J C Sum

Infobox_Person
name = J C Sum
caption = J C Sum: The Thinking Man's Magician


residence = Singapore
birth_name = Sum Jan-chung
birth_date = birth date and age|1976|12|5
birth_place = Singapore
occupation = Illusionist, Illusion designer, Entrepreneur
website = [http://www.jcsum.com/ jcsum.com]

J C Sum (Sum Jan-chung) (born December 5^th, 1976) is a Singaporean illusionist and illusion designer. Nicknamed “The Thinking Man’s Magician”, J C is one of the most highly regarded illusionists and illusion designers from Asia. AsiaOne named him as "“one of the most celebrated illusionists in Asia”" [http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20070810-21486.html/"Singapore’s David Copperfield"] AsiaOne 10 Aug 2007 ] and MagicSeen called him "“The Ace in Asia”". [“J C Sum, The Ace in Asia” MagicSeen, Issue 9, Jul 2006 ] The Straits Times stated that he is "Singapore's most famous magician" [http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/Features/Story/A1Story20070523-8321.html/"Magic Techies"] The Straits Times, Digital Life, 6 Mar 2007] and The Business Times, Singapore credited him for bringing "“magic to the mainstream market in Asia”" [http://business.asiaone.com/Business/SME+Central/Prime+Movers/Story/A1Story20080303-52521.html/"Sum Kind of Wonderful Magic"] , SME Spotlight, The Business Times, 26 Feb 2008 ] . FHM Singapore recently acknowledged him as "Singapore's best known illusionist""Quote/ Unquote: The Illusionist", FHM Singapore, Aug 2008 issue] . He is best known for performing South East Asia’s first ever Mega Illusion - "The Impossible Teleportation", where he teleported up 50 stories in 5 seconds in front of over 9000 spectators.

Magic career

Early career

J C first found his interest in magic at a very young age of 12 years old and began performing professionally at the age of 16. ] In 1993, J C joined the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Singapore Ring 115 and took part in the 1994 Close-up Competition where he took 2^nd Place with an original Cups and balls routine. He subsequently won the ‘Most Entertaining Magician’ title at the 1996 IBM Ring 115 Close-up Magic Competition. “One Man Parade” The Linking Ring Magazine Mar 1998 Issue (Official Publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians) ]

In 1998, his “One-Man-Parade” was published in the March issue of The Linking Ring, the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. This collection of original magic effects earned him two coveted Linking Ring Awards the next year.

Throughout his junior college school days and time in national service in the Army, J C performed shows and was also booked to perform close-up magic weekly at various hotels & restaurants such as Shangri-la, Hilton, Four Seasons, Tony Romas and Lion City Hotel. ] ] After national service, he was admitted to the National University of Singapore where he majored in English Language & Sociology, with a minor in Philosophy. He gave up a 4^th year honors degree to pursue magic full-time. ["Sum Kind of Wonderment" New Man Magazine (Singapore), Dec 2003]

His early influences in magic include David Copperfield, Dai Vernon, John Carney, David Williamson, Darwin Ortiz, Paul Harris, Wayne Dobson, Jim Steinmeyer, Lance Burton, The Pendragons, Franz Harary, Frank Garcia, Michael Ammar, Richard Ang, Tang Sai Thong, Michael Lim and Pastor Lawrence Khong.“J C Sum, The Ace in Asia” MagicSeen, Issue 9, Jul 2006 ] “One Man Parade” The Linking Ring Magazine Mar 1998 Issue (Official Publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians) ] [http://www.jcsum.com/tqr.html "The Quantum Ring Aug 2007 Issue"] (Official Publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Singapore Ring 115)]

By the new millennium, J C was performing illusion shows for corporate & special events across Asia. “Copperfield Can’t Copy Me” The Straits Times – LIFE!, 2 Apr 2004 ] “Abrabadabra… it’s marketing magic” The New Paper, 17 Apr 2003 ] “Selling Magic” The Edge Singapore, Options, 5 Mar 2007 ] [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/lifestylenews/view/258914/1/.html/"Use Your Own Illusion"] TODAY, 16 Feb 2007]

Current Live Shows

Currently, J C performs all his live shows with 'Magic Babe' Ning, Singapore’s only professional female magician.“The Ning Dynasty” MagicSeen, Issue 19 Mar 2008] ["Foxy Magic" FHM Singapore, Dec 2007 issue] They continue to present their illusions shows across Asia.

