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Champion of 'Super Star' reveals zero-income struggles; surviving on funeral gigs to pursue Taiwanese dream

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Outcome reported
  • Kwong Tze-tung, a 26-year-old Malaysian singer, became the first foreign national to win the Taiwanese singing competition "Super Star" after a two-year, three-month journey.
  • Despite the championship title, Kwong faced significant financial struggles, taking on low-paying gigs like performing at funerals to support himself while pursuing his dream in Taiwan.
  • He emphasized the pure power of music found in these humble performances, contrasting it with the pressure of competition, and now aims to develop his own musical style and collaborate with Malaysian artists.

Malaysian singer Kwong Tze-tung has achieved a historic win on the Taiwanese singing competition "Super Star," becoming the first non-native to conquer the show after a grueling two-year, three-month run.

I really asked very humbly.

— Kwong Tze-tungDescribing his desperate efforts to stay in Taiwan and continue his career.

However, the championship title has not immediately translated into financial stability. Kwong, 26, revealed the stark reality behind the victory, detailing his struggles with zero income and reliance on "white field" performances, typically funerals, to make ends meet. He even resorted to asking friends for introductions to agencies, willing to be listed without taking jobs, just to maintain his residency in Taiwan.

Kwong's journey was marked by perseverance. He twice extended his student visa to remain in Taiwan and faced immense uncertainty after previous competition experiences. He described feeling lost and without direction, seeking any opportunity to continue his career. His father's advice to face challenges independently resonated as Kwong learned to manage life's practicalities, from work to rent, understanding his parents' sacrifices.

Everyone would tell me to cheer up, but I didn't know how to cheer up because I had no connections.

— Kwong Tze-tungRecounting his feelings of helplessness and lack of opportunities after previous competitions.

His experience performing at funerals, though somber, offered a different perspective on music. Away from the competitive stage, he found a purer connection to singing, realizing its meaning beyond high scores and applause. This realization fueled his determination, especially when tackling Taiwanese Hokkien songs, a genre entirely new to him, requiring him to learn pronunciation, emotion, and performance style from scratch.

When I was competing, I was always thinking about how to sing better and get a high score; but at the white fields, without applause and lights, I slowly realized that singing actually has another meaning.

— Kwong Tze-tungReflecting on the different meaning of music found in funeral performances compared to competitive singing.

Kwong also faced external doubts about his unique singing style and continued participation in competitions. After accumulating nearly 80 songs during his "Super Star" journey, he finally claimed the championship. A particularly touching moment was his parents' surprise appearance at the finals, having flown from Malaysia to support him. Now, Kwong is focused on developing his own musical identity and hopes to collaborate with established Malaysian artists like Guang Liang, Penny Tai, and Ivy Chen, aiming to showcase the talent of Malaysian singers on a global stage.

I really didn't know at all. Seeing them appear on site made me very moved and very happy.

— Kwong Tze-tungExpressing his surprise and emotion upon seeing his parents at the championship finals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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