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Jessie Chung

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Jessie Chung
Born
Kuching, Malaysia
Occupations
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
  • author
  • nutritional consultant
Years active1998–present
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese鍾潔希
Simplified Chinese钟洁希
Transcriptions
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingZung1 Git3 Hei1
Southern Min
Hokkien POJCheng Kiat-hi
Musical career
OriginMalaysia
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • electric organ
  • guitar
  • piano
LabelsWarner Music Group
WebsiteOfficial Jessie Chung Website
In this Chinese name, the family name is Chung.

Jessie Chung (simplified Chinese: 钟洁希; traditional Chinese: 鍾潔希; pinyin: ZhōngJiéXī; Jyutping: Zung1 Git3 Hei1; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Cheng Kiat-hi) is a transgendered Malaysian musician, singer, songwriter, actress, author, naturopath, and nutritional consultant.[1]

She released her album Home in 1998 and There is a Decision in 2000. After a 5-year hiatus, she released Loving You in 2006.[2] She is currently active in China, Southeast Asia, and Australia, and has released nine albums since the beginning of her career, most notably Love in You, Tearless Sky, There You Are and Be Strong. She currently serves as president of the Malaysia Naturopathic Association (MNA)[3] and vice-president of the Malaysian Anti-Cancer Association (MACA).[4] She has written several medical publications, including, Stay Away from Cancer and Stay Away from Diseases, and is the author of the Jessie Diary series.

Career

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

Jessie Chung, a descendant of the Hakka lineage from Dapu, Guangzhou, was born in Kuching, Malaysia. She is the second child in her family, with one elder sister, three younger sisters, and one younger brother. Chung grew up with a musical background and passed grade 8 organ at a young age. As a child and teenager, she participated extensively in singing competitions. She wanted to pursue a full-time musical career after graduating from high school, but in the end, she chose to focus on her studies. After graduating from university, Chung joined the medical and healthcare industry and founded Natural Health Farm.

2006–2011: Career beginnings

[edit]

In 2006, Chung released Loving You with Symphony Musical House. The album was produced by Deng Zhi Zhang and contains 10 original tracks.[2]

In 2007, Jessie Chung began authoring and published her first book, Jessie Diary. The latest book in the series is Jessie Diary 7: A Starry Sky.

In 2009, Chung released Message of Love from the Moon through Symphony Musical House.[5]

In 2011, Chung released I Just Fall in Love Again through Symphony Musical House.[6]

2012–2014: Love in You and acting

[edit]

In 2012, Chung invited Jet Yi and Wu Guan Yan to produce her album. They wrote ten songs and five song lyrics, while Chung herself wrote the lyrics for the other five.[7] On 30 November 2012, Chung abandoned US$33 million of inheritance and released Love in You in Taiwan. Her husband appeared to show his support.[8][9] The album topped Ai FM's Chart in Malaysia, occupying the number one spot for two consecutive weeks. The eponymous single “Love in You” was chosen as the theme song and ending theme for Fox Networks Group's Korean drama Secret Garden.[10]

Chung held her first concert in Taipei, the Love in You Concert on 21 December 2012. Her ex-fiancée flew from the US while her mother-in-law flew from Malaysia to attend the concert.[11]

In 2013, Chung starred as lead actress in the Griffin Group production Faces,[12] playing Li Yu and Yuan Yuan, the main character. Jackie Lui starred as the lead actor while supporting actors include Liu Hua, Law Kar-ying, and Cheng Pei-pei.

Chung was inducted into the Chinese Who's Who Society in 2013.[13]

Near the end of 2013, Chung starred in Unchanging Love, a film production organized by the students of One World Hanxing College of Journalism and Communication. Proceeds of the film went to fund treatments of underprivileged cancer patients.[14]

In 2014, Chung cameoed in the movie Kungfu Taboo, sharing the screen with Kara Wai, Frederick Lee, and Henry Thia.[15]

2015–2016: Tearless Sky

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On 21 May 2015, Chung released Tearless Sky, an album that also presents itself as a self-narrative.[16] Renowned variety show host Hsu Nai-lin came to her album release party to show his support.[17] The album rose to 6th place on the Pop Radio Top Ten Music Chart, 20th place on Five Music's Mandarin Chart and 4th place on the i Radio Top Hits Chart.

