubt he's innocent.

[@Fiat-kl6lt]

@@skchan3062 Weird thing is how come he's not a citizen by now as he had served his 2yrs NS?

[@osimese]

as long as he been though ns. he's one of us. I dun care what other said

[@mosesng1109]

same here..... the fact that he was willing to sacrifice his time for this red dot.... he's one of us irregardless of what his race or religion.... unless he's converted to be a Communist 🤣🤣🤣

[@romyhamid1888]

Asian foreigners got la….the white one seems to think its a waste if time

[@muneirovalibas6194]

@@romyhamid1888 lets be honest, plenty of singaporeans also complain its a waste of time lol

[@romyhamid1888]

@@muneirovalibas6194 they hatce to justify spending the overflow tax payers money yes?

[@romyhamid1888]

@@mosesng1109 you think? 1st sign if trouble they all cabut….army training now like holiday camp, if they stay good luck to them hahahahaah

[@samadsaif1325]

You served NS so you deserve my respect. Never give up.

[@weshz2429]

Love his army story👍👍

[@alanlee2703]

Serve NS! Ang Mo Well done!!! You are one of us!!!

[@kumleng2003]

Very candid recount of the time in the military

[@kokkiongang5965]

He is our bro… definitely one of us..

[@hemjoo]

I appreciate his honesty about the local education system - it's the big class sizes that are preventing all kinds of creative teaching... imagine getting thru 38 indiv presentations, for example!

[@ethelwai]

During my time (80's), you only got to do presentations when you went to JC (pre-university) when classes were smaller. You were encouraged to speak your mind then. But it was hard after so many years of "no speaking" in the first 10 years of formal education.

[@romyhamid1888]

His version of lembik NS?

[@FaithChongLeXinKcpss]

My primary school class was 42

[@user-fb7rf4kr5k]

Great kid and attitude! I hope he continues to succeed in Singapore and that the Singapore government will give him a citizenship. Asides, Singapore is international, more international than any Western capital in all honesty. Singapore has 4 major civilizational streams: Western, Chinese, Indian, and Muslim. No Western capital can genuinely boast peoples from these four major civilizations living together in harmony. Singapore does not have everything, but I think Singaporeans work hard every day to have everything--security, health, housing, family.

[@Watashiwa1233]

Rapist

[@cheti8720]

*Malay

[@jasonic25]

Most foreigners only take advantage of the economy success of the country but I give it to him for going thru NS and he is truly earn his rights living in here and a good Singapore son

[@MaxChernov]

Foreigners not only take advantage of the developed economy of Singapore (which is true) but also contribute to its economy a lot

[@danielc2701]

@@MaxChernov It's just a strange quirk of Singaporeans. "If you're foreigner, you're out to take advantage of us. Oh wait you served NS? Then you can't be a foreigner, no matter what the government says." lol. It's a strange mental thing that NS is the determinant on if you are a Singaporean or not.

[@zhen86]

@@danielc2701 Reason is he gave up two years like us, and not like the PAP MP who say he save life so its the same as NS.

[@danielc2701]

@@zhen86 I think you're being too anti-brand name. Just because someone slaps a "PAP" brand on something does not mean it's automatically evil. In reverse, it also means that it's not automatically good as well. You got to look beyond the "PAP" brand name.

[@TrueBlueSG-dg1lh]

@@danielc2701 I am unsure in what context is your response to zhen86. If I'm right I believe he was referring to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janil_Puthucheary who like Max and you cannot seem to differentiate between contributing to the economy and serving NS - it's not the same! And he was not the only PAP minister who deliberately or not, cannot differentiate this.

[@clementihammock7572]

During my army days, hardly any foreigners. Now, our Army or Home Team, at least 20% are foreign born and bred. Once LKY mentioned to Charlie Rose. we got Ukrainian and Russian serving in Army. Now, even we got Navy Diver with Africa Family Background.

[@garethcf1016]

I disrupted from NS just under 3 years ago to study, and I do notice more foreigners in my camp now that I'm back. Its pretty interesting to see

[@tyersalladam4735]

And non of them do re-service

[@arsenal_84]

The naval diver with African background was already serving since 2006 batch.

[@AK-dd1rl]

During my army days back in 1980, already got one angmo and Indian in my battalion.

[@muhammadfahmi7159]

During my SCDF days, there was a Warrant Officer who is the only caucasian in SCDF at that time. He hold the rank of WO2 (SCDF Version of 2nd Warrant Officer).

