"What we see may not be real, and what is real we may not see," says Phng Li Kim, host of Syfy's The Paranormal Zone.
‘Ghosts’, ‘spirits’, and ‘demons’ may be considered taboo words for some of us; topics related to the supernatural theme that we never discussed about but for host Phng Li Kim, she explores cemeteries, walks through haunted houses and interviews religious experts - all in the name of 'learning'.
InCinemas sat down with this ‘gung-ho’ female host as she tells us more about her journey filming The Paranormal Zone, letting us in on rituals, discoveries and an incident she’ll never forget.
InCinemas: Hi Li Kim, can you tell us more about The Paranormal Zone?
Li Kim: The Paranormal Zone is a programme that cover stories that are unexplained, explores with the unseen and the unknown. The main objective is to provide content that has substance and also sufficient entertainment value. Most importantly it is done with the purpose of creating understanding so to reduce or eliminate fear in people’s mind, with regards to that unknown and unseen.
InCinemas: Is there a pre-show ritual that you usually would do?
LK: Yes, I will pray but it’s all done on a private level. It’s not something that we do part of the show. I pray before (we travel to) the location, and on location I will respectfully inform my environment of our arrival and why.
InCinemas: Was there an episode that left a great impression on you?
LK: I would say that in season 2, we covered a house that was abandoned for 20 years or more and the story was the whole family was murdered there. That particular episode in season 2 was about space healing and space clearing – using sound (music or a high pitch melody) and light (cold energy).
It was very impactful for me because while we were there, we experienced energy of little children and in my head I could see and feel that it was a child. The master told me that it was a little boy, between the ages of 10 and 12, obviously murdered against his wish. When he left his human form, he was very angry, so when we actually barged into his room because that door just wouldn’t open, the stench of death and the energy was literally ‘bam’ in the face!
That was one of the things that really stuck to me. Being a mother of 3 boys, these things just get to me.
InCinemas: Do you share your experiences with your family members and what are their reactions like, especially your sons?
LK: My two elder boys, 15 and 12 are a little bit cool, like 'my mom is on television'. My younger one who is 9, he will watch (the programme), ask questions and I will sit down with him to explain. I don’t want his 9-year-old mind to be affected by fear but more by understanding. So when he actually watches the show, he isn’t afraid but is curious.
InCinemas: Were you interested in paranormal activities from a young age?
LK: No, the opposite actually. When I was younger, I was afraid of the dark and couldn’t watch a scary show or horror film. Even if it’s a trailer of a horror film in the cinemas, I will walk to the toilet and wouldn’t go anywhere alone. I will drag my parents or my brother!
When the time came and this came along, I was inspired by my spiritual teacher. Now I have the opportunity to take away that fear from people’s minds. I am sure that many people, maybe even into their adulthood are afraid and scared. I think fear begets fear, so with information, I am able to make people understand the situation better; reduce fear because of comprehension and information.
InCinemas: Paranormal activities or rituals vary from culture to traditions and sometimes religions as well, so how do you approach each journey to it?
LK: I approach each shoot with an open mind. I have a good team that supports the show and I am focused on Asian stories: the cultures, beliefs and practices. We have access to some history and we research into the history to come to an understanding why this particular culture or particular village, and why they have their own practice.
I do a lot of research to have some kind of control over the situation, or I would like to think that I do have, so as to ensure that the information I am giving to the audience is authentic.
InCinemas: So what is the most challenging part on being on the show?
LK: Not getting anything.
InCinemas: Oh! So were there days where you went back empty-handed, so to speak?
LK: No, we will always find a story worth sharing or information that is empowering and informative but there was one in the haunted house that I really was at my last 30 minutes because all my (camera) batteries have gone flat. I was alone (in the house) while the crew was outside because we wanted minimum human energy; we wanted ‘them’ to participate. It was the last 30 minutes when I spoke out loud and said I only had one camera left and I would have to leave without anything but I am here to have people understand you. It was that last 30 minutes that we caught everything.
InCinemas: Wow! So you do ‘communicate’ with them?
LK: I don’t communicate with them in the sense of what people are expecting me to, like a physic or go into a full-fledged communication. No I don’t because I don’t have that ability but I communicate as in I express myself respectfully into the environment.
InCinemas: Are there specific days or festivals that you and your crew avoid filming? (Eg. Hungry Ghost Month)
LK: I am a spiritual person and because of that, I am not superstitious, as I do not have all that beliefs. However, I am compassionate and respectful; if my crew or people I want to interview are superstitious and they feel that they do not want to be filmed during the ghost month, I respect that and won’t insist on it.
InCinemas: Talking about interviewees, how do you get them to open up about their experiences and expertise in front of the camera since most information are usually kept at a very private level.
LK: I’m not coming with a manner that says ‘I’m here to dispute or to prove you wrong’. I don’t have that. I am curious and I want to explore to benefit others by giving them information that people can understand and reduce fear. With that kind of openness of me being a normal person with not so much knowledge that is intimidating to others maybe? I kind of have a good instinct. I can tell that if the people I work with are uncomfortable and I try to break the ice. When they are comfortable with you, I can get good information.
InCinemas: You will be exploring places in Singapore for the 3rd season of The Paranormal Zone. Can you tell us more about that?
LK: Singapore is going to be exciting because season 3 will cover Singapore with the production with Syfy. It has opened up my opportunity and space, and Singapore is the first place that I will be embarking.
We’re looking at the dream location that is Changi Hospital, but we are also looking to explore stories in Bedok, St John Island and somewhere in Tanglin. So yeah, research is in progress.
InCinemas: What will be your advice or motivation for people who are fearful of paranormal, supernatural happenings to watch your show?
LK: Personally I always feel people should leave without fear. I know we are all afraid of something. We are afraid of a heartbreak, illness, aging and all. You are already afraid and living in fear of all these so if we can still continue what we do when we know we already have fear, why do we want to add on to be afraid of something we don’t even see? It is there but it has not harmed you so why live with additional fear when there is a programme called The Paranormal Zone hosted by Li Kim that is going to strengthen your knowledge and eliminate one fear in life.
You heard her! Catch The Paranormal Zone Season 1 every Monday, premiering tonight (29 September 2014) on Syfy (Starhub Cable TV Channel 517) at 10.25pm!Seasons Two and Three will air on Syfy, sequentially.