so how did we get here, the transition from an ambivalent listener to an all out fan?
well, his songs were not unfamiliar to me as he's always been within my radar -- i've listed him together with David Tao and Jacky Cheung as my only three favorite Chinese artists on Facebook. i have his hit ballads (kiss goodbye, 你不在, forever love, 唯一, among others) in my playlist and they receive a fair share of listening time. i also remember reading this interview with Tash Aw back in 2008, which i regard as one of the best i've read cos I found the interaction between the two to be so engaging (some might find it pretentious *cough* but i lurve it haha, and i've read it more than once since).. still, i was just admiring from afar.
soooo again, how did it happen? i don't really remember. all i remember was knowing that he was holding his concert in KL on 3-March and the quick chat with WW about going but we never really got around to it. after the concert, everything was a blur. i think i clicked on some concert links from facebook, which led me from one page to another. and then there was wongfu production who were commissioned to direct LH's latest single 依然愛你 which led me from one youtube vid to another and another and another.. you name it music videos (chk out his VEVO page), concert (i almost never watch any concert vids coz usually the sound quality isn't very good - i made an exception here :P), commercials (he endorses so many products sometimes i think it's a bit too much, but hey, it's his money to earn!), game show participation, snippets.
i especially liked his interviews with CNN and Talk Asia (both which i have previously seen and have since re-watched) because those were in English haha.. but soon those weren't enough, so i've been started on his Chinese interviews too -- man, it's a pool load of videos! it takes a lot of focus to get what are being said, but i think i got them for most part. then i found some super diligent fangirls who have painstakingly translated his weibo tweets into English to my sheer delight. yes, i read every single one of them. also, i must have read and referred to his his wiki page a hundred times (i have a tab opened as i write this). and i saw three of his latest movies too.. the three L's: Lust, Caution; Little Big Soldier (re-watch); Love in Disguise. (quick review: the first was intense and well-executed, the second hilarious and heart warming, and the third (his directorial debut), somewhat funny but can be better - i like the scenes that mirror his real life - those were the good ones). and above all, i've been listening to his music! i now illegally own every one of his albums from the past 10 years (his work prior to that is rather raw for my liking). i know, i should be paying for them right? next one la. :P
yup i did ALL those in the past one month. it feels like i've been a fan since forever! really, ask me anything. haha! it's amazing to think that he's been in the business since 1995 (that's... 17 years. he's practically a veteran in his own right.. can't believe it took me that long to become a bona fide fan but there's no such thing as too late right :) my only wish now is to see him in concert, in action. of course i want to kick myself for not going for the recent one, but i can't do anything about that anymore. made a pact with WW that we will not miss the next concert here! :)
one of the most significant moments in this whole phase is when i realised that he could be the role model i've been looking for.. you know about my resolution earlier this year about been wanting to study Chinese? i never really found my motivation until now. LH didn't speak much Chinese growing up, and yet he's made his name in a predominantly Chinese speaking world. when i watch his interviews and see how articulate he's become, i just thought to myself: I could do that too! if this banana boy could, why not i? and the light bulb above my head just lit up! :) so i've started with his songs -- there are so many new words to be learned, but i know i can do it (if i could do it 20 years ago with Jimmy Lin, i could do it now with Lee Hom.one character at one time.. urgh 20 years o_O). although what i really wanna learn is business Chinese, this will do for now. :)
frankly my admiration grew along my exposure to him and his works.. his work ethics especially -- i've always admired that trait in others as it is sorely lacking in my life. plus i like how he's embraced his Chinese roots despite being a born and bred New Yorker, and what he's endeavoring to do with his music. maybe it's too presumptuous to say that i get his vision, but i like that i am not skeptical about it (been feeling a little jaded lately, this tiny breath of hope is much welcome!)
so hello there, my new old friend. :)
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