In 2007, J C and Ning staged Singapore’s largest illusion ever for a private event which included multiple large illusions including a motorcycle production, sports car vanish, appearance of 12 girls in cultural costumes and an escape from a bed of spikes. [http://www.jcsum.com/tqr.html "The Quantum Ring Aug 2007 Issue"] (Official Publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Singapore Ring 115)]

J C designs many of his own illusions for his shows. He also designed "The Impalement Cage" Mega Escape that Ning attempted on 5 Jul 2008 at Clarke Quay. [http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/story/0,4136,166828,00.html "She's the 'sexiest woman in magic'"] , The New Paper, 7 Jun 2008] "The Living Room", News Radio 93.8FM, 15 Jul 2008] His favourite original illusions are ‘Full Throttle’, a motorcycle production, and ‘Revo-llusion’, an illusion with a giant industrial fan. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/lifestylenews/view/258914/1/.html/"Use Your Own Illusion"] TODAY, 16 Feb 2007] [http://www.jcsum.com/tqr.html/"The Quantum Ring Aug 2007 Issue"] (Official Publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Singapore Ring 115)]

Starting in Aug 2008, J C & Ning will be starring in their own Illusion Show at The Arena in Clarke Quay, the top entertainment district in Singapore. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/361610/1/.html "Singapore nightlife industry fights back against slowdown in tourism"] , Channel NewsAsia, 21 Jul 2008] Ultimate Magic features many different illusions, including many never before seen in Asia. Illusions include: a version of J C Sum's signature Teleportation, Spiker, Revollusion, Full Throttle and many others."Blood Sugar Sex Magic", FiRST, Aug issue] J C will perform a version of his teleportation illusion where he will teleport into The Arena from different locations."Magic holds the Quay", The Straits Times, LIFE! 30 Apr 2008 ] "Breakout Act", FHM Singapore, Jul 2008 issue] [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/358181/1/.html "Abracadabra"] , TODAY, 4 Jul 2008 ] "The Living Room", News Radio 93.8FM, 15 Jul 2008] [http://multimedia.asiaone.com/Multimedia/Story/Ultimate%2BMagic.html “Ultimate Magic”] , AsiaOne, 22 Jul 2008] "Blood Sugar Sex Magic", FiRST, Aug issue]

J C’s teleportation mega illusion and new version to be included in The Arena permanent show was highlighted in The Straits Times in an article that discussed how creative artists protect their intellectual property rights. ["Cooking up a magical way to protect IP", The Straits Times, Review, 10 May 2008] To protect the secret of this teleportation act, J C has four different vendors fabricate different parts of the teleportation chambers and final assembly is done by his own team."Quote/ Unquote: The Illusionist", FHM Singapore, Aug 2008 issue]

Television & Broadcast Media Projects

J C’s first television break came in the 2004 President’s Star Charity where he performed a series of illusions including his ‘Crystal Striptease’ illusion with former radio personality Jamie Yeo (now with ESPN Sports Asia), a personalized card routine of the President of Singapore, S.R. Nathan, and finally making a car appear along with Singapore sports Olympians. Together with a host of local celebrities, the show raised S$2.83 mil for various beneficiaries.President’s Star Charity Coverage, TODAY, 19 Sept 2004] President’s Star Charity Coverage, Lianhe Zaobao, 14 Sept 2004] President’s Star Charity Coverage, The Straits Times – LIFE!, 14 Sept 2004] President’s Star Charity Coverage, The Straits Times, 13 Sept 2004] President’s Star Charity Coverage, The New Paper, 13 Sept 2004] [President's Star Charity Coverage, TODAY, 13 Sept 2004]