On 4 June 2015, Jessie Chung was invited to appear on the Taiwanese variety show Kangsi Coming.[18] She was also invited to many other TV shows including Genius Go Go Go, GTO Reunion, Hot Door Night, 100% Entertainment, etc.

On 30 June 2015, Chung performed the Tearless Sky Concert in Taipei.[19]

On 21 September 2015, Faces, starring Chung and Jackie Lui, premiered in Malaysia.[20][21][22]

On 17 October 2015, Chung held her solo concert, the Love Unity Concert, to fund treatments of underprivileged cancer patients. Guest artists included Malaysian singers Fauziah Latiff and Ziana Zain, and the concert raised RM170,000.[23][24]

On 12 November 2015, Chung signed with Beijing CTV Star Culture Development Co., the same label that Eric Moo is signed to.[25]

On 6 May 2016, Chung opened the avant-garde Exquisite Chinese Orchestra Concert. She was accompanied by a 22-piece Chinese orchestra while she performed many classic songs, making her the first Malaysian act to completely replace a modern band with a traditional Chinese orchestra in concert. Ten shows in total were played in both West and East Malaysia.[26][27]

On 28 May 2016, Chung was cast as the main character Yang Xiao Fan in Moonlight, a large-scale stage production based on a true story. The stage play was shown all across Malaysia, and all proceeds went to fund treatments of underprivileged cancer patients.[28] During the third performance, Chung accidentally sprained her ankle but continued to perform until the curtain call, despite the pain.

2016–2017: Australian record deal and Be Strong

[edit]

In 2016, Jessie Chung signed to Future Entertainment & Music Group Australia to prepare for her debut in the international music scene and began to record the album There You Are.[29]

On 23 August 2016, Jessie Chung released her debut English album There You Are. Ditching her usual softer personality, Jessie chose to rock a blonde hairstyle and rebellious obsidian dress to fit in with the new genre of her album.[30] Future Entertainment & Music Group Australia's CEO appeared at the release party to congratulate her.

On 23 August 2016, Chung released her debut English album There You Are.[30] Future Entertainment & Music Group Australia's CEO appeared at the release party to congratulate her.

On 24 August 2016, Chung started her There You Are Concert Tour, completing five shows in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Kuching.[31]

On 30 October 2016, Chung brought her There You Are Tour to Taipei Ximending.[32]

On 13 November 2016, Chung's album There You Are peaked at No.2 on Five Music's International Chart and No.2 on i Radio's International Chart, becoming the first Malaysian singer to enter into Five Music's International Chart. Her record label presented her with the Outstanding Achievement Award.[33][34]

On 16 December 2016, Chung released her second Australian-produced English rock album, Be Strong. At the press conference, Chung received the title “Princess of Rock” and a diamond-studded guitar as a gift from her record label.[35]

From 18 December 2016 to May 2017, Jessie Chung toured across Malaysia with the Be Strong Concert Tour. She also performed in China and Taiwan, bringing her shows to a total of 16 different cities.

On 30 December 2016, Chung's album There You Are achieved platinum status.[36]

On 3 February 2017, during Chinese New Year, Chung was struck on the nose by her partner in a badminton match and was sent to the emergency room.[37]

On 7 May 2017, a press conference for the release of Be Strong was held in Taipei, Taiwan.[38]

On 19 May 2017, Chung's album Be Strong sold over 15,000 physical copies and achieved platinum status.[39] In addition, the album topped both Five Music's International Chart and i Radio's International Chart with two No.1 positions, and the eponymous single shot to No.3 on UFO Radio's International Top Singles Chart. The music videos of Be Strong also exceeded 5 million views on YouTube.[40]

2018 - present: Stage Play

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In December 2017, Chung was cast as the lead female role Sandy in Music Box, a large-scale stage production adapted from a true story and produced by Australian producer Neil McLean.[41] The stage play was performed in Taiwan,[42] Indonesia[43] and all across Malaysia. All proceeds went to fund treatments of underprivileged cancer patients.[44]

On 3 July 2020 to 18 July 2020, Chung was cast as the lead female role Yinglan Shia in the stage play Meant to Be, together with American actor Paul Lee.[45]

On 24 July 2020 to 23 August 2020, Chung was cast as the lead female role Lin Daiyu in the stage play adaptation of the renowned Chinese novel The Dream of Red Mansions (Chinese: 紅樓夢), with a total of 13 shows.[46][47]

