State Champ Radio China
04/15/2024
From YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM’s sets to the combining of star power thanks to 88rising Futures, the promise of Asian pop music was on full display in Indio.
04/15/2024
When referencing the “Migration” tour that has endured for numerous years, in Chen Li’s memories, the prelude to each performance holds unforgettable moments. “I will stand behind two large screens awaiting the opening, and then I will witness red and green lights flashing before me. Despite the mere presence of cold iron frames surrounding the stage, for some inexplicable reason, being in that environment makes me feel remarkably familiar and secure.”
In ancient times, the entrances on both sides of the stage were known as the Tiger Gate. Once the performer steps through the Tiger Gate, regardless of what unfolds on or off the stage, The Show Must Go On. The flickering lights witnessed before the commencement of the concert evoke in Chen Li memories of “the first thing I saw when I was born.” Through the screen, she can even discern the cheers and encouragement from the front row audience, meters away. Every upcoming performance is like a newborn baby coming into the world, everything is like an unknown “migration.” Therefore, every time Chen Li steps through the Tiger Gate, the feeling is both nervous and brand new.
In relation to the “Migration” concert, Chen Li once expressed: “I hope those blue nights can provide enduring tenderness for us in the future.” She likes to use different colors to commemorate the emotions evoked in every moment, and the “Migration” associated with fish, naturally, is blue. As the various stages in the life cycle of fish progress, migration is the consequence of the fish’s adaptation to changes in the external environment. From 2019 to 2024, Chen Li has held 17 “Migration” tours. For her, “Migration” is not just a simple concert; it records the process of her growth as a singer.
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Unique Creation Styles to “Prevent Addiction”
One of Chen Li’s album was named “Fang Chen Mi,” which means “Prevent Addiction” in Chinese. In fact, this highly smooth conceptual record makes it very easy for listeners to become addicted to it. Rather than fostering an addiction to the online realm, the album aims to immerse its audience in the offline world. To promote this vision, Chen Li’s team organized a physical album photo event, encouraging recipients of the CD to unleash their creativity and share imaginative photos with one another.
The absence of an official introduction for “Fang Chen Mi” stands out in the Chinese music industry, where extensive album introductions are the norm. This departure may carry a deeper, more creative significance. Despite receiving over ten versions of album introductions, Chen Li still believes that the most fitting introduction for “Fang Chen Mi” is no introduction at all. “Just listen to the songs, there’s no need for anything fancy. If you like it, sing along a few lines. If everyone has similar experiences as those in the songs, feel free to interpret them.”
The promotion methods for “Fang Chen Mi” are also unconventional. In the current era of digital music, “Fang Chen Mi” instead chose to release the physical CD version first, with the online platform release following after a period of time (partly due to copyright reasons). If listeners want to hear the entire album as soon as possible, they must purchase the physical album, evoking a nostalgic sensation reminiscent of using a Discman to listen to music in the 1990s, and thus achieving a substantial physical sales volume.
This year, Chen Li will unveil her ninth album. The new project has already recorded three songs, with all lyrics penned by a good friend with whom she has never previously collaborated in music. Chen Li describes the lyrical style as “a bit more serious,” while the melodies continue to reflect her personal taste.
Chen Li on Billboard China
Yaxin Liu
Finding the Balance in Leisure
Currently, Chen Li lives in Hangzhou for the majority of time, occasionally returning to Beijing for brief stays. Unlike the bustling work environment in Beijing, in Hangzhou, Chen Li wholly embraces a “slowed down” way of life: “It is merely because the strolling environment in Hangzhou is somewhat superior. In Beijing, I have a group of old friends who care for each other like family. I simply desire to venture out independently, to a place with fewer friends, and seek tranquility, to ascertain if I can acclimate.”
On Chen Li’s Weibo account, her life in Hangzhou is vivid: the coffee shops she adores, the handicrafts she enjoys creating, the line drawings she loves to produce… Chen Li genuinely relishes this leisurely and refined lifestyle. “Many of my small hobbies can be fully realized in Hangzhou. The pace of life here is slower, and I have ample time and space to engage in numerous ‘unproductive’ activities, thus I live quite comfortably. You cannot contrive a specific life for the purpose of creation; life itself is the purpose.”
The simple sketches that appear in the physical album of “Prevent Addiction” are an authentic reflection of Chen Li’s life in Hangzhou: “Drawing is a ‘little corner’ that I particularly cherish. Drawing makes me lost in time, continuously observe and contemplate, including the precious lines and colors conjured from blank.”
“Every day, people have different desires, and I think the key is finding a balance. Sometimes you like this, sometimes like that, eat when hungry, take a nap when sleepy, get up and play when awake, these are all very simple truths.” Everything should just go with the flow. As long as one approaches life with a “playful” attitude, one can find their own balance.
–This article was written by Jifan Wang for Billboard China
Chen Li on Billboard China
Yaxin Liu
China‘s Tencent Music Entertainment Group saw its profit jump 36% to 5.22 billion yuan ($735 million) in 2023 as growth in paid subscriptions helped offset mixed results in its social media business, according to an earnings filing on Tuesday (Mar. 19). The leading music streaming company in China — Tencent Music operates QQ Music, Kugou […]
The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn’t sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company’s current ownership structure is a national security threat.
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The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are unclear.
TikTok, which has more than 150 million American users, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chinese technology firm ByteDance Ltd.
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The lawmakers contend that ByteDance is beholden to the Chinese government, which could demand access to the data of TikTok’s consumers in the U.S. any time it wants. The worry stems from a set of Chinese national security laws that compel organizations to assist with intelligence gathering.
“We have given TikTok a clear choice,” said Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. “Separate from your parent company ByteDance, which is beholden to the CCP (the Chinese Communist Party), and remain operational in the United States, or side with the CCP and face the consequences. The choice is TikTok’s.
House passage of the bill is only the first step. The Senate would also need to pass the measure for it to become law, and lawmakers in that chamber indicated it would undergo a thorough review. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he’ll have to consult with relevant committee chairs to determine the bill’s path.
President Joe Biden has said if Congress passes the measure, he will sign it.
The House vote is poised to open a new front in the long-running feud between lawmakers and the tech industry. Members of Congress have long been critical of tech platforms and their expansive influence, often clashing with executives over industry practices. But by targeting TikTok, lawmakers are singling out a platform popular with millions of people, many of whom skew younger, just months before an election.
Opposition to the bill was also bipartisan. Some Republicans said the U.S. should warn consumers if there are data privacy and propaganda concerns, while some Democrats voiced concerns about the impact a ban would have on its millions of users in the U.S., many of which are entrepreneurs and business owners.
“The answer to authoritarianism is not more authoritarianism,” said Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif. “The answer to CCP-style propaganda is not CCP-style oppression. Let us slow down before we blunder down this very steep and slippery slope.”
Ahead of the House vote, a top national security official in the Biden administration held a closed-door briefing Tuesday with lawmakers to discuss TikTok and the national security implications. Lawmakers are balancing those security concerns against a desire not to limit free speech online.
“What we’ve tried to do here is be very thoughtful and deliberate about the need to force a divestiture of TikTok without granting any authority to the executive branch to regulate content or go after any American company,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, the bill’s author, as he emerged from the briefing.
TikTok has long denied that it could be used as a tool of the Chinese government. The company has said it has never shared U.S. user data with Chinese authorities and won’t do so if it is asked. To date, the U.S. government also has not provided any evidence that shows TikTok shared such information with Chinese authorities. The platform has about 170 million users in the U.S.
The security briefing seemed to change few minds, instead solidifying the views of both sides.
“We have a national security obligation to prevent America’s most strategic adversary from being so involved in our lives,” said Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y.
But Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., said no information has been shared with him that convinces him TikTok is a national security threat. “My opinion, leaving that briefing, has not changed at all,” he said.
“This idea that we’re going to ban, essentially, entrepreneurs, small business owners, the main way how young people actually communicate with each other is to me insane,” Garcia said.
“Not a single thing that we heard in today’s classified briefing was unique to TikTok. It was things that happen on every single social media platform,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif.
Republican leaders have moved quickly to bring up the bill after its introduction last week. A House committee approved the legislation unanimously, on a 50-vote, even after their offices were inundated with calls from TikTok users demanding they drop the effort. Some offices even shut off their phones because of the onslaught.
Lawmakers in both parties are anxious to confront China on a range of issues. The House formed a special committee to focus on China-related issues. And Schumer directed committee chairs to begin working with Republicans on a bipartisan China competition bill.