[@ajisenramen888]

No longer Foreigner after NS! First Generation Local Lah…❤

[@waynerainer5250]

The imitation of the Hokkien speaking commander was spot on

[@kenji4596]

If you serve 2 years of your life with SAF spilling your fair share of blood and sweat like us,regardless of where you are from i'll still gladly call you my brother. cheers 👊

[@ansori123]

Yeah, I fully agree with you that he really deserves citizenship. What more stronger example of personal sacrifice to this country than having gone thru NS. Good luck in all his future endeavours.

[@alui5362]

bro lev, not sure if you'll see this - issue with not leashing your dog is that if your dog goes up to a reactive bigger dog, your dog can get bit and the other dog's owner can't do anything to stop it. I've got a big dog and it's reactive to certain dogs, so I hate the anxiety that comes from seeing dogs that are unleashed. had a couple of encounters where the dog gets into my dog's face and there's just no way to control the situation. it's a 'it's for your dog's safety, not mine' situation.

[@shan2lu]

Wud love to hear his army stories ....

[@levpanfilov3137]

Come gather around the fireplace :)

[@Leafisa]

He went thru NS. He Is Singaporean already lah. In fact, it actually made him sound mature and less “foreigner”. We tend to associate westerner with more free nature free spirit attitude. In this video, we can see that he more local in his attitude and has tons of self censorship. Impressive

[@Frenchieeeee]

Yet his application for citizenship was rejected multiple times.. shame on the Singapore government.

[@hughkwan9681]

he served NS. he is one of us

[@leewn2319]

Hi Lev, did u keep the granade’s safety pin as survivor?

[@viksoply6404]

Damn.. he was my fencing coach for a couple weeks in an international school

[@MaxChernov]

Oh nice

[@GamingForSpeed]

yay lev from wah banana

[@rollie206]

I caught Lev going up the escalator this afternoon at PLQ 😀

[@vieworama8188]

I came here so quick once i saw the report

[@andrewie4]

Hey hey!! To my fellow comrade from Lasalle!! I jus graduated this yr.

[@Tungku66]

My daughters studied in Repton while we were stationed in Dubai. Nice school but some teachers can be not so …

[@lpericteo]

Bloody hell ICA, give that man his pink IC. 😡🤬😡

[@jlcdrivewayramps7343]

the guy served National Service and he is denied citizenship ???

[@ursister4637]

he is already a local in our heart😂❤

[@MaxChernov]

Have you served in the Army?

[@TheRazerlg]

No

[@jeffz2810]

serving NS don't mean u will get citizenship. cause u will need to personally go ask the officer/mdm to apply for u. so alot of my friend didnt know it. and after 2 years of NS, they are still a PR. and applying citizenship after NS is very very difficult.

[@pkchow2580]

Is funny!!!😂😂

[@hannah5245]

No young person thinks army training is beneficial while they're training. When you become an adult, you will appreciate the training.

[@tongfattho6913]

Amazing guy. Did NS in Singapore.

[@axarionn7544]

Ohnonono dont tell him guys

[@superconnie5003]

Accept him because he went thru rite of passage...NS

[@bellybutton6138]

Poor boy. From international school to local schools. Must be huge cultural and academic SHOCK. Anyway, he survived. LOL

[@gusiev]

Great

[@IanShiC]

Kinda sounds like Germans the way he describes the Singaporeans; law-abiding, serious and no-nonsense. The Austrians (neighbours, culturally & historically rather similar and were even in one single country at some point, but more relaxed and chilled) are the Malaysians across the tiny pond. Politics in Malaysia is also shittier and more conservative just like Austria.

[@MaxChernov]

Haha interesting comparison

[@amyg1073]

This guy is fantastic. A Very interesting character .

[@MaxChernov]

Yeh he is very cool

[@conned]

You wanna live in any country, contribute...serve the community, help the disadvantaged.

[@MaxChernov]

Agree! And actually that’s the main criteria for PR application to be approved

[@margaretlee3062]

Hope he eventually get his citizenship!

[@beezlebub9]

3:11 lol, lol, I agree

[@envitech02]

Fine young man. I trust he will get a fair trial for his rape charge.

[@thelioktjwanmoses8760]

Joining our politic, may be bringing new perspectives to our system

[@jackielee4599]

Is a matter of time you get your citizenship keep applying sometimes immigration test you are a genuine case.I believe you were get it. I have a friend she apply for 20 years alas she get it.

