United in harmony

In the rich tapestry of global music, certain genres possess a unique allure that transcends cultural boundaries. One such captivating vocal style is Shima Uta, originating from the enchanting islands of Okinawa, Japan. Also known as "island songs" in English, the singing style demands rapid transitions between chest voice and falsetto, creating a haunting and ethereal atmosphere.

Inspired by this special vocal style, the multitalented pop icon, Jay Chou, created the poignant ballad Hua Hai (Sea of Flowers) in 2008, into which he skillfully infused the soothing power of Shima Uta, bringing solace to the hearts of listeners.

Two years later, Kousuke Atari, a renowned Japanese singer who has been at the forefront of popularizing Shima Uta, covered the song, presenting a Japanese version.

The narrative of Chinese and Japanese musical exchange has continued to unfold as the acclaimed Chinese vocalist Gong Linna and Japanese singer Maria, also known as Mai Mizuhashi, presented their own interpretation of the song on the stage of the reality show, Riding the Wind 2023.

In their performance, Maria mesmerizes the audience with her resonant contralto voice, which carries depth and richness, enveloping the listeners in complex emotions. Meanwhile, Gong showcases her versatility as a veteran vocalist, seamlessly moving between pop and ethnic minority-style vocal techniques such as vocal chanting, Shima Uta and other genres.

During the song's instrumental interludes, Maria takes center stage, her dance moves synchronizing with the cascading petals falling around her, a visual spectacle that amplifies the poetic expression of the song. Alongside her, Gong's enchanting vocalizations intertwine, adding an otherworldly dimension to the performance.

As the song progresses into its latter half, the two singers swap languages and sing in each other's native tongues during the chorus, heightening its emotional climax.

The performance, featuring the singers' outstanding vocal prowess, a perfectly tailored stage design and the harmonious interplay of two languages, has sparked enthusiastic discussions on social media platforms. Many viewers describe it as "an audiovisual feast" that will linger in their minds for a long time.

"I've employed tones that align with Eastern aesthetics when singing the song. I want to stage performances imbued with Chinese styles in the show," Gong says.

Riding the Wind 2023 is the fourth season of a reality show that aims to showcase the charms of 30-to-50-something women. The series' 2020 debut caused a sensation, capturing widespread public attention by challenging the entrenched focus on youthful beauty within the Chinese entertainment industry.

Embarking upon its latest season this year, the program seeks to expand cross-cultural collaboration and mutual support among women, regardless of their different languages, ages or personality traits.

To achieve this, the show has invited female celebrities from diverse cultural backgrounds to participate in duets or group performances throughout the rounds of competition.

Among them are Chinese TV anchor Xie Na, 42, model-turned-actress Qu Ying, 52, Hong Kong actress Ada Choi Siu-fun, 50, and Taiwan singer Ella Chen Chia-hwa, 42, as well as international participants such as South Korean actress Choo Ja-hyun, 44, Russian chanteuse Kateryna Kelly, 33, and American singer Annie Lowdermilk, 33.

Gong, along with her German husband, songwriter Robert Zollitsch, has long been exploring the realm of "new Chinese art music", which aims to preserve the essence of traditional Chinese folk music in new forms.

According to Gong, collaborating with international artists on the show has the potential to broaden her creative horizons for producing "new Chinese art music" in the future.

"Such collaborations may also facilitate the exposure of my musical works to larger audiences," she says.

Widening career pathways

The participation of Vietnamese pop idol Chi Pu, 30, has attracted a significant number of Vietnamese viewers to the show.

Chi has long worked as a model, singer-dancer and actress and enjoys a strong fan base in her country. Currently, she is making a name for herself in the broader Asian entertainment industry.

She considers joining the show to be an opportunity to learn from other participants and the production unit.

"There are sisters on the show who are talented in singing, dancing and acting," she says. "I also got to know how the staff produce the show, how they arrange everything and how they take care of each participant. This is something I can learn from them and take back to Vietnam to improve my work."

Chinese pop songs are popular in Vietnam, where many artists perform covers that are greatly enjoyed by local audiences. Being exposed to Chinese songs from a young age, Chi has developed an appreciation for their deep and meaningful lyrics.