In 2006, J C starred in Singapore’s first street magic television series, as part of Jack Neo’s popular "‘Top Fun’" variety show for Channel 8, MediaCorp Studios. The series was created specifically for J C by MediaCorp Studios. ] [http://www.jcsum.com/tqr.html "The Quantum Ring Aug 2007 Issue"] (Official Publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians Singapore Ring 115)] The segments were subsequently compiled and released as a VCD/ DVD titled Street Illusions, distributed by TS Group in Singapore and Malaysia. The same year, he also appeared in 3 episodes of a variety television show performing street magic for the Shanghai Oriental Television Station, China.“J C Sum, The Ace in Asia” MagicSeen, Issue 9, Jul 2006 ]

In 2007, J C starred in "‘Magic in Motion’", a 24-part Street Magic series produced for Singapore Press Holdings’ MediaBoxOffice (SPHMBO). [http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/Features/Story/A1Story20070523-8321.html/"Magic Techies"] The Straits Times, Digital Life, 6 Mar 2007] Bookends, The Sunday Times, 19 Aug 2007]

According to his official website, http://www.jcsum.com/, J C is an illusion consultant for ‘ilusi 2.0’, the second season of a Malay-language magic television show that currently airs on MediaCorp Studios' Suria.

Mega Illusions

On 18 Aug 2007, J C successfully presented the largest single live illusion ever staged in South East Asia, [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/294777/1/.html/"Singapore Magician Teleports from Ground to Rooftop of 50-storey Building"] , Channel News Asia, 19 Aug 2007] "“The Impossible Teleportation”" Mega Illusion. He teleported himself in 5 seconds, from street level while surrounded by more than 9000 spectators and reappeared on the roof of a skyscraper, 50 floors above, within a ring of witnesses. The Mega Illusion was staged at Raffles Place, the heart of the business district in Singapore. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/294777/1/.html/"Singapore Magician Teleports from Ground to Rooftop of 50-storey Building"] , Channel News Asia, 19 Aug 2007] [http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_149800.html/"Illusionist wows crowd as ST marks 162nd anniversary"] , The Sunday Times, 19 Aug 2007 ] [http://multimedia.asiaone.com/Multimedia/Story/A1Multimedia20070820-1119.html/"The Impossible Teleportation: A Mega Success"] , AsiaOne, 21 Aug 2007] "Just to Sum it Up" MagicSeen, Issue 17 Oct 2007 ] [http://itricks.com/news/?p=1883/"50 Stories, 5 Seconds"] , iTricks News, 20 Aug 2007] ["Asian Teleportation!", MAGIC Magazine, Nov 2007]

On the day of the mega illusion, bad weather early in the day caused major delays in set-up and even damaged one crucial illusion apparatus that was repaired just in time. [http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_149800.html/"Illusionist wows crowd as ST marks 162nd anniversary"] , The Sunday Times, 19 Aug 2007 ] "Just to Sum it Up" MagicSeen, Issue 17 Oct 2007 ]

