Vocalist seeks to rediscover her voice and life's mission

Having donned several hats - among them singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and fashionista - Miriam Yeung Chin-Wah returns to what made her a star 15 years ago - singing.

At the release of her 26th album on March 8 in a fancy Beijing restaurant, the 37-year-old said: "I've been through many ups and downs this past decade. I have been concerned about the songs I sang, the roles I played and the impressions I have left on the audience, but I have ignored myself," she continues.

"Although I am not a newcomer to show business, I see this new album as a fresh starting point."

The album, Ready or Not, which is the latest from Yeung after an eight-year break, has her collaborating with renowned lyricist Lin Xi, a prolific writer of both Cantonese and Mandarin songs and a long-time friend.

"Although we don't have frequent contact, whenever we meet, we can chat for hours," says Yeung, who got married in 2009 to Real Ting, a PR executive in Hong Kong.

"Marriage means (entering) a different stage of life. Although I was 35 when I got married, I am happy," she says.

The new album's songs, such as Ready or Not, Women in 30s and Mr Right, are the result of a talk she once had with Lin about being a woman and the pressures of being single.

"I didn't expect that he would give me songs a few days later. I was so happy because the lyrics expressed my thoughts very well," she says. "The songs are very me, (and reflect) my personality and my mood at that moment."

In Women in 30s and Ready or Not, Yeung encourages women to enjoy life even if they are in their 30s and still single.

Asked about the biggest change that marriage has brought, she says she feels more relaxed. "I never watched a movie in a theater after I became a singer. I never showed a negative mood in front of the media. My husband taught me to be natural," she says.

She entered showbiz after coming in third in Hong Kong's annual New Talent Singing Awards competition in 1995.

Such albums as Why Aquarius, Maiden's Prayer and Sisters won Yeung wide popularity as well as numerous Best Female Singer awards across Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland.

With nearly 30 films, mostly comedies, under her belt, Yeung's screen persona was that of a naive girl, as seen in the young police officer of the 2002 Love Undercover. Her role as a clumsy Budweiser girl in the romantic comedy Drink, Drank, Drunk, by director Derek Yee in 2005, won her a Best Actress nomination at the Golden Horse Film Festival.

"I am not the most beautiful or talented actress around, nor the best singer, but I work hard and am sincere about learning," she says, looking back on her career.

As the oldest child of her family, she has always shown independence and a strong sense of responsibility.

Before entering showbiz at 22, Yeung worked as a nurse for four years. "Seeing death up close taught me to be optimistic and calm," she says.

The release of her album Unlimited in 2006 marked the start of the downturn in her singing career.

"The (recording) company's concept for the album made me look masculine. I didn't like it and complained to my producer. Although I compromised then I couldn't go on," she says.

Yeung left the company and turned her focus to movies. Her marriage also inspired her to take up more serious roles, such as the cosmetics salesgirl in the 2010 flick Love in Puff by Pang Ho-cheung. The role won her another Best Actress nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

But Yeung says singing is what defines her and she now wants to use that to tell real stories about women.

"Women are sentimental, and I want to give them courage," she says.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/26/2011 page11)