Karen Kong on 988: Xing Guang Wang Ka
From the 表演 Vol.2 reissue to filming in Taiwan, meeting fans and finding her voice in the studio: revisit Karen’s musical journey through this four-part interview.
Overview
Karen presents the reissue as a thank-you to fans and a reflection of her growth through photography in Taiwan and new studio experiments. She discusses Namewee’s commitment on the music-video set, Fred Chong’s search for personality in her singing, and the value of meeting listeners during promotional performances.
A new edition and growth on stage
An edition for the fans
Part 1 · 00:18 ↗Karen introduces the celebratory reissue 表演 Vol.2 and the care put into its packaging. After a printing problem, the team chose to reprint it so fans would receive something they could enjoy. She connects the stronger visual identity of this edition with the confidence she gained through promotional performances.
Continuing through setbacks
Part 1 · 01:50 ↗Looking back on the difficulties since her Malay-language debut and doubts expressed by others, she describes the new image as an expression of persistence. The team wanted to develop the music as well as the packaging, and she saw the reissue as a way to thank listeners for their support.
Singing with the Penang audience
Part 1 · 03:41 ↗She recalls the 988 music party in Penang on 12 July: a busy sequence of travel, rehearsal, make-up and performance. Her strongest memory is the audience joining in with 陣陣跳 when she invited them to sing. As a newcomer, she found that response especially encouraging.
Photographing the album in Taiwan
A first experience of Taiwan
Part 2 · 00:00 ↗Karen shares her first impressions of Taiwan, from its culture and night markets to the photographic team’s working methods. She feels that different professional perspectives can produce a different visual result, and describes the trip as an opportunity to learn.
Continuing to learn Mandarin
Part 2 · 02:27 ↗When the conversation turns to language, she says she is still attending Mandarin classes and practising. Being able to give an interview in Mandarin does not mean she wants to stop improving. The discussion also includes lighter stories about shopping, overflowing luggage and rushing through the airport.
Putting her personality into the photographs
Part 2 · 04:19 ↗She explains that the photographer let her choose her own poses so that the pictures would reflect her personality. Before travelling, she looked at magazines and prepared for the shoot to make good use of the limited time. The trip also included a music-video shoot, which leads into Part 3.
Working with Namewee and meeting fans
Making the 陣陣跳 music video
Part 3 · 00:00 ↗Karen describes Namewee as humorous away from work but serious and professional when directing the 陣陣跳 music video. Its walking imagery reflects her promotional journey. She recalls him filming her from the back of a crew member’s motorcycle. She also mentions his lyric-writing work for her, including 給我一點時間.
The value of meeting listeners in person
Part 3 · 02:15 ↗Although promotional appearances were tiring, she valued signing for listeners, thanking them personally and seeing their immediate reactions to the music. She wanted the video to help fans revisit that journey. The conversation also turns to the songs and music videos included in the reissue.
Support that helps her keep singing
Part 3 · 04:34 ↗Karen thanks fans for buying legitimate releases and helping her continue performing. She presents 表演 Vol.2 as a thank-you to them. Recalling the physical demands of promotion, she says exhaustion and a sore throat sometimes affected her ability to sing, a topic continued in Part 4.
Finding her voice in the studio
Live singing and the producer’s expectations
Part 4 · 00:00 ↗Continuing the previous discussion, Karen says she still wanted to sing live even when she was not feeling well. Turning to Fred Chong’s production approach, she describes a greater emphasis on finding her own personality in the vocals. Repeated experimentation in the studio helped her explore a different approach to the new songs.
Getting a complete acoustic take right
Part 4 · 01:47 ↗She describes recording an acoustic version in complete takes. Problems with feeling, pitch or words meant trying again. The challenge was to sustain concentration and the emotional flow of the whole song, rather than simply sing the right notes.
Taiwan as a possible next step
Part 4 · 04:44 ↗The later conversation also touches on an awards event and fan support. Asked about developing her career in Taiwan, Karen says she hopes to do so but that nothing is confirmed at that point. Improving her Mandarin remains important to her. She closes by returning to the reissue and thanking listeners and fans.