Singapore is getting a lot of air time these days.

But perhaps, not enough, going by what some people think or know about Singapore.

Come June 12, the eyes of the world will descend upon Singapore as the Trump-Kim summit becomes a real thing.

However, even before the summit, Singapore has already held various A-list shows by artistes from around the world -- including actor and comedian, Kevin Hart.

In a recent appearance in talkshow Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Hart shared about his experience doing a show in Singapore, and how humour cuts across language and geographical boundaries.

Hart's show in Singapore took place two years ago in 2016, at the Suntec Convention Centre.

If you're saving data, here's a partial transcript of what was said between Hart and Kimmel, starting from 1min 25sec:

Kevin: I think laughter is the one thing that we all share. I've been saying it for so long. Regardless of where you are, who you are -- we all laugh.

Jimmy: What if you don't speak English? What if the people don't speak English? How do you handle that?

Kevin: What I found out, what happens is, I go to these other countries, and the people that do speak English come, but the people that don't speak English know what is going on and they know me, and they look at the other people, and while they laugh, they just laugh and look at me. And I'm like, it must be good. It must be good.

Jimmy: That's when you know you're funny, when the people don't even know what you're saying, and they're laughing.

Kevin: But it's weird because you can get the eye contact. I've literally made eye contact with a man that had no idea what I was talking about. I was in Singapore, and I'm telling a joke, and he was like [re-enacting the forced laughter] I was like, yo, he was going to throw me off because when I say the punch line, I gave like the hardest delivery of the punch line, the crowd was like, ha. And he looked at the other person, he's like [Kevin mimics the man's awkward attempt to laugh along] I was like all right, all right buddy. If you like it, I love it. If you like it, I love it.

Jimmy: Yeah, because musicians will come through, and often times they're amazed that people in countries like Singapore know the lyrics to their song. But to be a comedian and have that -

Kevin: - it's unheard of!

Jimmy: It really is unheard of.

English-speaking

What can Singaporeans take away from this minor exchange between Hart and Kimmel?

If Singaporeans' first reaction was to feel shocked and offended, there's no need to.

This show is, after all, show business.

But it is, in fact, a clear indication that people beyond our shores know or care next to nothing about us and our existence.

If Singapore ceases to exist tomorrow, it will not make a difference to the rest of the world.

Whether we are fluent in English, or we have world-class educational institutions, is also beside the point.

This is a geopolitical reality for price-takers, such as Singapore.

No one in the world owes Singapore a living, which is why, there is always a need for Singapore to punch above its weight and assert itself in ways to stand out.

Such as hosting the Trump-Kim summit.

So, whether they make ignorant comments or not, we can continue surprising foreigners. In our own ways.

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Top image via Jimmy Kimmel Live's YouTube channel