J.C Sum is a Singaporean illusionist and magician. He has a world record and is widely regarded as one of Asia’s top magicians. Sum’s fascination with magic began when he was barely 12 years old, and he consumed all the information he could get his hands on. He learned enough in just four years to begin obtaining paid employment. Despite his outstanding potential, he remained focused on his studies and his obligation to serve in the national military. During his service and college years, he did magic part-time before deciding to pursue magic full-time and quitting out. He teamed up with “Magic Babe” Ning early in his career, and the two have gone on to become the most successful magic partnership ever. Their equal partnership has also re-defined the roles of men and women in the world of magic. Sum holds three world records, has written multiple books and gives seminars all over the world to teach his profession. They also run a firm that specializes in children’s magic shows.
Childhood and Adolescence
J.C. Sum was born in Singapore on December 5, 1976, as Sum Jan-Chung.
He went to Victoria Junior College and Victoria High School. He started interested in magic while still in school.
He began learning magic at the age of 12 and began performing professionally at the age of 16.
He became a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians in 1993.
The Career of Sum
Sum’s first gigs were when he was 16 years old. With his cup and balls routine, he placed second in the close-up competition in 1994.
At the brotherhood’s close-up competition in 1996, he won the Singapore ring 115 “Most Entertaining Magician.”
His “one-man parade” illusion was featured in the March issue of “The Linking Ring” in 1998. He received two more honors as a result of his publishing in the official journal of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Sum continued to practice magic while serving in the army as part of his national service. He worked at the Hilton, Shangri-la, Lion City Hotel, Tony Romas, and the Four Seasons on a weekly basis.
He enrolled in the National University of Singapore after serving in the army. While studying English, Sociology, and Philosophy, he mastered his wizardry. He dropped out of college in his fourth year to pursue a career as a full-time magician.
In 2004, Sum made his broadcast debut when he performed at the President’s Star Charity. The performance was a huge success, raising $2.83 million in total.
Sum landed a seat on the variety show “Top Fun” in 2006 as a result of the show’s success. Despite the fact that the show was not named after him, Mediacorp Studios produced it with J.C. in mind.
In 2007, he starred in “Magic in Motion,” a 24-part series about street magic.
He produced the largest grand illusion ever staged in Southeast Asia in 2007 with his companion “Magic Babe” Ning. In front of a multitude of onlookers, he teleported from ground level to a 50-story building in only five seconds.
Sum and Ning performed “The Impossible Teleportation” on September 24, 2008. In under 2.5 seconds, they transported three people over the Singapore River.
Sum and Ning starred in “Ultimate Magic” at the Clarke Quay arena from August 2008 to August 2009. It was the first permanent illusion performance in Singapore.
Sum and Ning were featured in “Asia Uncut” in 2009. They were the first magicians to appear on the show in its history.
On June 27, 2009, he set a new world record by performing 15 illusions in under five minutes. It was the final act of the Singapore River Festival in 2009.
The next year, they competed in “Duel Mahakarya Magician” as Singapore’s representative. Magicians from all around the world competed in this Indonesian television competition.
The pair hosted one of Singapore’s first 3D television programs in 2011. The presentation included their own brand of street magic.
Sum and Ning broke yet another world record on January 7, 2012. They were able to record 100 random people’s thoughts in 51 seconds, breaking the previous record by nine seconds.
J.C. Sum has written multiple books about magic and illusions in addition to performing. Murphy’s Magic Supplies reprinted all of his publications in 2011.
“Illusionary Departures,” “The Event Illusionist,” “Equilateral,” “Urban Illusions,” “The Event Magician Volumes 1 and 2,” “Urban Underground,” “Behind the Illusions,” and “Illusionism” are only a few of his works.
Sum’s Major Projects
On January 27, 2010, he performed “The Impossible 4D Prediction,” his most amazing illusion. He anticipated the winning lottery numbers five days before the event and sealed them in an envelope that was kept under strict surveillance until the event.
It was revealed on the day of the event that he correctly predicted the winning numbers. This generated a lot of interest from all across the world.
Sum and Ning started the “3 Sides of Magic” in 2012. The duo’s techniques that have made them so successful are taught to aspiring magicians on this international lecture tour.
Awards and Achievements: In 1999, the International Brotherhood of Magicians presented him with two linking awards.
At the International Festival of Magic in Bangladesh in 2005, he was named “Master of Magic.”
In 2009, he received the Merlin Award from the International Magicians Society for “Most Original Illusionist of the Year.”
In 2013, the International Brotherhood of Magicians presented him with an award for Outstanding Achievement and Contribution to Magic.
Estimated Net worth
J C Sum is one of the wealthiest magicians and one of the most well-known. J C Sum’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million.
Trivia
The sum is the author of six books and the holder of three world records.