DistantNews
Support us
🇹🇼 Taiwan /Culture & Society

Veteran singer Fan Yiwen reveals painful past: runaway night, sister's debt wiped out 200 million

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Veteran singer Fan Yiwen recalled running away from home during a typhoon night in her youth, an event that unexpectedly led her to a career in music.
  • She found her first singing opportunity at a live house called 'Du Juan Wo,' launching a four-year career as a resident singer.
  • After a 20-year break to work in fashion, during which she lost 200 million yuan due to her sister's debt, Fan Yiwen has now paid off her debts and returned to the music scene.

Veteran Taiwanese singer Fan Yiwen shared a poignant story about her past, revealing how a dramatic decision to run away from home during a typhoon night became a pivotal moment in her life. In her youth, awaiting university entrance exam results and fearing failure, Fan Yiwen left home and found solace in the familiar live house 'Du Juan Wo.' It was there, amidst the music, that she unexpectedly forged a connection with live performances.

Months later, Fan Yiwen boldly approached 'Du Juan Wo' seeking an opportunity. Coincidentally, the main female singer was absent that day, granting Fan Yiwen a chance to perform. This impromptu gig led to her discovery and the beginning of a four-year career as a resident singer. During this period, she performed nightly, honing her skills and building confidence by memorizing hundreds of songs without the aid of modern technology.

If there hadn't been those four years of live house performances, I wouldn't be who I am today.

— Fan YiwenReflecting on the importance of her early singing experiences.

Fan Yiwen described her stage persona during that era: heavy "panda eye" makeup, black nail polish, a black tube top, and high-waisted disco pants. She carried thick songbooks, becoming a distinctive presence in the club scene. Her dedication to learning and performing songs from vinyl records, word by word, laid the foundation for her future success.

Her live house career concluded when she was discovered by a record company after participating in the singing competition 'University Town' during her senior year of college, marking her official entry into the Mandopop industry. After a 20-year hiatus from the entertainment industry to pursue a career in fashion, Fan Yiwen faced a significant setback when she lost NT$200 million (approximately $6.4 million USD) due to her sister's debts. Now, over 40 years into her career, she has successfully repaid her debts and returned to the music scene, recently accepting an invitation to perform at a live house again.

'Beautiful Times' is not just a memory; I want to share the music that accompanied my growth with everyone once again.

— Fan YiwenExplaining the motivation behind her upcoming live performance.
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.

More Stories

From Our Blog