On 24 Sept 2008, J C & Ning successfully staged "South East Asia's Biggest Magic Event at the Singapore River" [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/355938/1/.html Lifestyle activities planned for Singapore's first F1 race] , Channel News Asia, 23 June 2008] by teleporting 3 people across the iconic Singapore River in 2.5 seconds."魔术宝贝2.5秒让你消失",WOBAO, 08 Aug 2008] [http://www.hotstuffmag.net/modelsDetail.php?ID=067MN Hot Stuff Magazine Singapore] , Cover Sep 2008 Issue 67] "Trick with Treats", The Straits Times LIFE!, 12 Sept 2008] “神奇魔术表演千名观众惊叹”, Lianhe Wanbao, 25 Sep 2008] [http://zaobao.com/sp/sp080925_529.shtml "新加坡河大型幻术表演 三人在数千人眼皮下消失"] , Lianhe Zaobao, 25 Sep 2008] [http://www.xin.sg/article.php?article=23894 "幻术师瞬间传送真人 穿新加坡河畔"] , xin.sg, 24 Sep 2008] [http://video2.channelnewsasia.com/cnavideos/chineseplayer.asp?skin=Player1.swf&player=chineseplayer.swf&filename=xin_092408_magicshow.flv Channel 8 News] , 24 Sep 2008 (VIDEO)] Channel 5 News, 24 Sep 2008] "Singapore Tonight, Channel NewsAsia, 24 Sep 2008] The mega illusion was part of the F1 Singapore Grand Prix Season [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/355938/1/.html Lifestyle activities planned for Singapore's first F1 race] , Channel News Asia, 23 June 2008] [http://backstagebusiness.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/the-impossible-journey-mega-illusion-for-f1-singapore-grand-prix-season/ “The Impossible Journey” Mega Illusion for F1 Singapore Grand Prix Season::Backstage Business] ] [http://www.todayonline.com/articles/261279.asp Formula for fun] , TODAY, 24 June 2008] "Two illusionists for F1 event in September will teleport across Singapore River in 2/5 seconds", Lianhe Zaobao, 24 Jun 2008] "3 weeks of events during F1 race", The NewPaper, 24 Jun 2008] "S'pore GP Season festivities will add to Formula 1 buzz", My Paper, 24 Jun 2008] [ http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/358181/1/.html "Abracadabra"] , TODAY, 4 Jul 2008 ] [http://www.hotstuffmag.net/modelsDetail.php?ID=067MN Hot Stuff Magazine Singapore] , Cover Sep 2008 Issue 67] [http://www.asiaone.com/Just%2BWoman/News/High%2BLife/Story/A1Story20080922-89340.html "Celebrity spotting"] , AsiaOne, 22 Sep 2008] and was witnessed by more than 5000 spectators [http://zaobao.com/sp/sp080925_529.shtml "新加坡河大型幻术表演 三人在数千人眼皮下消失"] , Lianhe Zaobao, 25 Sep 2008] [http://www.xin.sg/article.php?article=23894 "幻术师瞬间传送真人 穿新加坡河畔"] , xin.sg, 24 Sep 2008] [http://video2.channelnewsasia.com/cnavideos/chineseplayer.asp?skin=Player1.swf&player=chineseplayer.swf&filename=xin_092408_magicshow.flv Channel 8 News] , 24 Sep 2008 (VIDEO)] . Named "The Impossible Journey"", the starting point was 3 separate teleportation chambers, each on a see-through platform, atop a see-through stage at the Central river promenade. [http://zaobao.com/sp/sp080925_529.shtml "新加坡河大型幻术表演 三人在数千人眼皮下消失"] , Lianhe Zaobao, 25 Sep 2008] [http://www.xin.sg/article.php?article=23894 "幻术师瞬间传送真人 穿新加坡河畔"] , xin.sg, 24 Sep 2008] “神奇魔术表演千名观众惊叹”, Lianhe Wanbao, 25 Sep 2008] [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/377863/1/.html "3 people to be teleported across the S'pore river in magic act"] , Channel NewsAsia, 23 Sep 2008] The destination was a teleportation platform across the Singapore River on the Read Bridge almost 250m away.http://www.jcsum.com/megaillusion.html, Mega Illusion, Retrieved 18 Aug 2008] Lianhe Zao Bao's "ZB Now" (Cover Story), 23 Sep 2008]

J C’s next mega illusions include reading the minds of 1000 people, vanishing a train [http://business.asiaone.com/Business/SME+Central/Prime+Movers/Story/A1Story20080303-52521.html/"Sum Kind of Wonderful Magic"] , SME Spotlight, The Business Times, 26 Feb 2008 ] and an illusion that will showcase Singapore's racial harmony [http://zaobao.com/sp/sp080925_529.shtml "新加坡河大型幻术表演 三人在数千人眼皮下消失"] , Lianhe Zaobao, 25 Sep 2008] .

Published Works

J C has written four books on illusion design. His first publication 'Illusionary Departures' published in July 2004 has been sold to almost 500 fellow magicians in 32 countries – including the UK, US and Japan. [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/lifestylenews/view/258914/1/.html/"Use Your Own Illusion"] TODAY, 16 Feb 2007] Lianhe Zao Bao's "ZB Now" (Cover Story), 23 Sep 2008]

J C’s published works include:

*One Man Parade, The Linking Ring (Mar 1998)
*The Magic Notebook (1998) - Lecture Notes
*One Man Parade, The Linking Ring (Nov 2002)
*Illusionary Departures (Jul 2004)
*The Event Illusionist (Dec 2004)
*Equilateral (Aug 2006)
*Beyond the Stage (Jan 2007) - Lecture Notes