Senators are expressing an openness to the bill but suggested they don’t want to rush ahead.
“It is not for me a redeeming quality that you’re moving very fast in technology because the history shows you make a lot of mistakes,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.
In pushing ahead with the legislation, House Republicans are also creating rare daylight between themselves and former President Donald Trump as he seeks another term in the White House.
Trump has voiced opposition to the effort. He said Monday that he still believes TikTok poses a national security risk but is opposed to banning the hugely popular app because doing so would help its rival, Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss.
As president, Trump attempted to ban TikTok through an executive order that called “the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by companies in the People’s Republic of China (China)” a threat to “the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States.” The courts, however, blocked the action after TikTok sued, arguing such actions would violate free speech and due process rights.
Liu Lian’s debut solo EP, Don’t Speak, Just Kiss, unveils her exploration of love through three self-penned and composed songs. Departing momentarily from the familiar jazz stylings of the band Mr. Miss, Liu Lian ventures into the realm of self-expression as a solo artist, unveiling a profound understanding of self-love through forays into new musical genres like dream pop.
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As a maiden voyage into solo artistry, Don’t Speak, Just Kiss encapsulates Liu Lian’s current authentic essence. Having become accustomed to the vocal intricacies and creative trajectory as the frontwoman of Mr. Miss, Liu Lian’s transition from the security of the band into the uncharted waters of her solo career has been a transformative journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Symbolized by the “Love Airline” motif in Don’t Speak, Just Kiss, she encourages listeners to embark on a proactive journey toward self-discovery and fulfillment. The EP cover’s re-creation of the iconic “victory kiss” scene within an airplane cabin symbolizes the transformative power of decisive action over passive waiting.
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In Liu Lian’s vision, each seat within the cabin represents a microcosm of life’s diverse experiences. From solitary travelers finding solace to lovers entwined in intimate whispers, each vignette reflects facets of human existence. Notably, the blurred figure embraced by Liu Lian on the EP cover hints at a symbolic embrace of her own multifaceted identity within this tableau.
Lian Liu for Billboard China
Yaxin Liu
Love Others, Speak Less, Kiss More
In the EP’s standout title track, Liu Lian beautifully captures the essence of love and longing: using our bodies to embrace, kiss and love passionately. Embracing the idea that love may not last forever, why not enjoy the present, live fully, speak less, and kiss deeply – this is what life is about. In Liu Lian’s touching lyrics: “The most profound expression of humanity is found in kissing.”
In China, talking about desires can be uncomfortable. Some fans hesitated to share a song titled “Don’t Speak, Just Kiss” on social media. The reactions not only surprised Liu Lian, but also highlighted the EP’s importance. It helps people overcome their inhibitions from a new perspective. Liu Lian said, “It’s a great achievement. There’s no shame in desires; love is what matters most.”
In Chinese, the word “we” sounds the best. Love is about moving from “I” to “we,” from being alone to being together. Liu Lian believes that to love others, you must first love yourself. Courage isn’t always needed to love. When you truly care for someone, courage comes naturally when showing that love. If you struggle with courage, it might be because you don’t love yourself enough or feel unworthy, which can make it hard to give or accept the love you deserve.
The upcoming romantic movie You Whom I Lost, set to premiere in March, will feature Liu Lian in her big-screen debut as the female lead’s best friend. Having released an EP centered around love and starring in a romantic film, Liu Lian, acclaimed as an intellectual in love relationships, reflects on the word “love” feeling somewhat distant from her: ” It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve thought about love. I admire people who do crazy things for love; they seem really happy. Love can make you feel obsessed and act impulsively, unlike how you normally would. But it seems like I can’t act like that anymore.”
Lian Liu for Billboard China
Yaxin Liu
Loving Music Takes Action
Since 2017, on each anniversary of her birth, Liu Lian has unveiled a solitary opus that leans more toward personal introspection. Don’t Speak, Just Kiss signifies Liu Lian’s inaugural venture into complete artistic autonomy as a soloist.
“When I start creating music on my own, some traces of the group’s style may still be present,” Liu Lian says of her time in Mr. Miss. “While working alone, I focus on crafting melodies with precision, similar to performing surgery. My creative process is not just about reflecting on myself; it also involves exploring imagination and fiction to express my thoughts and observations from that time.”
Transitioning from nostalgic ’90s vibes to contemporary atmospheres prevalent in today’s musical landscape, when discussing the trajectory of her forthcoming debut full-length album, Liu Lian candidly concedes that she is still in the process of exploration: “Truthfully, I am most intrigued to discern the musical path preferred by my audience after this EP. I aspire for the album’s thematic essence to be more defined than that of the EP. This year, my aim is to compose and release additional compositions to delineate a distinctive musical signature for ‘Liu Lian.’”
To promote this EP, Liu Lian orchestrated an online collaborative initiative titled ” Don’t Speak, Embrace Creation,” where enthusiasts collectively contributed to a single document that has garnered thousands of submissions thus far. “Numerous young individuals expound upon facets intimately entwined with their existence—be it parental wake-up calls at dawn or anecdotes pertaining to exam preparations—rendering their narratives relatable and vivacious in both prose style and lyrical cadence.”
Liu Lian had perennially navigated the musical landscape under the guise of an autonomous ensemble, seldom venturing into other facets of the recording industry. This occasion marked her deep-seated partnership with Tencent Music Entertainment Group, embracing a more industrialized production approach to unveil a personal EP, affording Liu Lian an immersive involvement in every facet of the album: from inception to production to dissemination… Truly an invigorating firsthand encounter for Liu Lian.
“I tried to handle everything on my own, from making music to working with producers. This helped me learn a lot about making albums, the Chinese music industry, and solve many mysteries. Working with TME has been great; they help me choose songs and remind me of what to do next in the production process. Brainstorming about music with someone who thinks like me is really valuable.”
–Written by Jifan Wang for Billboard China
Lian Liu for Billboard China
Yaxin Liu
As twilight adorns the sky with its ethereal canvas, the horizon’s resplendent clouds mirror the trilogy of Xiao Xia albums reflecting upon Huang Qishan’s midlife journey. Literary aficionados have long employed the expression “the sunset’s lingering glow weaves a tapestry of magnificence” to metaphorically depict the enduring allure that graces the conclusion of a literary masterpiece. In the wake of experiencing Xiao Xia 3.0, listeners are left in awe, echoing a sentiment of profound appreciation akin to that sublime celestial phenomenon: The Sunset Radiance Transformed Into Exquisite Grandeur.
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Spanning the better part of a decade, Qishan Huang, born as Huang Xiaoxia, has serenely completed her Xiao Xia musical saga. As if charting the cartography of her soul from her vivacious 20s through the profound 30s to the contemplative 40s, each iteration of Xiao Xia encapsulates the multifaceted essence of a woman’s pilgrimage through life.
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The limited-edition vinyl version of Xiao Xia 3.0 swiftly sold out after its online release. The vinyl format, with its rich warmth and pristine clarity, seems destined to align seamlessly with the very essence of Xiao Xia, fully embodying its serene beauty and introspective tranquility.
Unlike CDs, vinyl records were once a less popular medium for music consumption, much like the initially underestimated Xiao Xia album. With the resurgence of vinyl records in recent years, Xiao Xia, like vinyl, has once again emerged as a coveted trend, a development that seems utterly unexpected to Qishan a decade ago.
Upon closer examination of the album cover of Xiao Xia 3.0, one discerns a tearful Xiao Xia bidding farewell to her youth. Intriguingly, at the very moment when tears fall, Qishan also smiles and playfully sticks out her tongue, serendipitously catching the tear that glides down from her eye. This subtle yet powerful touch silently and eloquently conveys the album’s central theme.
Commencing with 1.0, each cover of Xiao Xia has consistently incorporated the image of a headscarf. “I have experienced marriage before, but I have never had a formal wedding ceremony. The headscarf worn by Xiao Xia means that even if women choose not to pursue marriage, it does not necessarily imply a disinterest in wedding dresses. Ultimately, women retain their belief in love, but is marriage an indispensable requirement? Not necessarily. This represents a form of acceptance; each individual possesses the autonomy to determine how they wish to navigate their life.”