[@TemplarLove]

We had a Russian officer in my unit during my NS days

[@rudylopez5060]

Thank u for your service to serve National Service in the army. We salute you.. unlike NS defaulters who fled the country.. once again, Max Chernov, Slavia Russia! Uraaaa!!

[@MaxChernov]

Are you referring to people who left Russia after they were called by the dictator to kill Ukrainians in the ridiculous war?

[@ymhktravel]

@@MaxChernov I think he meant those Singaporeans who reached 16 or 18 and refuse to come back to perform NS yet their parents didn't choose to give up his citizenship rights, something like that.

[@zz4443zz]

@@ymhktravel do you see the irony

[@fba90130]

@@MaxChernov Technically they weren't defaulters either. They weren't called up at that time.

[@enigmaticrandom386]

​@@fba90130 how? They usually will be notified via mail or portal about enlistment

[@Trinetra3382]

should not stop trying to apply for citizenship. he has already half-singaporean

[@2seraya]

16:58 yeah yeah ... that's what I don't like about Singapore too.

[@JohnLeehs]

I think Levpanf is a Singapore son.

[@nopenonein]

What I learnt from NS is the diversity of Singaporeans. You meet the diverse religions and people from all income strata of Singapore. When you meet poor people of Singapore when they risk court martial go MIA to pay a debt. How are you going to get this mixing of Singaporeans if the elite go straight to officer course?

[@jahnsega5599]

He got potential for the new pck since hes already into script writing

[@waikiankhoo8746]

i usually see those who served NS as one of us than those 1st gen singaporean immigrant who dont have to serve.

[@iamjaydennn]

Maybe the religion of the uncle in the lift doesn't permit him to come into close contact with dogs (their saliva), not so much about the size or breed of the dog.

[@sugarly69]

Wait this is the guy that is being charged with rape

[@suivzmoi]

this guy 100% ang moh beng.

[@tintintin534]

Glad he didnt have PR and please don't give him any.

[@jonlim555]

This the Tinder guy who is now facing trial for sexual assault rape

[@limfunsi]

I thought if you serve your national service, you would be given the chance to become citizen…

[@kevinkuok9131]

Go on, please give him the Citizenship. He has done NS and he's definitely settled there. Just change his citizenship status.

[@Sadoshka1]

Лев крутой 😎

[@MaxChernov]

И смешной)

[@idoit5005]

He has a nice British accent

[@charmainewong6087]

It’s not about Singaporeans being more obedient. It’s about the philosophy towards life - there are core differences Asia vs Western. The latter’s ways isn’t better even if it seems and assumed that individualism is idolized and way to be “modern”. Nope.

[@MaxChernov]

The best is somewhere in between, no?

[@laufamilytwoo1840]

🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬🇸🇬Singaporean,we r 🇸🇬 💪💪💪💪💪💪👏👏👏💪💪💪✌️👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏👏

[@jeromesimon8916]

Now this dude faces very serious allegations

[@stephenshw2262]

Poor kid. He tries hard to succeed in Singapore on our terms but luck is simply not on his side.

[@MaxChernov]

She’s doing pretty well here actually

[@zhen86]

@@MaxChernov he changed his pronounce?

[@MaxZRider]

pronouns*

[@duffvader6731]

WTF? This guy just got charged with rape.

[@MaxChernov]

OMG

[@chrishenniker5944]

He’s a nonce? That sucks. Will he be deported after he’s convicted?

[@Bella-wp7wz]

I feel citizenship is notoriously difficult to get in Singapore

[@MaxChernov]

It is

[@romyhamid1888]

Pay high taxes and you get citizenship just like that

[@TheRazerlg]

@@romyhamid1888 Doesn't work like that

[@romyhamid1888]

@@TheRazerlg yes ah oowwww. Thats why youre smarter .

[@alese7531]

@@romyhamid1888 yep 👍🏻

[@exas4791]

Areas beneath his eyes r quite dark. So u might want to ask him to get a health examination.

[@MaxChernov]

That’s like that from my childhood years

[@lemonrand1]

Served liao.. Pink IC

[@littledrummerboy9080]

Singapore is strict but political opponents don't get unpersoned like in Russia.

[@melvinch]

You obviously don't know much about the dirty side of sinkapore politics.

[@littledrummerboy9080]

@@melvinch Please educate me.

[@lalaneo74]

😂 🤣

[@simonloo2168]

What is his surname ? I may know his father who was an ex colleague. Profile similar .

[@cmymotion]

We do jay walk .. 😂

[@csy897]

He went NS and didn’t get a citizenship? Why?

