By2

Miko Bai Wei Fen and her twin sister, Yumi Bai Wei Ling (born in Singapore on 23 March 1992) are a Singapore based duo known as "By2". Miko and Yumi are both 16 and have yet to complete their General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level Studies in Singapore. This duo band is loosely categorized as belonging to either hip hop or rock genres. They are both under a 10-year contract by Ocean Butterflies Music Pte Ltd, helmed by Billy Koh. Since young age, both of the twin sisters have been exposed to performing arts and have learned the violin and ballet dancing. As they reached adolescence, their passion for performing grew and they picked up more performing skills. They joined the Chinese Folk Dance in their secondary school, Yio Chu Kang Secondary School, as part of their co-curricular activity. At the tender age of 13, both of them joined the Ocean Butterflies' Music Forest's "Very Singer" training course. The course aims to teach singer-wannabes how to perform on stage and techniques in singing and dancing. They graduated from the course clinching a "Best Costume Design" award. However, Billy Koh and members of Ocean Butterflies Music Pte Ltd noticed their talent and gave them a 10-year record deal. They were sent to other countries such as Japan, China and Taiwan to gain exposure to different forms of dance styles, as well as to enhance vocal training, stage presence and to learn formal table manners. In late 2008 when they were 16 years old, they released their first album "NC16". They had to give up their studies to further their music career and hence, did not complete their Ordinary Levels Studies, which is taken for all secondary 4 and 5 students in Singapore. Their choice of pursuing their dreams created an uproar in Singapore as the GCE Ordinary Level is considered to be a basic educational certification for employment opportunities in Singapore. Their duo band was named "By2" after their surname "Bai" and that they are twin sisters. Their father died due to cancer when Miko and Yumi were 13 years old. Their father had hoped that Miko and Yumi will not give up on their dreams under any circumstances and thus encouraging them to actively pursue their dreams of becoming singers. Before becoming famous, Yumi Bai Wei Ling had a blog which was later converted to By2's official blog. These sisters have been given different hairstyles for easy identification due to their uncanny resemblance. However, they claimed to be different in terms of personality. Miko Bai Wei Fen has been described as more introverted and quiet while her sister, Yumi Bai Wei Fen, has been described as a more extroverted and outgoing person. Meanwhile, their second album is set to be released in the summer of 2009. Their music company, Ocean Butterflies Music Pte Ltd, has intentions to further their skills such as improving their musical instruments, vocal training and dance practices. They have also sung a rap in JJ Lin (Lin Jun Jie)'s "High Fashion" in Sixology (JJ Lin album) and are slated to appear as guest stars in his upcoming wold tour concert.