In Time, We Laugh With Tears
From the Xiao Xia 3.0 album, the song that most profoundly moved listeners to tears is undoubtedly the title track “Xiao Xia.” Huang Qishan candidly admits that when it comes to shedding tears, she possesses no semblance of personal boundaries: “I am completely uninhibited when it comes to crying; I readily share my entire spectrum of emotions with others, whether they be joyous or sorrowful. This is because the song ‘Xiao Xia’ is profoundly worthy of our tears. It transcends the realm of a mere musical composition; it embodies something that appears simultaneously simple and insignificant, yet also grand and magnificent.”
Spanning the journey from the southbound train in the 1990s to the transoceanic taxi ride, the intricate interweaving of time and space in “Xiao Xia” possesses an enchanting quality. A substantial segment of a woman’s life is encapsulated within the song’s stream-of-consciousness lyrics. Life follows a predictable trajectory—beginning with unwavering certainty, it gradually transitions into uncertainty. Xiao Xia’s perception of herself and the world around her underwent profound and transformative changes. Having reached the age of self-awareness, Qishan can finally affirm with unwavering conviction: “This version of you is valiant.”
The lyrics of “Xiao Xia” include the line: “Swiping through social media, everyone is discussing my appearance.” From her vibrant pink hair and provocative miniskirts to her energetic dance moves, Qishan’s fearlessly transformative appearances in recent years have undoubtedly subverted everyone’s preconception of her “After joining the dance troupe at the age of fifteen, I never danced again. Rediscovering the joy of dance at the age of 50 feels simply marvelous. Life should be an engaging experience; continuously learning new skills is essential. Maintaining a zest for life enables you to grasp the fleeting essence of youth”
Qishan Huang for Billboard China
Yaxin Liu
Let Us Move On Together
Another emotionally resonant moment in “Xiao Xia” occurs towards the end of the song, when a chorus of backing vocals gradually joins in, transforming the initial soft solo into a powerful collective voice. This transition amplifies the emotional impact of the line, “Oh, so many people love me.” These backing vocals symbolically represent the music colleagues and loyal audiences who have steadfastly accompanied Qishan throughout her career. It is because of the unwavering love and support from countless individuals that Qishan has garnered the strength and courage to declare, “Let’s move on together.”
While many yearn for another album of Xiao Xia, Huang Qishan asserted during this interview that 3.0 will serve as the definitive conclusion. Although a prequel, Xiao Xia -1.0, may emerge in the future, recounting her childhood experiences from before the age of 20 to her teenage years, there will not be a Xiao Xia 4.0. “There won’t be a 4.0; in life, it is sometimes necessary to conclude at an appropriate juncture. I am uncertain when this childhood Xiao Xia album will materialize; perhaps I will create it when inspiration strikes.”
Nevertheless, the Xiao Xia that Huang Qishan has bestowed upon the world and herself is already deeply embedded in the hearts of every attentive listener. As a heartfelt gesture, the behind-the-scenes team of Xiao Xia prepared a unique surprise for her — each member inscribed their signatures on the covers of the three Xiao Xia albums. Qishan was overwhelmed with emotions, “there has been an empty wall in my house for several years, and now suddenly there is something to adorn it. It feels as though this wall has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of these precious gifts.”
–Written by Jifan Wang for Billboard China
Qishan Huang for Billboard China
Yaxin Liu
On Dec. 22-23, Shan Yichun hosted her inaugural solo concert “Please Me” at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center. The tickets for the Dec. 23 performance were sold out within seconds, leading the organizers to announce an additional show on the 22nd. The fact that her debut concert was a sold-out success attests to Shan Yichun’s considerable popularity.
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Over the past three years, Yichun has amassed numerous impressive works and garnered a large following. From achieving the title of national singing competition champion to finally holding her own solo concert, this moment in time is opportune for Yichun. “Now is the perfect time for a concert. Compared to when I first debuted, my current state, including my abilities in various aspects, is more mature.”
Compared to other emerging singers who debuted around the same time, Shan Yichun is undoubtedly fortunate. She first gained acclaim on a national platform and subsequently released the critically acclaimed album Courage. In addition to appearing on various music variety shows, she has also performed theme songs for many popular TV dramas. Now, she has her own solo concert… Opportunities are always given to those who are prepared. Yichun worked hard and ultimately amazed everyone.
To reach this point today, the 22-year-old Shan Yichun has been preparing silently for a long time. From courageously stepping onto the stage of a singing competition to creating her own representative works, Yichun has gradually gained enough confidence to hold a concert that is entirely her own. In Shan Yichun’s eyes, the theme of the “Please Me” concert reflects her current true feelings — instead of pleasing the world, Shan Yichun now wants to please herself more.
“I hope that my state can be as self-consistent as possible and please myself first. This is the most important thing I want to accomplish at this stage. Because I know that my fans, family and colleagues at the record company, everyone has their own different expectations of me.”
The First Love & Attempts Are Unbreakable
In 2023, Shan Yichun encountered numerous unforgettable “firsts.” In addition to headlining her inaugural solo concert in December, she also made her debut as a special guest at Eric Chou’s concert in Shanghai in October. It marked the first instance in Shan Yichun’s life that she was featured as a guest for another vocalist. “I am genuinely honored. Eric Chou is a seasoned luminary in the realm of music, and performing with him on stage was an exceptionally memorable experience. Being a guest at his concert has provided me with a fresh perspective for my own performances.”
Singing Eric Chou’s “Unbreakable Love” in a singing competition was where many audiences first encountered Shan Yichun. From singing the song on a TV show to performing it alongside the original singer several years later, Yichun finds the “miracle of fate” quite remarkable. “‘Unbreakable Love’ is an emotional connection between me and my fans, and many of them got to know me through this song. I am grateful and cherish both my fans’ support and Eric Chou’s assistance.”
Her debut album Courage earned Shan Yichun the best new artist award at the first TME “Wave Music Awards”; this was also a unanimous affirmation from over a hundred music industry judges. “This award is a great encouragement for me because there is only one chance for a new artist award in a lifetime. I hope to make better quality music in the future and continue to uphold good music standards.”
Courage is an album in which Yichun strives to “please herself.” Singing theme songs for movies and TV shows pleases the audience of those productions, while participating in music variety shows pleases the audience of those online platforms, but only a complete concept album is what truly pleases the singer herself.
Courage has allowed Shan Yichun to understand more about the musical direction she excels in. When it comes to the style of her next album, Shan Yichun hopes to explore more diverse musical possibilities in terms of content expression.
Growing Freely, Moving Forward Together With the Audience
When participating in the competition, many viewers praised Shan Yichun’s singing voice, as if it were born with a soul. Everyone said, “Shan Yichun sings so well,” and the ethereal voice that strikes the soul is why so many fans wholeheartedly fell in love with Yichun. But in Yichun’s view, she doesn’t rely purely on her innate talent for singing. Even for the most acclaimed ballads, Yichun has undergone long periods of practice and learning to sing as well as she does now.
On Yichun’s personal Weibo, there is a tag called “#Shan Yichun’s Life Sketch#.” She will update her life segments from time to time and record some interesting life fragments. “I want to share some very beautiful moments in my life with my fans in the form of a life sketchbook. I am not someone who is particularly good at expressing love, but I just hope that I can establish some emotional connections with my fans through this method.”
Finding one’s own pace of life is important, just as Shan Yichun said to her fans in the comments section of her new single “Wonder”: “Everyone has their own rhythm; we are not in a hurry, take it slow.”
Shan Yichun once wrote a very touching message to her fans on Weibo: “Thank you for your love, which allows me to grow freely. I hope that we can always accompany each other in the future and bravely move forward together.” It is the unwavering love from the fans that supports Yichun to where she is today, allowing her to continue being herself completely. Don’t forget, the premise of “pleasing oneself” is first learning to “mutually please.”
The two-way love allows Yichun to never lose touch with her audience.
Shan Yichun
Tianyao Wang/Billboard China
–Written by Wang Jifan
The number 21 holds a special significance for Nicholas Teo, who has been in the industry for more than two decades. It’s akin to a “coming-of-age ceremony” for his career. Nicholas named his tour “The 21st Story,” a simple yet direct idea. Having spent over two decades in the limelight, Nicholas has gained a profound understanding of life and no longer fixates on the gains and losses.
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While Nicholas still appreciates his early works, he feels that some songs from his first and second albums no longer resonate with him. In this concert, he aims to express himself more sincerely and chooses every song that resonates with him at this moment.
