From technique to feeling
Choosing a Cantonese-music path
This December 2014 interview captures Karen’s growing focus on Cantonese music after working across Malaysia, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The article recalls how her guest-challenger appearances on The Voice brought her to Chiu Tsang Hei’s attention, followed by his Molecular Music Feast and a collaboration with FAMA on 月老. After releasing her first Cantonese single 做我自己 in 2012, she continued writing and released 不愛你的時候 and 隆重而簡單 in 2014. She described Hong Kong’s pace and ambition as opportunities to learn, and hoped to continue working with Chiu while reaching more local listeners.
Learning tenderness in 隆重而簡單
Karen composed 隆重而簡單, with lyrics by Lam Yeuk Ning and production by Chiu Tsang Hei. She had written English lyrics before the Chinese version was completed, but her habitual emphasis when singing English did not automatically suit this song’s gentler feeling. Chiu worked on individual words as well as the overall interpretation. Using the opening imagery of flowers and a ring, he asked her to imagine receiving flowers. She laughed that she rarely received them and found their short life wasteful. When he instead asked how she felt on receiving a gift she truly liked, the expression clicked. She learnt that technique sometimes needed to take a back seat so emotion could bring out tenderness.
Writing and the music video
Karen valued Chiu’s direct feedback and described working with the experienced musician as an important learning process. At the interview, she said he had signed her about two years earlier and had responded positively to a number of songs she had written. She particularly appreciated the sensitivity of Lam Yeuk Ning’s lyrics for 隆重而簡單 and their expression of a woman’s feelings. The article also noted that the music video had been released, with its two central characters drawn by illustrator 徐羨曾, known as 阿徐.
Musical dedications and her view of marriage
The romantic feeling of 隆重而簡單 also found a place in Karen’s performances at weddings. On Facebook, she created 龔開示愛, a small series in which she sang on behalf of people wishing to express affection. Asked about her own marriage plans, she said she was taking things naturally and had not decided when to marry. A lavish ceremony mattered less than having family and close friends present. She wanted honesty, openness and a healthy relationship; a quiet personality was no obstacle. These comments reflect her outlook at the time of the 2014 interview.
Rebuilding confidence after rejection
Karen recalled a long wait before her Malaysian Idol audition, followed by having to sing unaccompanied while tired. She did not advance, and criticism of her expression and technique left her afraid of competitions. She said it took around six months to move beyond that experience, followed by about a year of renewed vocal training. Confidence gradually returned, along with further performances and contests. The article places her later renditions of 太傻 on Taiwan’s Super Idol and 舔傷 on Hong Kong’s The Voice within this process of rebuilding, rather than presenting only her successes.
Returning to the stage with responsibility for a partner
Around the time of publication, Karen had returned to The Voice stage for a duet with another guest challenger. She felt even more pressure than when competing for herself: as the more experienced partner, she wanted to help secure a strong performance and score. Familiarity with judges and their expectations did not make the task straightforward. The original article described the episode as forthcoming, reflecting the schedule known when it was published.
Encouraging listeners through music
The closing discussion covers her work at that time: an appearance at the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo, a planned 26 December event at Citywalk 2 in Tsuen Wan, and TVB8 awards-related promotion involving 不愛你的時候. These were contemporary plans and award contention, not a report of winning. Asked about her artistic identity, Karen wanted her songs to reflect a willingness to get up after setbacks. Music made her happy, and she hoped it could encourage others too. She also expressed enthusiasm for live-band performances and the response of an audience.