Business

In Singapore, J C is recognized as a creative entrepreneur & marketer for making magic a successful career and business. “Copperfield Can’t Copy Me” The Straits Times – LIFE!, 2 Apr 2004 ] [http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/Features/Story/A1Story20070523-8321.html/"Magic Techies"] The Straits Times, Digital Life, 6 Mar 2007] “Selling Magic” The Edge Singapore, Options, 5 Mar 2007 ] “Spellbound” The New Paper, 6 Mar 2008] "Simply Magic", The Straits Times, 8 Mar 2008] [http://business.asiaone.com/Business/SME+Central/Prime+Movers/Story/A1Story20080303-52521.html/"Sum Kind of Wonderful Magic"] , SME Spotlight, The Business Times, 26 Feb 2008 ] He is the founder & creative magic producer for [http://www.conceptmagic.biz/ Concept:Magic] , which produces his shows, special projects and manages magic talents. “Selling Magic” The Edge Singapore, Options, 5 Mar 2007 ] [http://business.asiaone.com/Business/SME+Central/Prime+Movers/Story/A1Story20080303-52521.html/"Sum Kind of Wonderful Magic"] , SME Spotlight, The Business Times, 26 Feb 2008 ] He is also the co-founder (along with ‘Magic Babe’ Ning) and executive producer for [http://www.mightymagicfactory.com/ Mighty Magic Factory] , a Kids’ Educational and Entertainment Company.

J C was a Spirit of Enterprise Nominee 2007 which recognizes individuals/ business with exceptional entrepreneurial spirithttp://www.soe.com.sg/ ‘List of Nominee’ Retrieved, Mar 17 2008.] J C is highly influenced by Jack Trout’s & Al Ries’ ‘Positioning’ marketing strategy which he adopts extensively in his businesses. [http://business.asiaone.com/Business/SME+Central/Prime+Movers/Story/A1Story20080303-52521.html/"Sum Kind of Wonderful Magic"] , SME Spotlight, The Business Times, 26 Feb 2008 ] “Spellbound” The New Paper, 6 Mar 2008] "Simply Magic", The Straits Times, 8 Mar 2008] J C and Ning are also currently the highest paid magicians in Singapore."She's the 'sexiest woman in magic'", The New Paper, 7 Jun 2008] [http://www.razor.tv/site/servlet/segment/main/entertainment/10122.html Razorpop with Magic Babe and J C Sum] , RazorTV, 2 Oct 2008]

External links

* [http://www.jcsum.com/ Official Site of J C Sum]
* [http://www.conceptmagic.biz/ Concept:Magic]
* [http://www.illusionbooks.com/ Illusion Books]
* [http://backstagebusiness.wordpress.com/ J C's Blog - Backstage Business: The Art, Science & Business of Magic by J C Sum]
* [http://www.facebook.com/pages/J-C-Sum-and-Magic-Babe-Ning/24282059109 J C & Ning's Official Fan Page]
* [http://www.mightymagicfactory.com/ Mighty Magic Factory]

Related Videos

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rde6MIKTn8 J C Sum Promotional Video Trailer - Youtube]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKET98KJ8gI The Impossible Teleportation Video - Youtube]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_SRI6phvfc Singapore's First Permanent Illusion Show "Ultimate Magic" Video Trailer]
* [http://multimedia.asiaone.com/Multimedia/Story/Ultimate%2BMagic.html “Ultimate Magic” - AsiaOne Video]
* [http://multimedia.asiaone.com/Multimedia/Story/Now%2Byou%2Bsee%2Bit%2Bnow%2Byou%2Bdon%2527t.html “Now You See It Now You Don't” - J C Sum AsiaOne Video]
* [http://video2.channelnewsasia.com/cnavideos/chineseplayer.asp?skin=Player1.swf&player=chineseplayer.swf&filename=xin_092408_magicshow.flv "The Impossible Journey" - Channel 8 News]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TkKB035S-s The Impossible Journey - Official Video]
* [http://www.razor.tv/site/servlet/segment/main/entertainment/10122.html Razorpop with Magic Babe and J C Sum - RazorTV]

Notes and references