Even for national hits like “Love Is the Answer” and “Tears From Polaris,” Nicholas wants to present them in a different and interesting way. He collaborates with the music director and band teachers to discuss their feelings and understanding of each song. They may adjust the arrangement direction, such as incorporating a jazz flavor, to give these classic songs a new musical appearance and make them more interesting.
“The 21st Story” is Nicholas’s first official concert tour in mainland China. With his life story full of flesh and blood 21 years since his debut, Nicholas hopes to bring this concert to more cities he has never been to, meet fans whom he hasn’t seen for a long time, and create a new chapter of deep empathy through music. Tickets for the first stop in Shenzhen (Nov. 25) sold out shortly after they were released, and tickets for the second stop in Chengdu (Dec. 9) also sold quickly. More new shows will be unlocked in the future.
“White Night”: A Warm and Reserved Self-Dialogue
After a hiatus of five years from the Chinese music scene, Nicholas finally unveiled his latest EP, White Night, earlier this year. Although he may have slowed down his pace of music releases in recent years, it does not imply a deviation from his musical path. On the contrary, Nicholas has dedicated his heart and soul to each song and album, rendering his music distinct and exceptional. From “To Be…Nicholas” in 2015 to “The Best Is Yet to Come” in 2018, and now White Night in 2023, Nicholas’ musical odyssey has propelled him further and further.
The innovative design of the album’s packaging, featuring a fragmented mirror effect, invites listeners to introspect upon their own emotions and thoughts while engaging with the songs in White Night. The popular track “Innocuous” best embodies Nicholas’s present state of life: “I create music that I adore and present my authentic self through these songs. ‘No Harm Done’ closely aligns with my current state of existence. I increasingly recognize that no one is flawless, and no creation is flawless.”
The love songs in White Night depart from Nicholas’s previous repertoire. They emanate a mature perspective on love. For instance, “Unrequited Love” conveys profound anguish without resorting to heart-wrenching cries, while “Symptomless” showcases an insightful comprehension of life after years of experience. Evolving over time, Nicholas has acquired the ability to introspectively articulate his emotions through his music.
In his forthcoming concert tour, “The 21st Story,” Nicholas aspires to perform an array of works from the past decade, enabling the audience to perceive his personal growth through his music. He has realigned his musical direction to remain true to himself. He desires those who have recently discovered him through a variety of shows to witness his authenticity on stage.
After “Call Me by Fire”: A More Open-minded Nicholas
In “Call Me by Fire,” Nicholas expands the audience’s boundless imagination of him: He possesses capabilities beyond standing silently at the center of the stage and crooning love songs. Nicholas relishes every transformation that each stage brings: “The most remarkable aspect is when it occurs at the opportune moment. I aspire to maintain sincerity in sharing my music. I will give my utmost, not necessarily achieving perfection, but exerting my utmost effort.”
On the debut stage of “Call Me by Fire,” Nicholas’ simple Weibo post stating “I’m fine, I’m back” instantaneously moved fans who had followed him for countless years. Over the past 21 years, Nicholas may not have been as active as he is this year, but these dormant periods have ultimately fostered the unwavering confidence he possesses now that he has “returned.” From Nicholas’s perspective, an artist’s duty is to continually produce output. “If you fail to learn to rest and expose yourself to more input, you will easily become depleted. I hope to grant myself a moment of tranquility so that I may generate fresh creations.”
One method by which Nicholas reinvigorates himself is by aimlessly exploring cities during his travels. “I am not the type of individual who meticulously plans their itinerary in advance. It feels excessively laborious. Just like when I spontaneously decided to take classes in New York, it was an impromptu decision. After registering online and booking my flight and hotel, I promptly embarked on my journey. During one year in Tokyo, I had already boarded the bus to Disney, but then I pondered: why should I visit Disney alone? So, I disembarked from the bus. I do not necessarily visit tourist attractions and capture photographs. Instead, I might relish a cup of coffee, engage in shopping, and abstain from setting lofty expectations for myself.”
Participating in diverse music variety shows has taught Nicholas to be more carefree and at ease with his true self: “When recording variety shows, certain aspects can be challenging. I also wish to express gratitude to myself for persevering until the end and gradually revealing a more endearing and authentic side of Nicholas to everyone. This is likely the most favorable arrangement along the journey. I desire to pat myself on the back and say, ‘Nicholas, you have exerted tremendous effort.’”
Nicholas Teo
Tianyao Wang/Billboard China
Once upon a time, Rene Liu was accustomed to being an “aviator” who was constantly on the move. She used to embark on numerous flights annually, accumulating countless miles, traversing the globe to record music, film movies, attend film festivals, promote albums, and embark on concert expeditions. However, after experiencing several years of grounded days and profound moments of “off-duty,” Rene Liu finally realized that many things are not inevitable.
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The theme of Rene Liu’s “Final Call” concert tour was actually determined as early as 2019. However, due to various circumstances, it wasn’t until 2023 that the concert finally had the opportunity to meet the audience in mainland China. As the “Captain of Ying Airlines,” Rene Liu cherishes the reunion with fans she hasn’t seen in a long time or met for the first time: “Each concert bestows upon me the sensation of reuniting with old acquaintances, and anticipation is abundant in the interim.”
Flight days, akin to life itself, are replete with uncertainties. Perhaps it is these “uncertainties” that render the journey intriguing. Rene Liu has learned to embrace change: “Every time, I peruse the weather forecast several days in advance. Be it rain or shine, there are peaks and valleys. Once, there was torrential rain, and even the staff couldn’t take off, so I lodged overnight at the airport hotel. I pondered what I should do. However, on the second day, amidst the midnight hour, the staff arrived to pick me up at 5:50 am, and I embarked on an early morning flight, advancing a day ahead through a transfer.”
Hence, even when encountering extreme weather conditions such as hailstones at Nanjing Station, she opts to remain composed: “Nowadays, I exhibit greater composure in the face of uncertainties. It appears that I am not as apprehensive as before. My mood has transformed, and I seem to be more leisurely, enabling me to confront matters with equanimity.” This confidence stems from Rene Liu’s boundless trust in her longstanding team. Regardless of any unforeseen circumstances that arise on the journey, everyone collaborates to devise solutions and ensure seamless performances.
Throughout the way to present “Final Call” in various locales, Rene Liu has even experienced dashing frantically at airports with her team to catch connecting flights. “Every cog in our team is tightly fastened. The entire team operates at a velocity akin to flight when it comes to changing dozens of plane tickets overnight, makeup artists preparing in advance, and musicians readying themselves ahead of time. They will find every possible avenue for me, be it driving, sailing, or taking a high-speed train, ensuring my safe arrival at the concert venue.”
Rene Liu describes that to be part of the “Final Call” team, one must possess robust adaptability and a strong heart. On the morning of the Kaohsiung concert, Rene Liu made a spontaneous decision to include the song “Epitome” (the theme song of the TV drama “Women in Taipei”). After deliberating with colleagues from Bin-music, everything promptly sprang into action: arrangement, performance, lighting, stage design… The entire “Final Call” team operated at a velocity akin to flight.
To ensure that each “Final Call” takes off as scheduled, Rene Liu has persisted in exercising and enhancing her physical fitness. She even studies methods for skin whitening with netizens. All these unwavering efforts are undertaken to deliver an enhanced concert experience. Naturally, embarking on a world tour is an arduous undertaking: “Four-sided stages necessitate greater physical stamina since walking on stage entails more steps than three-sided stages. I must jog offstage after changing costumes.”
“An individual’s energy and focus are intertwined with their physical fitness. After all, my age has changed; one can no longer rely solely on resilience. Now, occasionally after singing ‘Love You So Much,’ I feel a slight dizziness. Perhaps it is because I haven’t eaten enough and have become suitably hungry in order to ensure a better fit for the costumes. I aspire for an improvement in my condition. This constitutes a professional performer’s duty; I must honor my work and give my utmost.”
In addition to adjusting her schedule to ensure she retires before 9:00 pm, Rene Liu also prepares her luggage in advance to swiftly transition into work mode. Apart from the “Final Call” concert tour, Rene Liu has numerous other work engagements as a singer, actress, and director. Various new projects are primed for action. Rene Liu also yearns for more opportunities for audiences to witness her diverse works.