On 28 August 2020 to 13 September 2020, Chung was cast as the lead female role Du Xiaomeng in the stage play Tearless Sky, with a total of 8 shows.[48]

On 26 September 2020 to 4 October 2020, Chung was cast as the lead female role He Peirou in the stage play Afterglow, with a total of 4 shows, which was interrupted due to the lockdown during the pandemic.[49]

On 25 February 2023, Chung was cast as the lead female role of Zhu Yingtai in the stage play adaptation of the Chinese legend Butterfly Lovers, together with 35 casts from Taiwan, US, Australia, and Malaysia.[50][51]

Marriage

[edit]

On 12 November 2005, Chung was married to Joshua Beh at the Riverside Majestic Hotel in Kuching. Their marriage is not supported or recognized under Malaysia's law and they never received their marriage certificates from the government due to the fact that she was a male(transgender) and married to a male. They have stated that the situation is understandable under the Malaysian constitution that forbids same sex marriage.[52]</ref> On 7 May 2017, at the press conference for the release of Be Strong, Chung's artist manager brought her and Joshua their Australian permanent residence certificate and stated that Chung and her husband will soon legally register their marriage in Australia and hold a wedding once again at Gold Coast.[53]

Discography

[edit]
No. Album Name Label Released Language Notes
1 Home (充满爱的心) - 1998 Mandarin
2 There Is a Decision (有了决定) - 2000 Mandarin
3 Loving You (爱你) Symphony Musical House 20 January 2007 Mandarin
4 Message of Love from the Moon (明月千里寄相思) Symphony Musical House 13 March 2009 Mandarin
5 I Just Fall in Love Again Symphony Musical House 13 January 2012 English
6 Love in You (爱在转瞬间) Symphony Musical House 20 November 2012 Mandarin
  • No.1 album on Ai FM's Chart in Malaysia for multiple weeks
7 Tearless Sky (没有泪的天空) Warner Music Malaysia

Symphony Musical House

15 May 2015 Mandarin
  • Peaked at No.6 on Taiwan's Pop Radio Top Ten Music Chart
  • Reached No.20 on Five Music's Mandarin Chart
  • Reached No.4 on i Radio's Top Hits Chart
8 There You Are Warner Music Malaysia

Future Entertainment & Music Group Australia

24 September 2016 English
  • Reached No.2 on Five Music's International Chart (Only second to Lady Gaga), ranked above Sia who released an album the same week
  • Reached No.2 on i Radio's International Chart
  • Reached No.6 on Baidu's New Song Chart, Baidu's Hot Chart, and Baidu's Golden Hits Chart.
  • Sold over 15,000 physical copies, received Platinum Record[54]
9 Be Strong Warner Music Malaysia

Future Entertainment & Music Group Australia

15 December 2016 English
  • Peaked at No.1 on Five Music's International Chart in Taiwan[55]
  • Peaked at No.1 on i Radio's International Chart in Taiwan[56]
  • Reached No.3 on UFO Radio's International Top Singles Chart in Taiwan[57]
  • Sold over 15,000 physical copies, received Platinum Record[58]

Concert tours

[edit]
Title No. of Shows Location Date Notes
Love in You Concert 1 show Taiwan 21 December 2012
Tearless Sky Concert 2 shows Taiwan 3 June 2015
Malaysia 1 July 2015 Guest artist: Yi Jet Qi
Love Unity Concert 1 show Malaysia Megastar Arena 17 October 2015 Guest artists: Fauziah Latiff and Ziana Zain
Exquisite Chinese Orchestra Concert 10 shows Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 24 March 2016 Accompanied by a traditional Chinese orchestra to disseminate Chinese culture
Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 26 March 2016
Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 2 April 2016
Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 9 April 2016
Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 16 April 2016
Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 23 April 2016
Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 30 April 2016
Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 21 May 2016
Kenyalang Theatre, Kuching 21 June 2016
Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 28 June 2016
There You Are Concert Tour 5 shows Malaysia Setia Alam 24 August 2016
Kuching 28 August 2016
Sunway Plaza 2 September 2016
Penang 21 October 2016
Taiwan Taipei Ximending 31 October 2016
Be Strong Concert Tour 16 shows Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre 18 December 2016
China Dongguan, China 23 December 2016
Kelana Jaya 31 December 2016
Klang 1 January 2017
Kepong 6 January 2017
Kuala Lumpur 7 January 2017
Kluang, Johor 13 January 2017
Johor Bahru 14 January 2017
Butterworth, Penang 19 January 2017
Ipoh, Perak 22 January 2017
Kuching, Sarawak 5 February 2017
Kuantan 10 February 2017
Melaka 12 February 2017
Genting Highlands 16 February 2017
Taipei Ximending 6 May 2017
Setia Alam 24 May 2017

