It’s normal for parents to worry about how their jobs might affect their kids. But for your child to be so proud of you that they write a song about it? 

Tosh Zhang’s dad can certainly brag about this.

Recently, the Ah Boys To Men star shared his new single ‘Kopitiam’ on Instagram, which was seemingly inspired by his dad.

“When I was younger, my dad was often looked down on because he was a hawker,” revealed the 37-year-old actor.

According to a photo Tosh shared, his dad was presumably a drinks vendor at a coffeeshop.

“He told me: ‘[Tosh], if your friends ask what your dad does for a living, just say [your] dad is a businessman. Daddy doesn’t want them to mock you,’” he recalled.

Needless to say, hearing this completely broke Tosh and his younger sister’s hearts.

“To us, our dad was a superman,” said Tosh.

The actor later told Zaobao.sg that, when he was younger, he had heard his father say that a hawker was not considered a profession with “high social status” or “generous income” in the eyes of society.

His dad also thinks that's why they are inevitably looked down upon by some people.

“Hearing that my father was looked down upon naturally hurt me. I have never been ashamed of him. On the contrary, I am immensely proud of him," gushed Tosh. 

He also recalled helping out with his younger sister at the stall, which he described as cluttered, hot and humid.

Tosh shared that his dad had to stand and work for long hours every day, and could only grab a quick meal whenever there was a break.

Besides carrying heavy boxes of goods and serving customers, his father also had to clean the stall after closing for the day.

“I regard both my parents as heroes. They worked hard to make a living with their own hands, and within their means, they did everything they could to give my sister and me the very best.”

The actor also used the lyrics of his song to convey a sweet message to his dad.

In the single, Tosh explained that his dad didn’t want others to know he was a hawker because he didn’t want his son to “feel the pain of being looked down on”.

His dad also told him that he didn’t have a university degree and had been poor since he was young.

“You must listen to me and study hard. Don’t be useless like dad,” his father then told him.

Tosh, of course, doesn’t want his father to feel this way.

“Dad, you’re my hero,” he said. “I’m proud of you and would strive ahead for you.”

The actor also said that he was only able to chase after his dreams because of how hard his parents worked.

“A hawker’s son could make a name for himself in showbiz,” he said. “Dad, Mum, many may not understand the hardships you’ve been through. But I’ll always keep your never-give-up spirit in my heart.”

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Photos: Tosh Zhang/Instagram