Rene Liu
Mingsheng Chen/Billboard China
Fly to Somewhere Further Away and Meet Old Friends
“Final Call,” this year’s mainland tour, has taken flight to cities where Rene Liu rarely has the opportunity to perform. In fact, many years ago, Rene Liu personally arrived at these places. “During that time, as long as I could reach a place, no matter how far, I was willing to grace everyone with a performance. I often spent over ten hours in a car, from daytime until midnight, journeying from one province to another, witnessing even the abbreviations of the province on the license plate change to different characters…”
In the bygone era when there was no mobile network or power bank, the high-speed rail network was yet incomplete, and flight schedules were not as frequent as they are now, Rene Liu embarked on car journeys across provinces just to meet local fans: “To be honest, I often ponder… as long as I can still work and sing, I will treasure the opportunity to meet everyone in this manner. Regardless of where I go, I am filled with immense joy.”
“Some concert organizers would inform me that the equipment in smaller cities is not as impeccable, but I believe it doesn’t matter. It is not easy for fans to travel to larger cities, so I prefer to visit their cities and sing for them. I believe this also lays the groundwork for the connections I speak about on the ‘Final Call’ stage. Many small cities from the past have now blossomed into major metropolises. It seems that wherever I go, I am reuniting with old friends, and the sensation is unparalleled.”
In addition to long-awaited fans, Rene Liu’s old friends also include acquaintances who occasionally make surprise appearances at different stops and become guests of “Final Call”: “My guests and I are not the type of people who need frequent contact or appointments with each other. However, when the need arises, we will all be present. The same goes for my relationship with my fans. From guests to staff to audience members, as long as you attend our show, we will shower you with boundless love.”
When performing for old friends, it is only fitting to sing some long-forgotten songs. The B-side track “Her Gentleness” from 2002 has now become a highly sought-after staple in “Final Call.” “Life is about reaching a stage where we look back and realize that there was a song dedicated to our future friends. I express my gratitude to Jonathan Lee for preserving a song like ‘Her Gentleness’ for future Rene Liu.”
“‘Her gentleness’ is a fire that cannot be casually acquired by any young girl…” Rene Liu shared that when she was young and recording in the studio, she had only a vague understanding. It is only now, singing “Her Gentleness” once again at this moment, that Rene Liu truly comprehends: it was a letter from Jonathan Lee to her. “In this era of fast food consumption, I still hold firm in my belief that there are certain things that withstand the test of time. I am also immensely grateful to the audience at the venue for granting me five minutes to listen to this song.”
Similar success has been achieved with “Heard?” from 2004: “After the release of ‘Heard?,’ it was included in the official setlist of a concert. However, when performed live, the audience response was lukewarm. Consequently, in subsequent concerts, this song was largely excluded from the setlist. Perhaps live performances cannot capture the same atmosphere and effect as recordings, and I am uncertain where this song fits within a concert. My concerts are more fluid in nature, not confined to a single song but rather stories intertwined.”
Perhaps every song has its own destiny. Nearly twenty years later, “Heard?” finally encountered its springtime. After the audience in Shenzhen sang it together, Rene Liu ultimately transformed it into a surprise inclusion at the Hangzhou stop: “I always believed ‘Heard?’ wasn’t popular, but since Wuzhen, why have more and more audience members been shouting ‘Heard?’ at my shows? Some songs are truly shouted out by everyone; even less popular songs like ‘Immortal’ have received their share of shouts.”
Behind every less popular song lies a group of individuals who deeply cherish it. The phrase “I deeply love you” in Guangzhou became the limited edition “Light up Orange Trees” at the Chongqing stop. Rene Liu genuinely felt an overwhelming sense of being loved by everyone while singing: “Some less popular songs are not sung as frequently, so when performing them, I am unsure of where my focal point lies. I never expected everyone to sing so loudly, and it moved me deeply.”
Time Flies, but Live Performance is Improvisational
On the poster of the “Final Call” concert, there is a phrase that reads, “Time flies, are you still waiting?” After experiencing stagnant days, we realize the value of opportunities that enable us to fly. It is because of this that Rene Liu has decided to seize the moment and not wait any longer. She hopes to do everything she hasn’t had the chance to do and perform in cities she hasn’t yet visited, using “flight” as a way to race against time.
Rene Liu mentioned that she has gradually adapted to the rhythm of touring: “I actually quite like the current pace. From Monday to Friday, I take care of my family, which seems more tiring than holidays. The concert, for me, is like a comfortable respite. The moment I’m picked up by a car to go to the airport, I automatically switch to the ‘female star’ status taken care of by many staff members. I also bask in the love from fans, and then I return to my daily life.”
“Final Call,” ultimately, is about not being content with no change. “When we were young, we were often taught to be content. But as human beings, we still need a bit of restlessness. Can’t we be less reality? A concert is a small act that allows you to indulge in your emotions, bringing everyone together, reaching different atmospheres and spaces through music: we go back to the past together, imagine the future together, and sing together in the present…”
In the “Final Call” tour, the most daring thing Rene Liu did was to challenge the four-sided stage for the first time in her concert career. A four-sided stage requires considering the audience sitting in different directions and involves handling many performance details with different considerations than before. “In the past, the record company asked me to do a four-sided stage, but I never agreed because I felt insecure with an audience looking at my back.”
“But later on, I slowly realized that I have toured many times, and the three-sided stage has already showcased all possible angles to the fullest. I’m not a singer-dancer, I don’t have dance music, fancy costumes, or too many sensory stimulations.” Finally, it was CEO Zhou Youyang from B’IN Live Co., Ltd. who convinced Rene Liu to try the four-sided stage. “He said that a four-sided stage would bring more audience members closer to me, from only the first ten rows being able to see clearly to more rows being able to see.”
With multiple instances of tacit cooperation, this “Final Call” tour, under the collective wisdom of B’IN Live, has also given rise to many concert elements that have amazed the audience. “My legs are not good, so B’IN Live designed a 360-degree rotating accessible stage for me. Because this stage is rich enough, I can boldly talk about some cold things on stage without fear, even without backup dancers. I’m very grateful to B’IN Live for allowing me to make the concert exactly how I want it.”
Singers may unfortunately catch a cold before a performance, and computers may suddenly crash for no reason. Live performances, like taking a flight, can encounter various unexpected situations. Learning to face and accept them is also part of Rene Liu’s daily routine. During the “Final Call” performance process, Rene Liu is also practicing how to coexist with these anxieties in peace: “The most interesting thing about live performances is that every minute is different, very present. Some things may only happen in this particular show.”
“During each concert, I aim to connect with my audience on a deeper level and resonate with them. The process of touring can easily become monotonous; therefore, I strive to provide a unique experience for fans who attend shows many times. How can we transform the same raw materials into distinct ‘dishes’ for each performance? The live experience is never the same and every city inspires a new mood that I aim to convey through my music. Each city evokes a different set of emotions and stimulates diverse imaginations.”
Regarding the overseas performances of “Final Call,” Rene Liu expressed her intention to present more renowned songs for the overseas Chinese audience: “Some spectators may have been away from their hometowns for an extended period. On the stage, I noticed that they sang even more passionately than me, including my driver. When I step onto the stage, I want to convey to them that I know everyone is well. I am gonna take the place of your families and like to greet you.”
Each destination unveils a distinct panorama. Next on the itinerary, in 2023, “Final Call” will fly to Xi’an, and in the future, it will venture to more locations. Once “Final Call” commences, it will not stop easily. During the interview, Rene Liu disclosed: This tour will undoubtedly extend into the following year, unveiling new cities. Moreover, the “Final Call” setlist will feature additional surprises with never-before-performed songs.
Fly to The Bravest Self, Fly to Seek a Better Self
The live VCR for the concert tour was meticulously directed by Kevin Ko, the talented director who helmed the film “Incantation.” Shing-Ming Ho, the screenwriter who has collaborated closely with Rene Liu for an extended period, also contributed to the creative concept of the story. This short film, which portrays the theme of “the bravest appearance in love,” became an emotional highlight for the audience. During an interview, Rene Liu acknowledged that she is always moved when she hears these courageous lines in the short film while waiting backstage for a costume change, even if she has heard them before.
“Recently, I read some articles stating that constantly looking back implies aging. However, I realized it was not true. After I stopped being a child, I often reminisce. Therefore, I believe that by looking back at the past, we can only move forward to the future. Without those experiences, how could I have become who I am today? Our audience comprises individuals at various stages of life, and I hope they can see themselves at different points in the VCR.”
In my perspective, singers like Rene Liu not only perform popular love songs but also endeavor to sing more songs about life, which exemplifies true bravery. In Rene Liu’s recent new songs, “Each Well” is a song about entering the next stage of life and learning to let go, while “Golden Age” endeavors to explore the topic of life and death. These songs, included in the “Final Call” concert playlist, imbue the entire concert with a profound depth of life.
