Who says grandparents can’t be TikTok famous? Meet Ian Thio, a 21-year-old Singaporean content creator, and his 82-year-old grandmother, Ong Siew Hoon—a duo redefining family bonding, one viral dance video at a time. While most grandkids might drift apart from their elders as life gets busy, Ian and Mdm Ong have turned TikTok into their playground, strengthening their relationship while racking up 300,000 followers and views in the millions. From dance battles that broke the internet to landing collaborations for influencer marketing in Singapore with giants like Netflix and McDonald’s, here’s why this pair is the ultimate #FamilyGoals—plus a few surprises you didn’t see coming.
1. Intern by Day, Influencer by Night
Let’s get one thing straight: Ian isn’t your average intern. While juggling coursework and student life, he’s also mastering the art of content creation alongside his grandma. Their TikTok videos—all 200+ of them—aren’t just cute; they’re a side hustle pulling in four-figure pay checks. Many well-known brands have slid into their DMs for partnerships, but here’s the twist: Mdm Ong refuses to take a single cent. “I don’t need the money at this age,” she insists, calling quality time with Ian her real “payment.” Talk about priceless—unless you count the 22.5 million views on their pretend dance battle as currency.
2. Thrift King (& Sustainable Hustler)
When Ian isn’t teaching Grandma the latest TikTok shuffle, he’s co-running WEARE (pronounced “wear”), a Gen Z-approved thrift shop he launched with his brother Jachin and friend Ashley. Forget stuffy second-hand stores—this is curated chaos. Think Woodstock-era ponchos, Harley Davidson tees, and corsets made from upcycled vintage fabrics, all priced under 30. Their first pop−up, WEAREHOUSE, blew up faster than a TikTok trend, thanks to savvy KOL marketing on their socials.
The trio wanted thrifting to feel accessible, not intimidating. Mission accomplished: Shoppers now raid their bins for everything from Dickies trousers to track jackets, proving sustainable fashion doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
3. Pocket Activist for KFC’s Denim Revolution
Ladies, ever tried stuffing a phone into jeans pockets that barely fit a credit card? Ian joined forces with KFC, denim label Pinheads, and R/GA to tackle this injustice in The Pocket Fix campaign. Inspired by KFC’s Trio Pockett (13.5cm x 19cm of deep-fried perfection), they designed a denim pocket big enough for…well, actual human needs. The twist? Ian and other influencers stitched these pockets onto pocketless pants, then roasted the fashion industry’s absurd designs using #PocketFix. Spoiler: It went viral. Because who wouldn’t want a pocket that fits a chicken wrap and your dignity?
4. Bloopers > Blockbusters
Plot twist: Ian’s grandma isn’t a TikTok natural, who admits that she fumbles the steps every time. But guess what? Those blunders are why fans adore them. While filming takes up to three hours (for a 60-second clip!), Ian’s patience never wavers. “She still doesn’t get that messing up is the best part,” he laughs. For Mdm Ong, the camera-shy introvert, it’s all about bonding and quality time with her grandson. Their raw, unpolished vibe—paired with Grandma’s reluctant sass—is a masterclass in authenticity.
5. Sipping Brattea with Yeo’s
When Charli XCX’s Brat album dropped in 2024, Singapore caught “brat fever”—and Ian was front-row. Heritage drink brand Yeo’s tapped him to lead their Brattea campaign, slapping neon-green rebellion onto their classic green tea. Alongside Gen Z icons like Dewy Choo, Ian stormed hotspots like Haji Lane with surprise unboxings, proving even legacy brands can be cool. The lesson? Don’t underestimate grandmas—or grandsons—when it comes to cultural clout.
Conclusion
From thrift flips to pocket protests, Ian Thio and Mdm Ong are redefining intergenerational cool. They’re not just chasing trends—they’re crafting a blueprint for authenticity in a filtered world. Whether he’s acing exams or making the latest viral hit on TikTok, one thing’s clear: This gran-fluencer duo is here to stay, proving that family ties + creativity = internet gold.
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Image Credit: @ianthioo on TikTok
