Tag Archives: The Voice of China

The Voice of China: Oh my goodness, we’re two weeks behind!

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Did you miss having a recap last week? The week before? No? Why not? This is quality stuff.

Did you miss having a recap last week? The week before? No? Why not? This is quality stuff.

This is a recap of the third episode of The Voice of China season three. Yes, I know, I know, we’re up to episode five now. But if you’ve seen episode four, then you’ve probably been disappointed by it and will want to come back and relive episode three. Tada!
Don’t worry. Recaps for episodes four and five will be coming soon.

Let’s begin with the extra segment streaming on The Voice website featuring Zhao Wanting 趙婉婷 and Voice of China alumni, Ding Ding 丁丁 and Huang He 黄鹤, dancing with a team of cheerleaders to a Zac Efron song from High School Musical 3. It’s every bit as bad as it sounds.

The trio appear on My Youth Octave 我的青春高八度, which has been described as the Chinese version of Glee. That’s every bit as bad as it sounds, too. The girls then transition into I.O.I.O by S.H.E, which is a cover of a Bee Gees song funnily enough. It looks like they’re lipsyncing, but I think they were dubbed over for broadcast because they just aren’t very good.

Yay, useless two-minute musical number is over. Now onto the real show.

Chen Bing 陈冰
24, Beijing
Eternal Summer 盛夏光年 by Mayday

The first contestant of the episode is actually quite pretty, which means all four judges will probably turn for her regardless of her singing. Maybe it’s the 320p resolution, but her mother looks ridiculously young. Her father, on the other hand, looks like the dry-cleaner who altered my coat when I lived in Korea. He did a really good job of it, so if you’re ever in the Gangnam area and need a coat tailored, let me know. Still, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had said her father was her boyfriend and her mother was her sister.

As it turns out, Chen Bing is actually a really good rock singer. I was just thinking the other day that I would like to hear a Chinese singer sing Alone by Heart, the second-greatest girl band in history after Destiny’s Child. I hope she sings that in the next round. All four judges turn for her. She gets a standing ovation, the first of the season. Continue reading →

The Voice of China: YouTube stars, Kpop stars, and too many Chyi Chin songs

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I know, I know. I was supposed to have this recap posted days ago.

Robynn & Kendy audition for The Voice of China. I know, I know. I was supposed to have this recap up days ago.

Just in case we haven’t been paying attention, the beginning of the episode introduces all the judges (again), listing some of their professional accomplishments with short sound bites from them about what they want to achieve. It’s all pretty standard, and none of it is especially remarkable, except for the fact that Chyi Chin doesn’t seem to have aged in 25 years. That’s not to say he doesn’t look his age of 54. Just that he looked 54 back in 1988.
Other than that, this episode jumps straight into the first audition.

This post is the second in a series of weekly recaps for The Voice of China. Review the first episode here.

Qin Xiaolin 秦晓林
19, Anyang, Henan
Fire 火 by A-mei

We jump straight into the first audition. No cute back-story here. What’s up with that? Maybe this contestant is really unlikable and nothing about her is endearing to the audience. The band plays a harder, rockier version of A-mei’s Fire. Oh, our auditionee has a really husky voice. She looks and sounds like chain-smoking lumberjack. I guess this is why they didn’t give her a proper introduction; her speaking voice would have given away the surprise. Her top notes actually resonate really well.

All the male judges turn for her. Wang Feng smiles. “You’re on fire.”
“From now on, you have a new nickname,” Yang Kun says. “Do you know what it is?”
“What is it?” she asks.
“Volcano girl!” Yang Kun replies enthusiastically. “Volcano” in Chinese is literally fire mountain, so Yang Kun just made a pun. It’s not a very good pun. “Her voice sounds like a volcano eruption,” Yang Kun explains to Na Ying.
“Her throat is full of fire.” Na Ying says.
“Ngraahahaaah,” adds Yang Kun. I don’t know what that’s meant to be.
Yang Kun asks if she was born with her voice or if it developed later on.
“I was born with this way,” she says. “I inherited it from my mother and grandmother. My mom is a Chinese opera singer. My grandfather has a really loud voice. I grew up in the east side of town. And every day I’d go to the west side to play at my classmate’s house. My grandmother would call out from one side to call me back for dinner.”
“Ryahaahaaaah!” Yang Kun responds. Continue reading →

The Voice of China returns for season three

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This is the first time that I've written something 3,000 words long since graduating from college.

This is the first time that I’ve written something 3,000-words-long since graduating from college.

