Back on song

Since it premiered in July, Go For Happiness, a reality show on Hunan province-based Mango TV, has seen unexpected success. The show has become popular, especially at a time when reality TV is trying to catch eyeballs by bringing in major celebrities, young pop idols, or heavily relying on big-budget productions.

With a small budget, the seven-episode TV show has gathered singers Chen Chusheng, Lu Hu, Su Xing, Wang Lexin, Wang Zhengliang and Zhang Yuan, who went to Xiangshan county in Zhejiang province. They spent a week together, exploring the small island while experiencing the life of fisherfolk.

The six singers met and became friends when they participated in the national singing competition Super Boy on Hunan TV in 2007. They were among the top 13 winners at the competition, which was one of the most-watched TV Chinese shows that year, propelling them to stardom overnight.

Over the past 15 years, they've experienced life's highs and lows. Some got married and became parents. Some went through divorce. Some had to find side jobs to support their lives. Some even gave up music and tried to make a living by acting.

They joke about themselves and called themselves "once jobless singers who are reemployed" in the new reality TV show.

Unlike other reality TV shows, which are scripted, the participants on this show interact with one another spontaneously. Since they know one another, they make jokes that only can be made among them.

Chen, the winner of the reality show Super Boy in 2007, says that Go For Happiness "is not a reality show, it's our real lives".

With guitars, they also sing on the show. Their spontaneous and collaborative music-making led to a new song, titled Huo Gai, which became the show's theme song and is regarded as a celebration of their friendship, as well as recalling their younger days. The show's sense of realness and the jokes of the participants impressed many audiences. For those who have watched Super Boy, a walk down memory lane is offered in the new show, with memorable footage from the singing competition.

"This reality show has found unique drama that show writers cannot often craft," an audience member comments. "They (the participants) cried and laughed as if there was no camera at all."

Another audience member says, "I had watched Super Boy when I was a teenager. Now, it feels like a reunion with some old friends when I watch Go For Happiness."

It's been more than a month since Go For Happiness wrapped up production, and the six singers have appeared as soloists and as a group on some TV galas since then. They also presented an online concert livestreamed by the Tencent Music Entertainment Group. The second season of the reality show is being planned.

"It's great to have more and more job opportunities. I had no sleep for about 40 hours during my busiest days," says Zhang Yuan, 37, who won the ninth place during the Super Boy competition in 2007.

"I read lots of messages from the audience who loved Go For Happiness. It was beyond our expectations," says Zhang. "It (the shooting of the show) was not work as such, although it was exhausting. I still have some marks left by mosquito bites. What I loved the most about the show was that I could have a week full of fun with the other five people, who are like my brothers."

"We met when we all were very young. The singing competition witnessed the birth of our friendship, which lasts even after 10 years. Though we live in different cities, we have reunions every year," Zhang says. "We have supported and helped one another, especially through bad moments in our lives."

Last year, when the singer held his concert in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, about 600 tickets were sold, making the venue that had a capacity of about 1,500 seats look empty. Thanks to the success of Go For Happiness, Zhang sold out his concert within seconds in Guangzhou this summer.

"It's really exciting to have more and more people listen to my songs. It's the biggest wish for all singers, isn't it?" he adds.

Born in Chuzhou, Anhui province, Zhang graduated from Nanjing University of Finance and Economics. His parents were both civil servants and they hoped that their only child would have a regular and stable job. Apparently, being a singer was the least favorable option for them. Zhang didn't plan to become a singer though he was aware that he could sing. In 2008, he joined a four-member boy group, Top Combine, as its lead singer. The group achieved commercial success with songs, such as Marshmallow. However, in 2017, the group started to withdraw from the limelight after commercial failure.

"I didn't have many job opportunities but I stepped up to every job I had. I remember that there was a time whenever I met my manager, I would ask if I had any job. It was hard time," recalls Zhang, who has also gone through a heartbreaking breakup.

"When I was younger, I always tried my best to go after my goals. Now, after all the things I've been through, I feel lucky that I still have the opportunity to sing. I am much more relaxed," says Zhang, adding that he is planning to perform in musicals and to hold more concerts.

The idea of making the reality show, Go For Happiness, stemmed from fans who enjoyed their appearance on another reality show on Mango TV, titled Welcome to the Mushroom House. This gathered celebrities in the countryside to experience the "simple lifestyle" and live away from bustling city centers. One of the episodes of that show had the six singers as "guest visitors". Their appearance appealed to nostalgic fans, who called for more performances from them.

"I don't think the word 'hit' ever crossed my mind," says Su, 37, who won the second place at Super Boy competition in 2007, referring to both Go For Happiness and Welcome to the Mushroom House.

"We all have been in this business for 15 years and went through lots of things together. When we are together, we just want to be ourselves."

Born in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, Su was signed by a major record company and won awards after launching his music career in 2007. He also expanded his career hosting music shows. Though many of his peers slowly left music and took up regular jobs, Su stayed with music.

He says some of his songs, which were released years earlier and were unsuccessful commercially, have gained popularity among listeners, thanks to the attention he got after appearing in the reality show this year.

"For those who may not be familiar with us but are interested in finding out more, listening to our songs will help," says Su.