So I didn’t have time to keep up with new music releases last week, but I did take time out of my weekend to watch Superboys 2013. Why did I take time out of my study sessions busy party schedule to watch this show you ask? It’s like Laure Shang said in the intro, the alumni from Supergirls/boys make up majority of today’s mainland music scene.

Starting with a simple dream, these young talents went on to become award winning singers, working hard on their dancing skills, crafting beautiful compositions (I’m not only talking about Lu Hu or Ma Xueyang), trying their hands in acting, and opening their own production studios. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to witness and support their struggles and growths from the beginning. You can watch Changsha and Guangzhou episodes on HNTV’s official youtube channel. Go below the cut for highlight performances.

Tao Ching Ying: How can you be sure that this is the person you want to spend your future with? What do you love about her?
Zuo Li: It’s hard to put into words. It’s just that… everyday she’s not around, everyday she doesn’t video chat with me, everyday when she isn’t bother or nag me… I just feel like something’s not right.

Sorry ladies, the dream boyfriend Zuo Li (左立) is taken. In fact, he’s here to prove he is worthy of his talented pianist girlfriend.

Hua Chenyu (华晨宇) performing… a song… It’s hard to describe his performance. It’s fascinating to watch and listen to him. It’s like watching and/or listening to Laure Shang – you’re not sure what is happening, but is completely mesmerized by the performance.

Quan Cheng (全程) was able to step on stage to perform this original composition for his father Why You 《为什么你》 through the help of his prison officer. He was arrested at the age of 16 for armed robbery and was sentenced to 14 years, during which his father passed away. I really loved this song, but he didn’t make it into the next round. I didn’t think the producers would’ve let him pass anyway, even if they let him compete. Quan Cheng was released a week after the show and is trying to restart his life.

How many kids get to hear the lullaby their daddy wrote for them on television? Well Wan Pengfei‘s (万鹏飞) son Zaizai did. Who’s Jealous?

You might not be a fan of Jia Shengjiang (贾盛强) due to his use of math symbols in his original composition Square Root 《平方根》, all the Greek symbols certainly confused Huang Qishan. But with Nicholas Tsa and Laure Shang’s support, Jia Shngjiang performed another original composition, which he wrote for his sister but who’ve never hear it.

Waiter Zheng Yongdan (郑永单) arrived at the competition with his co-worker, who work at the same restaurant as a singer. But it was the waiter who made it through to the Top 10 with his performance of Sweet Dream 《梦一场》.

Post-90er Ou Hao (欧豪) looks good, knows how to dress, bakes cupcakes… and can rap? Here to disprove the negative connotation attached to the post-90s generation, OU Hao performed Yo Bro 《Hey哥们儿》.

Professional photographer Tang Long (唐龙) came to the competition in secret because he doesn’t want his client to sue him for taking time off work. With a voice like that singing Typical Friends 《普通朋友》 I really don’t think you’ll need to be worried about those pesky clients anymore.