No A-mei or Harlem this year, but The Voice of China 中国好声音 comes back big with a new judge, an old judge, and a fresh batch of talent. The season three Voice premiere saw the introduction of first-time mentor, Taiwanese singer-songwriter Chyi Chin 齐秦, replacing Harlem Yu, and the return of Yang Kun who replaced A-mei (who replaced Yang Kun the year before). The mentor lineup now stands as:

  • Na Ying 那英
  • Wang Feng 汪峰
  • Yang Kun 杨坤
  • Chyi Chin 齐秦

With the addition of Chyi Chin, the judging panel now becomes 50% Manchu, much like the Qing Grand Council in the 18th century. The more you know.
Chyi Chin is a strange choice. He wasn’t especially popular on I Am A Singer. I would have liked Coco Lee. Speaking of whom, have you registered for auditions for Chinese Idol yet?

This post is the first in a series of weekly recaps for The Voice of China. Review the second episode here.

If you you’re the type of Voice viewer who only occasionally watches clips of performances, feel free to skip ahead for the videos.

The episode begins with Na Ying walking on stage, singing fellow mentor Wang Feng’s Braveheart 勇敢的心. Her placard-wielding teenage entourage seems a little bit lost and not at all excited to be on TV. In contrast, when fans get this close to The Voice UK judges, crotches get grabbed.
Yang Kun is the second judge to make an appearance, transitioning the medley into Chyi Chin’s Heartless Rain, Heartless You 无情的雨无情的你. Wang Feng then appears to sing Na Ying’s The Day Doesn’t Understand the Dark of Night 白天不懂夜的黑. I am sensing a trend here. If the next mentor sings a Yang Kun song, I am going to reward myself with a doughnut. Wang Feng is singing for a long time compared to the others before him.
Finally, Chyi Chin takes the stage with Yang Kun’s The Moon Can Represent My Heart 月亮可以代表我的心. I think I’ll go for cinnamon. The other judges, having taken their seats, tap their buzzers and swivel around to choose Chyi Chin, welcoming him into the fold. Ah, yes, very symbolic and creative. All four judges return to the stage and finish off with Braveheart.

Liu Zhijia 刘至佳
19, Chonqing
Girl On Fire by Alicia Keys

This university student kicks off the very first audition of the year with the introduction to the Black Eyed Peas’ Let’s Get It Started. It’s similar to Laure Shang’s performance on I Am A Singer. She then begins to rap an unknown song before finally settling on Girl On Fire. Liu half-yodels, half-grunts the Alicia Keys’ number, sounding a bit like the lovechild of Christina Aguilera and Shakira. Her voice is strong, but lacks control. All judges except Na Ying turn for her. Continue reading →

Register for The Voice of China auditions (the real one, not the fake ones)

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Bye bye, Harlem. We won't miss your sleeveless tees. Oh, those sleeveless tees...

Bye bye, Harlem. We won’t miss your sleeveless tees. Oh, those sleeveless tees…

There have been reports of fake Voice of China auditions taking place in parts of Northeast China, where hopeful singers were charged a fee to perform before a panel of equally fake “producers.” The scam was apparently incredibly realistic, with official Voice of China and sponsorship logos adorning the set and promotional materials, and even a replica of the iconic “V” hand statue. The real producers of the show issued a reminder that Voice of China auditions are always free to enter.

Already registered for The Voice of China 2014 auditions? No? Well, why not?
Online registrations for the upcoming Voice of China season opened earlier this month. If your excuse for not signing up is that you were too busy waiting for the I Am A Singer finale, but were so disappointed by its execution that you lost faith in reality singing contests altogether… then you’re excused. For everyone else, get your applications in. More details below.

The third season of the top-rated singing show is scouring for new mentors after the departure of Harlem Yu. Hong Kong megastar Andy Lau reportedly declined the RMB30 million (US$4.8 million) offer to fill the swivel chair, citing scheduling conflicts with filming Huayi Brothers’ next movie, Lost and Lonely 失孤. Wang Leehom, with concerts, film promotions and an album release later this year, also turned down the role. Rumours now suggest Taiwanese industry veteran Jonathan Lee is in talks to replace Harlem.

Need motivation to audition for The Voice? Yao Beina, second-season contestant and “Let It Go” singer, commands appearance fees in the seven-figures (RMB1,000,000 = US$160,000). And she didn’t even make it into the finals, so how about that. If you want to be the next her, here’s what you have to do: Continue reading →

Have you heard the Chinese versions of “Let it Go” from Disney’s Frozen?

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Disney's 'Frozen' has grossed over $750 million at the box office to date. Frozen opens in China, the world's second-largest movie market, early next month.