Acting career

[edit]

Theatre

[edit]
Year Production Role No. of Shows Theater Notes
2016 Moonlight Yang Xiao Fan (main character) 10 shows Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) 18 October 2016
Penang PAC 20–21 August 2016
Kenyalang Theatre, Kuching 12 June 2016
Shah Alam Performing Arts Centre (SPAC) 7–28 May 2016
2017-2018 Music Box Sandy Qin (main character) 17 shows Clapper Studio, Taipei 31 March 2018
Auditorium of Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia 7 March 2018
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) 16 January 2018
Penang Performing Arts Centre (Penang PAC) 27 January 2018
Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) 3 March 2018
Kenyalang Theatre, Kuching 17 March 2018
Paragon International School Auditorium, Johor 20 January 2018
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Sabah 14 April 2018
Symphony Theatre 15 December 2017

19 December 2017

21 December 2017

23 December 2017

30 December 2017

6 January 2018

13 January 2018

4 February 2018

7 April 2018

2020 Meant to Be YingLan Shia (main character) 8 shows Symphony Theatre 3 July 2020 - 18 July 2020
2020 Dream of the Red Mansions Lin Daiyu (main character) 13 shows Symphony Theatre 24 July 2020 - 23 August 2020
2020 Tearless Sky Du Xiaomeng (main character) 8 shows Symphony Theatre 28 August 2020 - 13 September 2020
2020 Afterglow He Peirou (main character) 4 shows Symphony Theatre 26 September 2020 - 4 October 2020
2023 Butterfly Lovers Zhu Yingtai 6 shows Symphony Theatre 25 February 2023 - 9 April 2023
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) 26 March 2023

Film

[edit]
Title Role Release Date Other Actors
Unchanging Love Sister (main character) Malaysia 2014
Kungfu Taboo Cameo Malaysia 25 February 2015 Kara Hui, Frederick Lee, Henry Thia
Faces Li Yu
Yuan Yuan after plastic surgery (main character) 		Malaysia 23 September 2015 Jackie Lui, Law Kar-ying, Cheng Pei-pei

