I love to hear about women composers because females get that “not as creative” label sometimes. Thus finding out that one of the Supergirls, 19 year-old Wen Xiaorui had composed for idol singer Li Yifeng before was a pleasant surprise.
Apparently she first wrote Good Night, Ferris Wheel for his first EP, and then three other songs for his new album, including Gou Yi Gou, Xiang Xie Yi Shou Ge, and Zui! Diao Che Wei. She also has written quite a few other ones that she’s releasing herself, including the most recent “Na Ge” or “That”, which I liked so much that I uploaded for you; download it here.
She’s with Li Yifeng’s company EQ records and so her entry into the competition is baffling in itself and it’s uncertain what exactly she hopes to gain from it. Her voice needs polishing; she got eliminated in the top 60 to 20 competition, but she’s really a lot better in singing than many that were in the top 20, and definitely better than certain people in the top 10. But of course, she’s from Chengdu, Sichuan and the Sichuan’s district was just too filled with heavy competition. Perhaps she’ll get signed on to the girlband that they want to make since she’s also got the looks + youth.
On the other hand perhaps joining the show was publicity for her songs and she’ll release an album with EQ soon; a few people have been asking where to download her songs after hearing her perform them on Supergirls. “Na Ge” or “That” was one of the ones she sung; She also is going to release another of her own compositions “Hu Die Kai Hua” or “Butterfly Flowers”, which she also sang on the show. Her compositions show diversity in which is really impressive, especially considering her age.
Of course she is just one of the many composers in Supergirls this year which makes me happy. From long ago eliminated girls like Dong Zhen and Wang Mengran, to the beautiful compositions of of the heart-wrenchingly eliminated Wang Zixin, this year’s batch have impressed me with making their own music. Not to mention that Supergirls Judge Ding Wei has composed for others as well, including my favorite Chen Kun song.
So just remember, behind every pretty boy, there might just be a talented girl.
Old Performance
(not one of her own songs, but it’s the only vid I could find on youtube where you didn’t have to wait 6 min before she sings)
And yay! My first Supergirls2009 post! 
Tags: Li Yifeng, Wen Xiaorui
July 7, 2009 at 11:52 pm
She would be so nice in the girlband, since I don’t think her voice is good enough to go solo. Or to have in any company. Li Yifeng is a lucky guy.
July 8, 2009 at 12:06 am
I think her voice is pleasant enough that she deserves to go solo if she writes all her own songs. Her voice is not amazing compared to the rest of the top Supergirls this year, or Supergirls from years past, but I feel like composers should be able to sing their own songs unless they really suck at singing. Which she doesn’t.
And she seems to be quite prolific, not like Xue Zhiqian who has come out with really great songs, but writes them so, so slowly. She’s written seven songs already that I know of, and she may have written more. If she put out an album with those wouldn’t be terrible.
Li Yifeng is lucky. Too lucky. I will never understand the appeal. Although the fact that some 19-year old girl composed three of his songs versus someone like Cao Xuanbin whose been composing for others all his life and desperately wants to sing his own creations is slightly more reassuring.
July 8, 2009 at 1:42 am
I think that the composer of a song definitely deserves as much, if not more, credit than the singer, but they don’t necessarily have to sing a song. I hate to agree with Gao Xiaosong, but I think they should try to find the best voice for the song to make it perfect and be content with having composed the song.
For example, I think someone else should Xue Zhiqian’s songs. Although he can definitely sing, I think other voices can bring out the beauty of the song more.
July 8, 2009 at 1:46 am
She is so pretty, look at her nice and long fingers…nice…and she is thin.
July 8, 2009 at 2:40 am
From what I’ve notice, many of the ex-contestants already released an EP, but I think many joined Super Girls for more exposure.
July 8, 2009 at 3:28 am
@idarklight – I agree with Gao Xiaosong’s sentiment 100%. However that’s the ideal…an ideal that will never happen completely. In this world, many undeserving people get to sing. And I’d much rather she get to sing her own songs than write for Li Yifeng.
@kale Yeah she’s pretty but too thin. Her eyes are huge and being so thin makes them look way too big for her.
@yelei Well, I think many like Liu Xijun got into a bad company and wanted out; but she’s different because EQ is pretty good company. It’s not the best at exposure, but it seems okay with giving their artists albums, etc (they have so many young composers…and one prettyboy).
July 8, 2009 at 4:10 am
cfensi – there was one period where EQ had many of its artists released EPs and albums. In a way I’m pretty jealous of how Korean companies work. I feel like I’m always comparing the Chinese companies with the koreans (ex. YG, SM..etc), but then every country works differently, so yeah.
So in China, all the actresses/actors have to attend school relating to the entertainment industry (dance, music, acting etc).. is that true?
July 8, 2009 at 5:39 am
btw will you be updating 加油！东方天使 ?