[@tanky815]

Maybe Chow Keng not Siao on?

[@csy897]

@seeyouseemee3863 I thought that was calculated when they were accepted for PR…? No?

[@timothywoo7994]

He applied it before he went to NS...maybe he could do it this time...

[@bambooex]

Is common. I have friends that only get citizenship 5 yrs after ORD, after multiple tries

[@MaxChernov]

Cause he is PR

[@ditsygirl5409]

You serve NS in Singapore? Ok that’s major contribution. What is our government thinking?

[@Frenchieeeee]

wait lemme get this straight, he was in the military for Singapore but his application to be a citizen is rejected? shame on the Singapore governrment.

[@Hermit-Crab]

Hey you, ang moh, you think it's very fun dropping grenade is it? Drop 20 now and go and sign an extra.

[@beakermeepmeep]

Hey Mr Chernov. Appreciate your hard work, but I think you better think thrice on whether to keep this clip up for now. Maybe seek legal advice too. Even if it doesn't get subpoenaed, the public scandal itself will attract trolls & gossips to your entire channel.

[@MaxChernov]

Legal advice about what? This interview was published half a year ago!

[@deathdragonslayer1]

I would assume if Max had known this dude was under investigation for molestation and r*pe since 2021 when the police report was first lodged, he wouldn't even had invited him on the channel in the first place.

[@linzixuan29]

Tbh why do you need a fancy camera to record this when you can just you use an iPhone

[@MaxChernov]

Haha yes I use iPhone

[@bloop3460]

Sounds like he had a very hard time fitting in anywhere. Must have taken a lot to adapt to somewhere as sterile as Singapore.

[@graceleetay]

Nah, he loves Singapore and wants to be a citizen for someone who cannot fit in. It could be your imagination that is sterile.

[@axelmanuel18]

he looks like nicholas galitzine

[@derlau]

The uncle in the elevator could be a Muslim.

[@CrazyWatcher670]

He is a real trouble.

[@slevin787]

This dude has just been charged for molestation and Rape in Singapore…. The news is from SG Straits times and CNA. He’s here for ages yet make such unpardonable mistake. What a jerk unfortunately.

[@MaxChernov]

It’s still trial, not verdict yet

[@aerdn6789]

Well. This didn't age well. Lmao.

[@527ctguy]

hot guy!

[@seabreeze667]

Sporean are law-abiding, but the amount of bullying and harassing at workplaces are so bad

[@emorcen]

Guy is on trial for rape now. Good job glorifying him!

[@MaxChernov]

Check the date of the upload. How on earth I knew about this. Also the trial is still going meaning we don’t know the final decision

[@reddragon2k6]

My guy, this video was made 5 months before we knew everything. Max Chernov himself is probably wondering what to do now... I myself though couldn't get worse than Dee Kosh molesting teenagers, and then getting his spotlight back while his victims reel from the trauma. But this, the guy Max interviewed getting charged with rape is at a whole new level.

[@starwind13]

​@@MaxChernov That's your line in the sand? 'How on earth do I know...'? As an content creator and an adult, do your due diligence. In fact, throw him under the bus. He's not worthy.

[@chrishenniker5944]

He’s a nonce? I bet he’s going to be deported once he’s convicted.

[@FrozenHonors]

may i suggest you not feature rapists on your youtube channel

[@romyhamid1888]

Earn 5 figures and pay expat tax….then you get PR

[@MaxChernov]

It doesn’t help unfortunately :)

[@romyhamid1888]

@@MaxChernov youre not friend la….or family

[@TheRazerlg]

He is already PR

[@IZTheOne]

it doesn't work that way lol

[@cringe_male7588]

крутой

[@TheRazerlg]

I can see in his eyes he hates SG haha if you are reading this, would you have preferred staying in Dubai over Singapore?

[@levpanfilov3137]

Hahaha no lah :) it's got its ups and downs lol

[@clementihammock7572]

@@levpanfilov3137 Go NYC, spend 5 to 10 years working there. But, pls pls pls stay away from drugs and gang.

[@aero.l]

UAE is not a place where non-Muslims would settle and take up citizenship. Having children out of wedlock there would land you in jail.

[@tyersalladam4735]

@@aero.l Idiot tell that to the Christian Arabs who live there with no problem 😂 you're simply a hedonistic who thinks people share your outlook in life.

[@romyhamid1888]

Who loves it except foreigners. He probably regret. Most if then will get out of here once theh jave enough $$$. You think they will stay??? Youre joking