Stars in their eyes, but fate is the hand that guides

One night, I introduced Kai, a young friend who is graduating from the Central Drama Academy, to a famous Taiwanese singer I know. Kai has studied music all his life. He plays piano and saxophone and writes his own music. He also has a handsome face that rivals the top stars in China. In a nutshell, he has star potential, as a visiting Broadway producer once commented.

However, there is no guarantee that he will ever realize his potential. His parents are retired workers from a State-owned factory. They have no connections or money to help him get ahead in the crushingly competitive show business. So, I act as his big brother and do my best to introduce him to people who could help him.

There were six of us at the dinner table. The Taiwanese singer counseled Kai to be patient and always work hard. The two young stars his company had just signed, he said, never practiced enough and forgot lyrics in performances.