Rene Liu’s national hits like “Later” and “Step Aside” are songs that always lead to a collective sing-along in the audience. These songs have resonated with many people’s emotional experiences. Even after singing these songs for an extended period, Rene Liu finds it remarkable that she never tires of them. This time, after accumulating countless moments in the past, it seems that everyone wants to sing along with her even more.
Regarding “Later,” a song that cannot be overlooked, as well as those songs that belong to Milk Tea and everyone together, and the love movie “Us and Them” that moved the entire nation to tears, Rene Liu couldn’t help but feel deeply touched. “Our ‘later,’ my ‘later,’ and my ‘later’ with the present are all collective memories formed by each individual. Many scenes from the past often come to my mind, and these are given to me by the audience and fans.”
The song “We Are Not Together” from 2010 is also a great song that touched many listeners during the “Final Call” concert. The slow-burning hit from back then has become a highlight of the current “Breakup Quintet.” Rene Liu jokingly calls it the “power of heartbreak.” “A friend brought her daughter to listen to my concert. Although her daughter’s idol is not me, she still listens to my songs when she’s heartbroken. Perhaps you need some experience to understand my songs, but I don’t want everyone to always be heartbroken.”
During the Quanzhou stop of the “Final Call” tour on May 20th, Rene Liu sang the theme song “Let’s Fall in Love” from the TV series “Pink Ladies.” It was the first time in over 20 years that she performed a live version of this song and it was one of the classic moments of the concert tour. In fact, Rene Liu’s role as a “marriage maniac” in “Pink Ladies,” including the single hit “A Lifetime of Loneliness,” has brought immense comfort to many people through these works.
“What are we constantly searching for?” Rene Liu endeavors to find the answer to this question together with the audience through the “Final Call” tour. Since her debut, Rene Liu has always been in sync with her fans, and in her concert, she expresses the concept of “growing up for the third time,” which means truly fearless and brave growth. On our “Final Call” in life, let’s embark on a journey with Rene Liu to find a better version of ourselves.
–This story was written by Jifan Wang for Billboard China
Rene Liu
Mingsheng Chen/Billboard China
One afternoon, Yoga Lin went to a small eatery hidden in an alley in Taipei to have a meal. “It was around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, and many shops had already closed for rest. The boss was taking a nap, and the lights in the store were turned off.” While Yoga Lin was eating his noodles, another customer suddenly came into the store. There was only one small table left, and the man with a crewcut sat down across from Yoga Lin. Because they were sitting very close to each other, Yoga Lin saw some unforgettable moments.
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Yoga Lin couldn’t be sure whether the man was a homeless person or not, but during his meal, the man took out a plastic transparent spoon from his shabby belongings. “It was a spoon with many scratches from previous use, but the man still used it carefully.” Was he afraid of being reprimanded by the owner, or did he cherish his belongings? Yoga Lin had no idea.
At that time, Yoga Lin had just released “Wordless Groans” and was promoting his new song online. But when Yoga Lin looked at the man sitting across from him, using his own spoon, he suddenly had a new idea: Could people who don’t usually use phones, like this man, have a chance to listen to his music? The radio broadcast playing in the eatery inspired Yoga Lin to make a “more direct song.”
“At that time, the radio in the store was playing popular songs, which made me suddenly realize that even a man who seemed so different from my life scene could have a chance to listen to my songs. Perhaps, when this man comes back to this store another day, he will hear ‘Garbage Baby’ while eating.” Therefore, Yoga Lin hoped to turn “Garbage Baby” into a more straightforward song that could have a positive impact on all listeners who heard it.
Many young people have already become accustomed to the convenience of the Internet era, but when we look away from the Internet, there are still many ordinary people who are busy with their daily lives offline. Yoga Lin hopes that his work can not only influence online listeners, but also provide direct comfort to those offline people who rarely have the opportunity to hear popular music. “I think that the impact of a song like ‘Garbage Baby’ may far exceed my imagination.”
“Garbage Baby” also reunited the behind-the-scenes team of “Wake Up” in 2011, 12 years later. The composer, Subyub Lee, and the lyricist, Wyman Wong, are both musicians from Hong Kong, China. Yoga Lin, who sang “Bad and Worse,” has always had a deep affection for Cantonese songs. Therefore, the Cantonese narration “Remember,” spoken by Wyman Wong himself, conveys the key message of “Remember that you are a baby, not garbage,” regardless of where you are.
“The most important message that ‘Garbage Baby’ wants to share with everyone is love. Love is sometimes like two people exchanging garbage and tolerating each other’s shortcomings. Through ‘Garbage Baby,’ I hope to let everyone know that everyone is a beloved baby, and your flaws are adorable. Therefore, in the last verse of the song, we even deliberately designed it to emphasize this point: ‘You are a baby, not garbage,’ which is not sung but spoken.”
Yoga Lin encountered a chance to share a table with a stranger while eating noodles, which led to the creation of “Garbage Baby”. Subyub Lee, a Hong Konger living in Taiwan, also gained wonderful inspiration for creation in a foreign land. In Taiwan, garbage trucks collect household garbage from every household on the street. While Subyub Lee was rushing to deliver garbage to the garbage truck, he heard the piano pieces “Für Elise” and “A Maiden’s Prayer” playing on a loop from the garbage truck, and the melody of this song immediately came to his mind.
Wyman Wong, a legendary lyricist who has created many wonderful works for Yoga Lin, such as “China Town,” “You Are What You Eat,” “Spoiled Innocence” and “Otomen,” contributed his Yoga-style whimsical idea again in “Garbage Baby,” saying that “love is exchanging black plastic bags and opening gifts while holding your nose.” Yoga Lin, who rarely sat so close to strangers, said eating noodles with a stranger was a novel experience for him. When creators get closer to a wider audience, they can create more good songs that resonate with the times.
Yoga Lin wants to convey the most direct positive message to everyone who listens to “Garbage Baby”: “I imagine that one day, no matter who you are or what your status is, you may lack confidence at this moment, you may have suffered some setbacks, or you may have just experienced a low point in your life. … I hope that after listening to ‘Garbage Baby,’ you will remember that ‘you are a baby, not garbage.’”
At the end of the “Garbage Baby” music video, a group of white-clad men and women sing “You’re My Precious” in unison like a choir above the rainbow-painted sky. Subyub Lee is also one of them. They provide a faint light for ordinary people in their bleak daily lives, tearing open a small gap for Yoga Lin, who is dressed in a bear suit and sitting helplessly in the garbage dump, as well as for quarreling couples, tense lovers, single mothers troubled by life, and men mourning their deceased loved ones.
Encountering Obstacles in the Album, Triumphing in Life’s Trials
Because he had been caught in heavy rain, Yoga Lin wanted to help others with his umbrellas when he had the chance. This is perhaps the fundamental intention behind his song “Garbage Baby” and the production of his sixth album: to encourage fans to move forward. Since the release of his fifth album Sell Like Hot Cakes in 2016, Yoga Lin, who has been absent from the Chinese music scene for seven years, has been in a state of struggling to make progress in his music career and personal life.
During the years of preparing for his sixth album, Yoga Lin seems to have become more and more understanding of one thing: “If a person relies solely on their abilities and resources, they cannot accomplish everything.” Especially in the past three or four years, Yoga Lin has spent a lot of time that should have been used for making music to accompany “important people in his life.” When others wondered if Yoga Lin, who had not released new songs for a long time, had intentionally withdrawn from the music scene, he was actually trying to support his family and get through the most difficult period of cancer treatment.
The experience and feelings of accompanying his family to various hospitals for treatment have deeply influenced Yoga Lin’s creative attitude. He witnessed many patients in the ward who “wanted to live,” but everything seemed to be left to fate. “When my family’s cancer was diagnosed, it was already stage 3 pancreatic cancer, which was almost impossible to remove surgically. I searched for information online and found that the chance of completely recovering was very low. At that time, it was like a bolt from the blue.”
Yoga Lin described it as “a very intense challenge for me.” But at this moment, he was fortunate enough to meet a senior from his high school band. The senior was originally the lead singer of the band, but he willingly stepped aside to become the second guitarist so that Yoga Lin could join the band. This was the first time that young Yoga Lin realized the principle of “doing things that are beneficial to others.” Fortunately, this senior has now become a medical expert.