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "8 Influential Malaysian Transgenders You Didn't Know About". 17 November 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Jessie Chung's album Loving You". Sin Chew Daily. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Malaysia Naturopathic Association Committee". Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  4. ^ "Malaysia Anti-Cancer Association: About Us". Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  5. ^ "New album release, Jessie Chung achieves three of her dreams". Sin Chew Daily. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Jessie Chung's new album selling well". Sin Chew Daily. 14 January 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  7. ^ "Jet Yi and Wu Guan Yan brought on the team, Jessie Chung does 600 takes for a song". Sin Chew Daily. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  8. ^ "Jessie Chung abandons $33 million USD of inheritance, receives husband's support". NOWnews. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Willing to sacrifice for her art, Jessie Chung releases Love in You". Sin Chew Daily. 9 December 2012. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  10. ^ "Jessie Chung's Love in You highly acclaimed". Sin Chew Daily. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Jessie Chung: couldn't have asked for more, ex-fiancée shows support in Taiwan". NOWnews. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  12. ^ "Faces in Malaysian theatres, enlists some of the biggest film stars". news.seehua.com. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  13. ^ Lydia. "Jessie Chung induced into the Chinese Who's Who Society 2013". www.mingren168.org. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Jessie Chung stars in Unchanging Love, suspends singing career". Sin Chew Daily. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Kungfu Taboo starts filming in May| NewsKaki.com". newsKaki.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Jessie Chung releases new album, ex-fiancée and husband shows support". ent.ifeng.com. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  17. ^ "Jessie Chung reveals dream about Hsu Nai-lin|ETNEWS|". ETNEWS. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  18. ^ Chung T'ien Television (3 June 2015), 2015.06.04 Kangsi Coming Preview, retrieved 9 June 2017
  19. ^ "Paragon of marriage equality, Jessie Chung and ex-fiancée become besties|20150530|Apple Daily". Apple Daily. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  20. ^ "Director praises Jessie Chung's performance at the Faces charity premiere|". news.seehua.com. 22 September 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  21. ^ "Suspense with a touch of romance Jessie Chung stars in Faces". Oriental Daily News. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Lead female role highly acclaimed, Jessie Chung becomes the envy of many actresses| NewsKaki.com". newsKaki.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Jessie Chung ends her Love Unity Concert on a bang!". Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  24. ^ "Jessie Chung to perform additional concert in December". China Press. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  25. ^ "Jessie Chung signed to Beijing CTV Star, becomes Eric Moo's labelmate| Almond Magazine". Almond Magazine. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  26. ^ "Jessie Chung's Exquisite Chinese Orchestra Concert completes 10 shows". www.kwongwah.com.my. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  27. ^ "Jessie Chung's Exquisite Chinese Orchestra Concert: a new spectacle". Sin Chew Daily. 25 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  28. ^ "Jessie Chung wins over the crowd with new stage play Moonlight". news.yule.com.cn. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  29. ^ "Welcome Jessie Chung". Retrieved 20 July 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  30. ^ a b China Times. "Jessie Chung releases debut English album There You Are". China Times. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  31. ^ "A blonde Jessie Chung meets fans". China Press. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  32. ^ Liberty Times Net (30 October 2016). "Jessie Chung live in Taiwan, speaks of 19-year-old son". ent.ltn.com.tw. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  33. ^ "Jessie Chung wins the Outstanding Achievement Award". China Press. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  34. ^ "Jessie Chung wins the Outstanding Achievement Award". Sina News Headline. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  35. ^ "Jessie Chung releases another English album Be Strong". selebritionline.com. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  36. ^ "Album "There You Are" Jessie Chung is now certified platinum - Selebriti Online". selebritionline.com. 30 December 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  37. ^ "Jessie Chung receives sports injury". Sin Chew Daily. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  38. ^ United Daily News. "New album and Australian permanent residency, Jessie Chung elated on her birthday". Stars United Daily News. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  39. ^ "Jessie Chung to duet with Fauziah Latiff in first Malay album". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  40. ^ "Jessie Chung receives platinum record for There You Are". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  41. ^ "Jessie Chung's stage play Music Box an emotional rollercoaster". NOWnews. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  42. ^ United Daily News. "Jessie Chung sheds tears in Music Box even after curtain call". Stars United Daily News. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  43. ^ "Music Box stage play inspires West Sumatra's artists". sumbar.antaranews.com. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  44. ^ "Jessie Chung performs to full house in Music Box". The Borneo Post. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  45. ^ "《别说爱错》展哭功 锺洁希话剧获好评|中國報". 中國報 China Press. 21 July 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  46. ^ "體力耐力大考驗 鍾潔希3小時45分演完《紅樓夢》". 光明日报 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 26 July 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  47. ^ "锺洁希《红楼梦》加至13场 《心念》EP为癌患筹款 | 娱乐". 東方網 馬來西亞東方日報 (in Simplified Chinese). 20 August 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  48. ^ "《没有泪的天空》公演 钟洁希突破疫情爱心洒人间 | 娱乐". 東方網 馬來西亞東方日報 (in Simplified Chinese). 2 September 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  49. ^ "钟洁希《微光》话剧926开跑 自爆有被男主动粗戏份 | 娱乐". 東方網 馬來西亞東方日報 (in Simplified Chinese). 24 September 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  50. ^ "《祝英台》破大马记录 锺洁希挑战6小时话剧 - 娱乐 - 大马娱乐". 星洲网 Sin Chew Daily Malaysia Latest News and Headlines (in Simplified Chinese). 7 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  51. ^ "重现梁祝传奇 钟洁希《祝英台》秀精湛演技哭足三小时! | 娱乐". 東方網 馬來西亞東方日報 (in Simplified Chinese). 6 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  52. ^ Million ringgit fairy-tale wedding the talk of the town Archived 18 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine, The Star Online.
  53. ^ United Daily News. "Jessie Chung's decade-long marriage finally recognized in Australia". Stars United Daily News. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  54. ^ Chung Receives Platinum Record for There You Are, Borneo Post Online.
  55. ^ "Five Music's International Chart 2017 Week 19 results". Archived from the original on 20 October 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  56. ^ i Radio's International Chart 2017/5/22~2017/5/28 results[permanent dead link‍]
  57. ^ "Week 904 results international category". Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  58. ^ Chung's new single English album huge success in Taiwan, Daily Express.
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