New-Born Stars: Astro Star Quest 2015 Final

After several years not following this competition, I found my way to the Final "live" show again. So there I was, sitting among Astro celebrity guests, coaches and entertainment professionals, behind the Rock Zone, with many tall boys standing in front of me, in anticipation of the show I had been kindly fed information with, courtesy of ex-colleagues who have something to do with the show one way or another. 

An indication of the success that's built up over the years, the supporters and audience receptively add their own enthusiasm with coloured light sticks that illuminated the hall and made the entire event more exciting. 

As the lights dim, and the countdown to the "live" show over Astro Wah Lai Toi starts, my view was again, silhouettes of people, now with illuminated sticks.

I was told that for the first time, the judging format would give each of the 5 finalists: Jacqueline, Debbie, Daniel, Joseph and Apple, 15 minutes to perform their own concert. In between their solos, they would be joined each by an assigned past year winner to duet with.  

"Animals" danced during rendition of "Roar" originally by Katy Perry

I had no favourites in mind going into the final. But I had taken the trouble to watch the music videos circling in facebook-dom, where they each had recorded a cover song.

First up was Jacqueline. I thought she was a strong contender with a strong voice & strong stage presence, although she apparently slipped during a dance routine. But then again, I couldn't see much due to the standing audience in front of me.

Debbie was the next contestant. I can say, she is the least of my favourites as I did not care for her entire packaging. I thought the straight blond hair with big headgears on her head was something she could not carry. Neither could she carry all the English songs that she sang as her pronunciation was apparent of someone who does not really understand English but chooses to mimic somebody singing English.  

When it was Daniel's turn, he lightened the heavy mood set by the previous 2 ladies, as he was a natural showman. Rhythm and a flexible body language was very much a natural state for him and I can say, he is truly a born performer.

From screen capture of Uriah's moving performance, 2 violins and a piano

From Uriah See's facebook: with his mom & brother who accompanied him on stage

The mood became even better when he was joined by guest performer, Uriah See, last year's winner, who has a great star presence. Uriah then went on to perform his new composition, 给爱 （Give Love）for the first time in public, joined by his mother on the piano and his younger brother on the violin. I must complement it as it was a very mature and moving song, away from the norm of the teeny-bopper melody-less songs that fill Chinese radio airtime nowadays. 

Next contestant, Joseph, seemed to be a dfficult one to fathom. He has the best-sounding textured voice amongst all. But he was unable to wow the audience and judges due to his stiff figure on stage.

Apple was said to be the favourite to win for the night. And she came out last, very much a topic of discussion amongst the audience, who identified balloons dropping, and other special effects awarded to the final contestant to perform, as indication for an intended winner. She has a naturally-clear high-ranged voice, but as a performer, it felt as though she was being pushed to be the rock star with her purple hair, but instead of following that built-up momentum, she reacted instead with demure side-to-side swaying.

As a producer of competitions, a difficult one to balance is always the need to create an  entertaining show VS the fairness of a competition. 

This concert format rundown, by obviously placing a strong vocals Jacqueline and ending with the favourite to win, Apple, strongly shown that entertainment value was placed first over what is deemed the fairness of a competition. In deciding the line-up of an entertainement show, we always start with someone fairly strong with upbeat entertainment (in this case, Jacqueline) and give the last performance to the one who is most popular (Apple). 

Apple eventually won, and the judges had hinted it to be so even before the winner's announcement by the MCs.

Nevertheless, despite the weaknesses shown by the contestants who are yet to be seasoned performers, this was an extremely grand concert and an amazing production for them to feel like stars. 

With past year winners lending their might, it was no doubt, a celebration and a reminder to all to keep appreciating this production and its new-born stars every year.

Witnessing Sean 许益凯 Celebrating 21 At Kobe

I was privileged to be invited by the bosses of Kobe, a newly-opened, huge Japanese feasting hangout at its new residence at Nihonkan Club, Jalan Ampang.

And was privileged to bump into many young and talented singers from the Astro Star Quest 2014 who were having a birthday celebration for Sean 许益凯.

It is what we call 缘分 (yuan fen) - fate -- because I have friends who work closely with them, and through youtube & TV,  I recognize their talent.

From left: Uriah 徐凯, I, Sean 许益凯, Ron 彭世豪

It was a sweet time witnessing the sweet and clever table deco that Sean's friends and family had put up for him on his 21st birthday, a huge difference compared to my own humble 21st at home. 

It was interesting to see fine dining Japanese food being prepared. An earnest work of delicious art!

I heard it was an 8-course Japanese dinner. Me never go out too much. So it was interesting to hear about the creative ways of doing business and serving food. 

It's a pretty casual and special atmosphere to eat in the cool breeze of the night beside the little pool in Kobe. It was a great chance to taste such refine Japanese dishes and have a few Asahi's in between, really a rare delight for me.

The edamames, just peas in the pod, can make a dish look so elegant.

After a full, hearty meal of vegetables, seafood and meat, it was a time for more cheers before cutting the cake. The entire restaurant joined in the celebration. 

The whole gang line up for a photo memory

Fireworks to celebrate the shooting up of a boy's career

Ron's 11-year-old cousin, up to his tricks and his best entertaining self.
I think he may grow up to be an entertaining MC or talkshow host.

Worthy to mention is this song by Sean. Not many know the story behind it. 

Sean 许益凯【听见爱】 MV 完整版
 

My good friend, Eugene, decided that he would set a challenge to himself to achieve something in his life. From the very start, he and I set our minds on having the positive Qi, and he set about telling me that he just decided to do something which would be a success. 

Without any experience doing something like this before, he boldly initiated the project of getting a song composed with Sean in mind for Astro's Parents' Day campaign. I spent many hours listening to him talk on and on about this wonderful song, listening and smiling by himself, enjoying this song, and about the marketing that he had a hand in. At the time of writing, this song has hit No. 4 on MYFM radio charts.

Skip to minute 4:04 to see Uriah's winning performance at the 2014 International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship in Hong Kong.

My pleasure to have known Mr & Mrs Leong, who are the most excited, energetic and gracious-hearted people I have met, and who truly love music and entertainment with all their beings.

Bosses of Kobe, Mr & Mrs Leong, congratulating Sean.

As I focused my wishes on meeting like-minded people, to keep on loving the idea of creating music, promoting talent and continue floating in the storms of showbiz which has been my entire life's journey, I am led to shore to sweet surprises I have never tasted. Mr Leong & Xian Hui, are a couple who have shown me an example of "follow your bliss."