Kane Lim beyond Netflix’s Bling Empire: the only Singaporean cast member talks Buddhism, Covid-19, property investing and friendship – exclusive interview

It’s difficult to talk about Netflix’s hit reality series Bling Empire without bringing up the 2018 movie Crazy Rich Asians in the same breath. The Bling Empire cast is aware of the comparisons, too – Kane Lim, in fact, believes that if Crazy Rich Asians wasn’t as successful as it was, Bling Empire might have never got greenlit. 

“I loved the film. When my friends first invited me to the premiere, I was like, ‘I’m not going. I don’t want to watch a crazy rich show,’” he recounted. “I just thought that the connotations of being rich can come off as very negative, obnoxious, rude and in your face.”

But eventually Lim gave it a chance, and he thought it was shot beautifully.

“I know some of the cast members. It highlighted Singapore so well; it put my country on the map. I’m so proud of the film and its success.”

As the only Bling cast member from Singapore, it was important to Lim to bring his local culture to the series. In one episode, viewers see him get a bit homesick and throw a party at an Asian restaurant for Singapore’s Independence Day. It even featured his favourite dish: kaya toast. 

“Singapore represents a multicultural, all-embracing, melting pot of people. I grew up with Indians, Malays, Chinese, Caucasians, African-Americans. I really appreciate that upbringing,” he said proudly. “The country is also really accepting in terms of religion.” 

In addition to his love of Singapore’s racial and cultural diversity, Lim admires how safe his beloved city is. “At any time, I can walk on the streets and never feel like I am going to get mugged.”

Lim believes the biggest misconception people have about Singapore is that everyone who lives there is well off financially. 

“A lot of the population are not doing well, especially during Covid, and that’s why I think we should do our part to help. I always advocate charity on my Instagram and social media. My parents have always been advocates for non-profits, and we support one that helps a thousand patients a day for free medical needs.”

On Bling, Lim also speaks about becoming enamoured with Buddhism in the last few years, striving to live a simple life. Chanting in his house and car for an hour each morning has been “life changing” for him. 

Although his faith doesn’t place importance on material items, Lim still believes he is on the right path.

“I think in Buddhism, letting go of things doesn’t mean you have to completely let go of the current moment,” he acknowledged. “You can own it, but you don’t have the fear of losing it. So if I lose something today, I have to be able to let that go. It doesn’t mean I have to throw my material stuff away. What Buddhism teaches you is not to have the idea of grasping it too tightly.” 

Lim pointed out that all religions preach about people being rich. “That’s a sign you’re doing something right and prosperous.”

Recently, Lim went out for ice cream and a fan recognised him. “She thanked me for highlighting Buddhism. It’s a religion that is so passive that people don’t really talk about it. She said [through] the way I had expressed it, I had made Buddhists proud. I am so happy that it came across that way.”

And while Lim “has few friends, doesn’t go to parties, drink or smoke,” he does yoga and meditates instead. “Not long ago, my friends asked me to go to Vegas, and I said, ‘I just want to stay home with my cat!’” he quipped.

But the friends Lim does have are cherished and important to him. One of the most poignant highlights on Bling is seeing him comfort his BFF, Cherie Chan, about the tragic death of her mother. He also headed to South Carolina with cast mate Kevin Kreider to track down Kim Lee’s long lost biological father. 

And just like the show’s many fans, Lim loves the relationship he has with Anna Shay.

“We weren’t friends before the show, we just shot this together and after filming, we became such good pals. I treat her like family now, my parents are so happy that I found someone like her in my life. She’s a person who wants nothing from you and obviously, doesn’t have any bad intentions.”

Lim draws the line on any inauthentic friend that would betray him.

“I think a friend should never hurt another friend. Growing up, some of my friends would attempt to hurt me through my family … I think that’s just the worst.”

After watching the episodes again, Lim reminisced about his Cali life before the pandemic took over.

“Pre-Covid, I would wake up and work out, going to Soul Cycle or Barry’s Bootcamp. I’d check in on my real estate properties and spend my time looking for deals. I have a family office where proposals come in all the time; I’d look at investments in hospitality spaces, wellness and technology, seeing which ones make sense.”

Now that the season has wrapped, Lim has more time to work on acquiring and selling real estate projects in Los Angeles. His love of purchasing residential homes stems from his fondness for decor.

“I have always gravitated to aesthetics and love interior designing. Having good style can translate to multiple fields. My family has always invested and made money through real estate too. I like owning an asset, and at the same time, be able to look at it, and put my own spin on it.”

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