Disney’s ‘Frozen’ has grossed over $750 million at the box office to date. Frozen opens in China, the world’s second-largest movie market, early next month.

Frozen, one of this winter’s biggest box office hits, adds yet another memorable theme song to the iconic Disney musical repertoire. “Let It Go,” originally performed by Idina Menzel, tells of the snow Queen Elsa’s decision to let go of her obstacles and embrace her powerful, icy magic.

Frozen is known as 冰雪奇缘 Bing Xue Qi Yuan (Magical Tales of Ice and Snow) in Taiwan and on the Mainland, and 魔雪奇緣 Mo Syut Kei Yun (Enchanted Snow Tales) in Hong Kong. Following Disney animation tradition, the film has undergone separate dubbing for the three regions of Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China.

Hu Weina provides the voice for Elsa in the film version. Listen to it here. The pop versions in the Taiwanese and Mainland productions are provided by two Voice of China alumni, Shennio Lin 林芯儀 and Yao Beina 姚贝娜 respectively, while the Cantonese version is performed by YouTube singer Jobelle Ubalde.  Mandarin-speaking fans of Frozen, the two Mandarin language productions are furthermore distinct, with different dialogue and lyrics, so you’ll be able to experience the film twice over!

Unfortunately, Disney is not in the habit of releasing official soundtracks for its Chinese language productons, so you’ll have to bear with the audio quality until a DVD release.

Yao Beina – 隨它吧 (Let It Be)
Mainland China, pop version

Continue reading →

Music Monday: December 16, 2013

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Here to make Monday a little easier =)

Here to make Monday a little easier =)

Since most Chinese children begin learning English in elementary school it only makes sense to create an English version of “Where are we going? Dad!” theme song.

(I decided to post video counts so you guys don’t freeze your computer trying scroll before the page fully loads – 12 videos)
Continue reading →

“Where are we going? Dad 2” raises record 483 million RMB

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If you think  “Superwoman” Cindy is adorable, you’re in good company. Her fans already include Faye Wong,  Gao Yuanyuan, Chen Qiao’en, Mingdao, Hawick Lau, Wei Chen, Qi Wei, Wen Zhang, Aska Yang, and Li Yuchun.

The show that’s captured viewers with an 89% approval rate  has also captured  the hearts of sponsors, breaking not only viewership ratings but also record sponsorship fees.  Their latest ad sale for season 2 saw the sponsorship go to Yili milk for 312 million RMB, the highest ever for a sponsorship (the second is The Voice of China 3 at 250 million).     This is on top of 171 million RMB of three partnerships, not to mention potential product placement revenues (season 1 had frozen goods, toothpaste, milk, beddings, and cars sponsored) and actual ad revenue to come later. 

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

I hear “Where are we going? Dad” is on!

The new record is just one of many in China’s accelerating TV biz. Sponsorship fees have multiplied 20 times since 2005.  

Continue reading →

Hey, that chubby Taiwanese boy on the Voice of China looks familiar…

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Oh, that chubby Taiwanese boy!

Lin Yuchun 林育群, who first shot to fame in 2010 when his performance of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You went viral, auditioned for the Voice of China’s second season with 星星 (I’m Not a Star) by Shunza 順子.

Surprisingly on two counts, Na Ying was the only judge to activate her chair-spinning button for Lin, but failed to recognise the Internet singing sensation.

*“Hey, fatty, what are you doing here?” a surprised Harlem Yu remarked after Lin’s performance. Continue reading →

Music Monday: July 29, 2013

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Here to make Monday a little easier =)

Here to make Monday a little easier =)

This week Yico Zeng (曾轶可) want to tell you about women’s secret, when Fu Xinbo is waiting for your love, just when Xianxi agreed to let go, and Zou Rong thinks the best love is when Xu Haixing is a flower, and Lai Weifeng is bad.

We’ve all been there, either at school or at the mall… how can there be no parking space?
Continue reading →

“The Voice of China” competitors release MV’s

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Although a lot of singers are of Yi ethnicity (He Jie, Zhang Liyin, MIC’s Xiaoxin), interestingly enough, the ethnicity that favors tanned beauties haven’t had a famous artist who’s not fair-skinned until The Voice 3rd place Jieke Junyi.

Because I’ve been quite busy this past year, I haven’t been able to pay attention to the music phenomenon of the year – The Voice of China.   A number of the show’s  artists did release MV’s recently, though, and I liked quite a number of them. Here’s a compilation of the ones I found.

Jieke Junyi’s Colorful Black  MV is probably my favorite, although both the lyrics and the MV could be more consistent.
Continue reading →