Moving forward on to part seven of this post, lets continue our exploration of the world of contemporaneous Chinese music.
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Music and Soap Opera fusion…
I once had a friend that used to work as an English teacher in Shenzhen China. He was a tall attractive man around 25 years old, and all the ladies were ga-ga over him. Anyways, for a spell, he worked in Shanghai and while he was there he got a role as an extra in a Chinese movie.
This is a great way for expats to make some drinking money. You put on a costume, learn a few Chinese phrases and play a role in a movie. You get paid a few hundred RMB. Enough for a dinner and some beer. It’s fun.
Anyways, he played a European traveler to China. As such, there was this scene where he dressed in period finery and approached the king as some European prince. It was a short scene, maybe seven minutes tops, and he had the video of the scene in his cell phone.
I’ll tell ya, you would think that he was a major Hollywood actor the way everyone fawned over him. Seven minutes of fame, and a lifetime of honor. Crazy huh?
Now me, I’d like to play some kind of Mob Boss, or bumbling hero. But, that’s just me, and no one has ever asked me to do anything like that anyways. Yet, it’s a fun dream and it’s nice to muse about from time to time.
This micro-video mixes contemporary Chinese music with scenes from some of the many, many Chinese soap operas and movies. I like it very much.
Singing popular tunes
Next, we have a top song that is all over the Internet. Here we see the girl singing the song in the micro-video. Everyone likes to sing. Sometimes songs are sung in the KTV’s, bars, or cars, while other times we just lip-sync for the heck of it. Here we have a talented lass singing a song because…well, because it’s fun to sing.
Translated Chinese Verses…
In the next popular song, you can see the lyrics translated into English. Yes, the translations aren’t exact, as Chinese like English have idioms and meanings that go far beyond direct word-to-word translation.
Songs can express emotions.
And, here we have a girl singing one of my favorites. Even if you don’t know the translation, you can certainly make out the emotions, the feelings and the thrust of the music.
You see, the Chinese people love to sing. When they go to a KTV, they drink and eat, and there with their friends, sing their hearts out. It’s sort of like what we used to do in Pennsylvania and New York. This, people, is what you should be doing… Doing instead of mowing the lawn this weekend. Or, if that is too brazen… may I suggest fishing or even just grabbing a six pack and going for a ride in the country with your best friend. Life.
Life is meant to be lived.
Life is to be lived. What is this gal doing that you aren’t?
Life can be sad…
You know everyone likes music in China, and it seems like everyone loves to dance to it. Music can be happy, but it can also be sad as well…
Chinese Television
Hey! Here’s a few micro-videos related to contemporary Chinese television. I think that the plots are obvious.
Help from Strangers.
Hey! Guys and girls, listen up. All of us need a helpful nudge from a well-wishing stranger from time to time. Don’t be so alone and isolated. Reach out, and be good, kind and helpful. Won’t ya.
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