“I am very lucky to have met this senior who is both a doctor and a musician in my life. Later, my dad’s tumor shrank enough to be removed, and the senior said it was truly a miracle. This made me deeply understand that sometimes you may have money and power, but you cannot exchange them for the health of a patient with stage 3 pancreatic cancer. In the past few years, it has been a very shocking life experience for me. There is a lot of love and luck in it.”
During the time he was supporting his family in their fight against cancer, Yoga Lin also became a father for the second time. He saw this long period of “paternity leave plus cancer leave” as a chance to challenge himself and improve himself. The stress of the situation led to his developing a severe gastrointestinal illness. During a checkup, he discovered that his colon was inflamed in multiple places, and he had to limit his diet. The doctor even suggested that he try writing gratitude journals to manage his stress.
Over the past three to four years, Lin has learned the importance of maintaining a grateful attitude in life. Despite facing setbacks, he believes that gratitude has led to a series of miracles, including his father’s pancreatic cancer and his own gastrointestinal illness being cured. For him, creating this new album with a fresh perspective and new ideas is the best way to move forward.
Lin is increasingly grateful for the many beautiful songs he has had in the past and the influence he has now. He hopes to use his influence to encourage his listeners to be more gentle and brave and to make the world a better place. Looking back, Lin sees his illness as a “gift” for him and his family.
In the comments section of his new song on QQ Music, a fan named “Stars Hidden in the Night” shared that listening to Lin’s music during difficult times gave her hope. In response, Lin expressed his hope that his future music could accompany her through tough times and that they could work together to overcome them.
Lin’s experience of fighting cancer with his family has given him a new perspective. When he has the inspiration to do something, he increasingly chooses to do things that benefit others rather than just himself, like when he stepped down as lead singer to make the band better. This is a significant shift in mind-set, as people tend to be selfish when making choices and may even feel a little difficult at the time. But Lin has achieved this.
Doing Good Deeds, Doing Things That Benefit Others
After experiencing profound changes in his life, when asked about his long-awaited sixth album, Yoga Lin used the plain and simple words “keep your expectations” and hoped that everyone would continue to do so. This is also the most honest answer from Lin when facing an unpredictable future. After years without releasing an album, the rules of the game have changed, and since everything cannot be foreseen, it is better to learn to accept change. “Yoga Lin is back! But what will tomorrow bring? Let’s keep our expectations high!”
“Just like when I released an album before, I did more than 100 endorsements in a month, but besides my fans, not many people knew that I released an album. But one time, I sang a song on a variety show that I don’t usually go on, and then everyone knew that I had released an album. These are all things that cannot be predicted.” Lin was talking about his story of singing “Step Aside” on a variety show; even the original singer Rene Liu encouraged him through their mutual friend, HIM International Music executive Derek Shih.
As he has been fortunate enough to receive help from his seniors on his journey, Lin hopes to pass on the spirit of “doing good for others.” He would go to university campuses to listen to Elephant Gym’s performances before they became famous and even invite them to collaborate on “The Shape of Mouth.” Before Terence Lam became popular, Yoga Lin had already recognized the demo of “Worse comes to Worst.” When Hong Kong junior Jer Lau (a member of Mirror) invited Yoga Lin as a guest performer at his concert, Lin agreed immediately.
The polishing time for the sixth album was too long, spanning seven years from 2016 to 2023, far beyond the normal production cycle for an album. Although Yoga Lin is also anxious about when the sixth album will be completed, he believes that good things will come to fruition at the right time and hopes to complete the sixth album by the end of this year. “I think the sixth album is quite incredible, and there have been some new changes slowly happening now.”
Currently, the number of songs accumulated in Yoga Lin’s sixth album has become more than originally planned, possibly exceeding the 10 songs of a regular album. During the preparation period of the album, Yoga Lin visited people who love playing the piano everywhere to gain inspiration for creation, including an antique piano owned by a piano collector in Shilin, Taiwan, and a piano from Soda Green’s Gong Yuqi’s private collection. One of the new songs, “White,” which focuses on piano elements, was also sung by Yoga Lin in this round of concerts. What’s even more special is that the piano in “White” is played automatically by a machine.
“White” is about a serious theme of life: when loved ones pass away, which is a situation that everyone may encounter. “The reason why I chose a mechanical piano is that we always face the fact that people we love will leave this world and cannot continue to live, but I believe that there is a kind of love that will always exist. Therefore, I also want to convey this feeling to everyone. In order to convey this message, I used an unmanned mechanical piano. I hope that this message can bring some comfort to some people as well.”
Another new song, “Wordless Groans,” was written by Yoga Lin himself, and the lyrics were co-created by Yoga Lin and teacher Yao Qian. Being able to come up with the concept of “ordinary yet stubborn” really impressed Yoga Lin, who admired Yao Qian’s unique creativity: “The word ‘stubborn’ is rarely seen in Chinese songs. I think it is a very special choice. I admire Yao Qian for being able to think of such a description. Every detail we established through lyric creation together is unforgettable.”
Regarding the song title “The Song of Stubbornness,” Yoga Lin hopes that he can continue to be stubborn in the right place: “For example, only doing things that are good for others is also a kind of stubbornness. We often face choices where we have several inspirations at the same time, but time is limited. Which one should I do first? Now, I will only do things that are good for others. This value also helps me execute things more easily.”
“In the past, when I made every decision, I hoped that what I produced would be perfect and only cared about whether I looked handsome in the camera. If I carefully checked every angle after taking a photo, it might make the people around me very tired. For example, if we work until very late today, as long as the meaning conveyed by the work is positive, we should let the work team rest first—this is a decision that helps others.”
Yoga Lin used to be a perfectionist, so he inevitably became trapped in his self-set “emotional black hole” and faced negative emotions and obstacles in life. The “stone” he moved in the music video for “Wordless Groans” actually symbolizes these negative emotions and obstacles in life. Now, Yoga Lin has finally learned not to dwell on small flaws anymore. After using emotions in the right way, the pressure on his performing career has also been reduced significantly.
Applying the concept of “doing things that are good for others” to the actual operation of every specific thing has allowed Yoga Lin to receive unexpected positive feedback in real life: “In order to express yourself better when conveying messages to others, you need to become the person who can face the kind of person you are talking to. For example, when accompanying family members to fight cancer, in order to save their bodies, you need to use methods that suit them to tell them some things. This is ‘doing things that are good for others.’”
“I had an inspiration at that time, which was to find a doctor about the same age as my family member to help them. My family member is older and has some deep-rooted ideas. The effect of persuading them with a doctor in their 60s is better than that of persuading them with a young doctor. They listened carefully and absorbed what was said by doctors their age, and then made some changes.” Later, Yoga Lin also applied this “successful experience of persuading family members” to the production and promotion process of his sixth album.
“Although the progress of album production is slow, I will express good ideas more accurately each time. Like the most critical sentence in ‘Garbage Baby’ — ‘Everyone is a loved baby’ — we said it instead of singing it.” In this ever-changing era, we must speak more directly in our works to better convey what creators think and feel. This is also a learning process for Yoga Lin to live in the present.
Love Can Overflow and Help People Escape the Black Hole
After a long period of dormancy, Yoga Lin was once confused about why these experiences happened in his life, feeling like a thunderbolt on a sunny day, and decided to restart the “idol” concert and upgrade it to the “idol 2023” world tour. This is a concept about how to “escape from a black hole,” and the key core of this upgraded concert is that only love can overflow from a black hole.
In fact, as early as when they started the “idol” concert in 2018, Derek Shih, the senior executive at HIM International Music, who worked closely with Yoga Lin, gave the concert a Chinese name called “Love More” (it was just not publicly announced at the time). Looking back now, Yoga Lin suddenly realized that “Love More” was actually the best interpretation of the “idol” concert. When Love More overflows, we who are trapped in the black hole can have a chance to be truly saved by love.
Regarding “escaping from a black hole,” Yoga Lin understands it this way: “Sometimes we encounter great difficulties, but it is also possible that we will receive more abundant blessings in the future. However, people usually cannot see things in the future. In my past difficult experiences, I learned a very important thing: We must always maintain hope, which is very important and what I want to share with my fans. What makes you feel desperate now may be a blessing in disguise.”
Being able to invite Ryuichi Sakamoto before he passed away to authorize cooperation, combined with various wonderful stage visual effects, made “idol” described by the industry as Yoga Lin’s career masterpiece. But in Yoga Lin’s eyes, the 1.0 version of “idol” was just a process of seeking answers without reaching a conclusion. Yoga Lin tried to use his current understanding of life and his own life experience to add new colors to the 2.0 version of the “idol 2023” concert.