As she grew up, she found that Chinese songs, which usually depict everyday life and evoke genuine emotions, could easily resonate with her. She believes that there are similarities between Chinese and Vietnamese pop songs.

"Learning from other countries' cultures and music styles is necessary, as the new generations tend to listen to music from around the globe," Chi says.

During the show, Chi performed a hit Vietnamese song called See Tinh alongside three other participants.

"I'd like to sing more Vietnamese songs in China to pique people's curiosity about Vietnamese music," she says.

She has recently signed up for an online Chinese language course, preparing for possible future engagements in China.

Participating in this program may serve as a pivotal moment for Japanese singer Maria, propelling her into the mainstream music market. She used to be active in the animation, comics and games industry, where she often performed theme songs for genre titles.

Seven years ago, a single by her three-member girl group Garnidelia, called Paradise Pure Land, went viral on Bilibili, a prominent gathering place for anime and manga enthusiasts in China, resulting in numerous covers and dance renditions. That marked a significant turning point in her music career.

"From that time onward, my life took a completely different trajectory, opening up many opportunities for me to perform overseas," she says. "Without the success of the song, I might not have had the chance to participate in Riding the Wind 2023."

Expressing her gratitude toward the Chinese fans who have shown love and support for her, Maria released a song called Togen Renka in 2017. This special track, for which she wrote the lyrics, was dedicated to her Chinese fan base.

With its Chinese-style arrangement, incorporating traditional instruments, and vocals partly in Chinese, Maria aimed to create a heartfelt connection with the audience.

Her adorable stage presence, impressive vocal abilities and dedicated attitude have captured the hearts of many viewers of the reality show. She once even topped the audience popularity vote among all the participants.

"I'm so happy to see that more people know my name and enjoy my music. I hope that more people can come and attend my concerts, sharing the musical journey together with me," she says.

In August and September, Maria will embark on a concert tour in China, including cities such as Hong Kong, Shenzhen in Guangdong province, Chengdu in Sichuan province, Chongqing, Beijing and Shanghai.

Opening hearts

Prior to collaborating with Gong on the performance of Hua Hai, Maria found herself in a stressful situation of self-doubt due to her Chinese language level. Learning Chinese songs within a short time frame was a major challenge.

"At that point, Gong stepped in with unwavering patience, meticulously teaching me Chinese, word by word, and explained the meaning of the lyrics for me," recalls Maria.

Gong says: "I could sense the anxiety of some foreign participants like Maria. However, within the nurturing ambience of sisterhood and the ethos of mutual support that permeated the program, there are always sisters who come to extend a helping hand to their foreign counterparts, enabling them to integrate into the collective and overcome language barriers."

For established singer Gong, participating in music shows is nothing new. However, her previous experiences mostly revolved around solo performances. This time, in a collaborative setting, she has had to embrace the role of harmonizer.

"I need to learn to put aside my individuality and prioritize the cohesion within the team," she remarks.

Gong believes that the portrayal of mutual appreciation and support among women in the program, coupled with their unwavering determination to overcome hurdles and deliver wonderful performances, will inspire viewers.

"This will empower them to confront all the challenges life throws at them with courage and resilience," she says.

Gong herself has also undergone unexpected transformations within this supportive environment.

In one episode of the show, when Maria, struggling with confidence in her own performance, quietly began to shed tears, Gong mustered the courage to open up about her lifelong inner trauma — a deep-seated belief that she was not beautiful.

"I always despised the color pink, as I associated it with being a pretty girl. My color is red, a symbol of power," she confided to Maria.

In the process of baring their scars to one another despite the language barrier, these women found solace and healing.

Through tears, fragmented English, and body language, they comforted each other and gained confidence and strength together.

Regarding the touching moment, Gong explains that: "Seeing the other participants, all of them beautiful and with great figures, I couldn't help but feel inadequate about my own looks. Maria, in particular, with her sweet appearance and impressive singing and dancing skills, seemed like a perfect fit for the show. However, to my surprise, even she experienced moments of self-doubt. It was in that very moment that I mustered the bravery to confront my own insecurities about my physical appearance."

After forging this behind-the-scenes bond, the two female singers, one aged 48 and the other 31, hailing from different countries and showcasing distinct styles, took the stage for their duet in resplendent pink attire.