POPULAR singer, actor and fashion icon Alvin Chong now calls himself ALVN because it is "catchy and cool".
The Penang-born entertainer said yesterday he was inspired by two singer-songwriters whom he greatly admires.
They are Malaysia's Najwa Mahiaddin, who goes by the stage name NJWA, and the United States' Jacob Lawson, who goes by the stage name JVKE.
"It's a decision I made late last year. People remember a singer or actor better with a name that stands out, and names that look like abbreviations do stand out," he said at the launch of the new Illy Caffe outlet in Hartamas Shopping Centre, Sri Hartamas, here, recently.
"Furthermore, young music lovers like names that sound very K-Pop such as RM, J-Hope and V in the world-famous boyband BTS, one of my favourite pop groups today."
Alvin uses ALVN as an actor, as well as a singer.
"I could use my real name when I'm acting and ALVN when I'm singing, but it's a lot easier to be ALVN all the way!"
If there is one K-Pop singer Alvin would love to collaborate with, it is Kan Min-Hyuk of CNBLUE whom he met in a few places last month.
"We met in Milan, Italy, then Jakarta, Indonesia, and finally Seoul, South Korea. These were international fashion events, and meeting him made my day!"
Alvin described Min-Hyuk as a "great guy" who is soft-spoken, humble and friendly.
"I can finally say I met a K-Pop sensation up, close and personal. We dined in a restaurant in Italy and had a great chat.
"I really hope Min-Hyuk can come to Malaysia one day and sing with me," he said, adding that singing with BTS or JVKE would be his "ultimate dreams".
On his coming projects, Alvin said he would release a new English album with eight songs next month.
"It is my second album, and first entirely in English. I hope Malaysians will love it, for it is a lot different from the first one."
Alvin, 33, from George Town, Penang, was discovered in Astro Star Quest 2012.
As an actor, he has starred in drama series such as 'Dia Semanis Honey', 'Mak Cun', 'Takdir Yang Tertulis', 'Iskandar Chempaka' and 'Suri Hati Mr Pilot Raya'.
His films include 'Ah Beng: Mission Impossible', '3 Brothers', 'Mrs K' and 'Seratus'.
He also hosted 'I Can See Your Voice Malaysia Season 1' in 2018.
Alvin's songs include 'Sepenuh Jiwa', 'Lagu Mu', 'Tajam', 'Raya Nusantara', 'Keep Flying', 'Perfect', 'Don't Ask Me Why' and 'We Got This', a duet with Filipino singer Isabela Vinzon.
Most recently, he sang 'One More Night' with YOUHA of South Korea and released the single 'Over Again'.
Alvin, who has his own podcast RU OK, which began last year, is a brand ambassador for BOSS, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana.
He represented the country at New York Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week last year.