“After three years of precipitation, the whole earth stopped. When I hadn’t worked on the ‘idol’ concert for a long time and had the opportunity to restart it again, I went back to look at this performance three years later and discovered that the first part of the concert was so shocking, like a ‘black hole.’ I seem to feel how I was at that time: he was always pursuing a big goal and achievement, but at the same time, he may also be looking for direction.”
At that time, although Yoga Lin had done the critically acclaimed “idol” concert, he still seemed to be trapped in a “black hole” and couldn’t get out: “At that time, I didn’t know which kind of life was right. What a person thinks will be reflected in every action he takes. All behaviors are closely related to your inner-motivation. In this concert, I also saw my most true inner-world at that time, confused and still looking for who I am.”
Yoga Lin’s thoughts at the time were infinitely magnified by the “idol” concert stage: “At that time, I wanted to have greater achievements. In other words, I put ambition first. This is endless, just like an insatiable desire black hole.” Life has countless black holes, and only overflowing love can fill these voids. The past three or four years have made the overall concept of the “idol 2023” concert more complete and allowed Yoga Lin to hear his own voice from the bottom of his heart.
Yoga Lin incorporated all the life setbacks he had experienced over the years, the life answers he had been seeking, and the taste of life he perceived in the “black hole” into every detail of the concert: “The ‘idol’ concert is a very good structure, combined with the cooperation of a work team that may be one of the top Chinese concerts, allowing me to put what I now understand into the concert again through this ‘idol 2023’ concert and go deeper into explaining some things.”
When singing “The Tightrope Walker” in the “idol 2023” concert, Yoga Lin had such a talk: “I believe that like me, everyone has many wonderful things worth cherishing in their daily lives, and there will also be some terrible challenges that happen in our lives. Every person will have moments of despair. I hope my songs can give you some encouragement and let you know that when every blow comes, besides feeling despair, we still need to maintain hope.”
Yoga Lin gradually realized that no one in this world knows what will happen in the next second, nor can anyone predict how their life will go next. Faced with various sudden “black holes,” the only thing Yoga Lin can do is give each listener a gentle hug with music. He hopes to always maintain this gentle and brave state to convey the warmth and love he wants to convey to fans, flowing into the ears of every audience member on-site and even into everyone’s hearts.
In the Cantonese-speaking region, Yoga Lin will sing his Cantonese song “Bad and Worse.” “Everything is bad, but we can still be happy.” This is Yoga Lin’s blessing to fans and himself: “There will always be some sudden challenges in life that we cannot know. But we still need to be grateful for having five fingers, heartbeats, breathing… For many things, we can still maintain hope. I also hope that fans can maintain a good attitude when facing different challenges.”
Becoming a Person Who Loves Others as Much as Oneself
Through the “idol 2023” concert, Yoga Lin upgraded his value of “doing only things that benefit others” in recent years to “always choose the decision that benefits others, which is the right decision to escape the black hole.” Yoga Lin almost tirelessly repeated this sentence at every stop of the tour, hoping to remind more audiences to understand and accept this reminder and thus be able to break free from the “black holes” in their lives.
“The ‘idol 2023’ concert is about how to escape from the black hole. This value actually affects my way of doing things in life and creation. Every day we have all kinds of inspirations, but now when I have to make decisions, I will choose the inspirations that are worth my time and energy and can mobilize the whole team to execute things. Any decision and inspiration that has a positive impact on others is worth my full effort to do.”
Regarding “loving others as oneself,” Yoga Lin also gave a very vivid description of a realistic scenario. “Suppose one day I am in a bad mood and have already had a big fight with my family before going out. When driving, I encounter another hot-tempered driver next door. I may be stimulated and get angry, roll down the window, and argue with him… There are many similar explosive ‘black hole’ moments in life. When you embrace the mentality of ‘loving others as oneself’ and think it over, the result will be completely different.”
The person who can avoid being swallowed by the “black hole” is the person who can share the burden with others. Yoga Lin, who has walked out of the “black hole,” now hopes to work with fans and friends throughout his life to become a person who loves others as much as he loves himself. Then, when the audience leaves the concert venue, they can remember Yoga Lin’s words at the concert: “Love others as you love yourself.” When more and more people become like this, this imperfect world will quietly undergo new changes.
“Love is mutual. Whether you have loved others or others have loved you, whether there is love flowing between on and off stage, that state of love can be fully felt. Fans sincerely support a singer they like, and I hope to give back to them through music, including the positive messages and values that I want to convey in music. This is what I think is the best feedback.”
One Great Show Can Change The World
Can a perfect concert make the world a better place? After going through many difficulties and finally returning to the stage, Yoga Lin has a very firm answer to this: One Great Show Can Change the World! “We can’t really change the world, and many things can’t be controlled by individuals. But that doesn’t mean that, as human beings, we can’t make an effort. We still need to love others more, just like we love ourselves.”
In his early years, Yoga Lin was also lost in the constant comparison with others. Later, he slowly learned that “it is natural and healthy to see the better qualities in others.” As in “Garbage Baby,” when you realize that everyone is a unique treasure, it will give you more courage. “In the past, when I saw that others were excellent, I wanted to become even better. This idea is not a problem. The key may be whether you can know that everyone is a treasure, including yourself.”
“My heart reflects in my music, written works, and interactions with colleagues. This is an important factor that has influenced my behavior in the past. Because I want to become stronger, I expect myself not to lose balance or create invisible pressure on the work team. If the motive is not good, it may lead to bad results in the end and may also bring heavy burdens to oneself and others – these burdens will eventually become a ‘black hole.’ I hope I can stay away from such ‘black holes.’”
Another way Yoga Lin wants to change the world is by using only black support flags that are given away for free at his concerts instead of all the glowing support items. This black concert, like a “black hole scene,” with its deep black reflection, is distinct from other concerts that sparkle with various fluorescent sticks. The line on the support flag, “Only Love Can Overflow Black Holes,” is also what Yoga Lin wants to say to his fans: only love can overflow black holes.
Yoga Lin, who loves environmental protection, admits that he has even considered whether to recycle the black support flags and flagpoles separately: “I care about environmental protection very much. Not only do I want to protect the earth, but we also need to manage and maintain this earth well. Everyone shoulders responsibility.”
Every decision Yoga Lin makes receives maximum support from his fans and friends. At the “idol 2023” concert, you will hardly see any audience members bringing fluorescent sticks into the venue in order to present the best performance effect. This reminds me of Yoga Lin’s famous saying at his concerts: “To convey positive ideas, face whoever you want to be!” When idols practice what they preach by doing things that benefit others, fans also follow suit. This is what it truly means to “impact lives with your life.”
At this stage of his life, Yoga Lin hopes that he has no negative thoughts about work. He is practicing a new attitude to face his future career in the performing arts. “I deeply understand the motivation for change. My entire state of mind is completely different. After doing this, I have a new understanding of working hard. What I do is no longer for better results or higher status but only to do things that benefit others. I hope to maintain this positive motivation first before achieving any additional success.”
In the era of short videos and hit singles, Yoga Lin has to consider how not to blindly follow trends but instead make healthy judgments about whether he should do something or not. “I hope to adjust myself in this way, only choosing things that benefit and help others. I don’t know if there will be any additional bonuses in my career during this process. If there are, it’s great; if not, I will still do things with this motivation.”
Yoga Lin hopes that his music can help listeners solve their life problems when they encounter an unbearable “black hole.” When they hear the values conveyed in works like “Garbage Baby,” they may have a chance to save their lives. “So now my motivation for work has changed. As long as it’s a city where I haven’t performed before, my life can bear it, and I can still sing, I will go there. No matter where it is, I can go.”
In order for the philosophy of “Garbage Baby” to influence more people, Yoga Lin has copied and pasted the sentence “Please remember that love is exchanging garbage with each other and tolerating each other’s shortcomings; also remember that you are a beloved treasure, not garbage” on different social media platforms countless times just to deepen everyone’s memory effect. As long as it’s something that benefits others, he will try his best to do it. The eight words “Do good deeds without asking about future prospects” are very suitable to describe Yoga Lin, who is overflowing with love at this moment.
–This story was written for Billboard China by Jifan Wang
Yoga Lin
Mr.triangle/Billboard China