I think I will rather that one instead of Super Girls. There is one girl and she looks like GiGi Leung
http://bbs.smgbb.cn/viewthread.php?tid=223507&extra=page%3D1
last picture.
im rather excited to watch this.
July 8, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I used to like the K-companies (back in the HOT days) but now they seem way too obsessed with money and how to make it. Companies need to know how to do that, but I think some of the K-companies go overboard, completely ignoring the artistic side of music. I can see its appeal, that’s what the companies are going for, fans…but at the same time it seems too much about the appeal and I don’t know how that can be lasting.
Companies like Sm buy pre-made songs from non-Korean composers just to save money and it doesn’t help Korean composers. Furthermore, they all seem to obsessed with going into different markets just to supplement their income. It’s not like America + Japan, where they first established themselves, and let others come to them. Koreans go outward. If I was a Korean fan, I’d be frustrated like hell because it seems like as soon as the Kpop groups get popular, they go elsewhere.
Kpop and Cpop are both not fully matured industries, but I don’t like where Kpop is heading. On the bright side for Korea, Kdramas seem to be getting better, less superficial.
I can’t really tell where Cpop is heading, and I think more of the issue lies with lack of outlets for promotion than the companies. I like Hua Yi’s management of their artists best.
It seems eeMedia is heading into Kpop realm. Which is why I’m interested in this year’s Supergirls and what they plan to do with them. That and because the Pan Hongyue, YuKewei, and Jiang Yingrong trio is just too adorable for words.
Gigi Leung is actually my favorite HK actress bc of nostalgic reasons (and the fact HK stopped using their own actresses so all I’m left with is nostalgia), but I don't think I will follow Dragon Angels until the top 10 come out. I don't know about idarklight. With Supergirls (and boys) the competition seems to bring out most of the people that are truly into singing, which I like. And it's not like the Supergirls this year aren't pretty, or don't have personalities so I’m kinda stuck on them. Jiang Yingrong. <3
As for the school thing, not everyone goes to college specially for acting, singing, dancing, hosting but most do I think. I’ve come across a lot that start out as models, but even they went through the four years of Beijing Film Academy afterwards to get in the acting business. Many seem to have gone back to school after getting discovered. Pu Bajia was first discovered by director Sherwood Hu, and then entered into Shanghai Film Academy for more refinement of his acting. I really hope that this aspect of Chinese entertainment doesn’t change even though sometimes, potential talent does get sidelined because of the grade requirements.
July 8, 2009 at 10:50 pm
same here…I’ll watch for the top 10 and see what happens. Absolute Singing’s top 10 was quite a disappointment, though. I have no idea why Jay wants to judge for them instead of the Super Girls.
July 9, 2009 at 4:40 am
Y’know, I don’t think you’re giving the singers enough credit. I love the nuances of a good composition as much as anyone else, but frankly, it’s isn’t that hard to churn out a generic tune, especially for pop music – come up with two simple verses (they can even involve the same basic melody), a catchy/climax refrain, throw in a repetitive bass beat and a simple percussive line, and sprinkle on some instrumental confetti; by then you’re over halfway there. The rest is done by the sound engineers, producers, etc. Considering that most are in 4/4 time and make use of simple arpeggios… eh. It’s not the same process as done by most rock or indie bands, for instance.
Meanwhile, the (good) singer has to really emote and dive into the essence of the song. Songs in the pop market need solid composition to be viable – but need good singers (and most importantly, cynically speaking, good marketing) to become hits. Not belittling the pop composer – they’ve got an important job, and they get too little accolade, yes – but there’s a justified reason they don’t get as notice as, say, soundtrack composers, who also aren’t the stars of whatever they composed for.
However, I agree with you, Cfensi – I don’t think she belongs in a group, because if she can compose while backing it up with a fairly good voice, her talents would be wasted. I’m betting this was a publicity ploy, which may also be part of why she got eliminated.
I dunno – going elsewhere and spreading popularity there is usually something fans want, considering it gives a sense of validation and pride… But I agree – K-Pop seems to be pushing its artists to popularity, while the Japanese and US industries seem more about artists pulling popularity to themselves. And yeah, eeMedia is starting to show signs of that kind of thing, but I’m not seeing them pushing cookie-cutter stuff for profit yet – they just seem to play favorites or pet projects or something; more like they’ve got managerial disorganization and favoritism than overly commercial motives.
Out of curiosity, almost all of the Super Girls I’ve seen have been reasonably attractive. I’m guessing looks play a part in selection – does the competition justify it?
July 9, 2009 at 1:44 pm
@Nepheliad.
I still don’t really think she should go solo since her voice isn’t super amazing. But it’s probably better than Li Yifeng singing them.
As for justification, sort of, sort of not. The competition begun saying that they wanted people who could not only sing but be successful in the other areas of the entertainment industry. but to be honest, most of the people that auditions were quite pretty. I think with Chengdu, it definitely had nothing to do with looks. All four of the Chengdu girls were definitely standouts since round 1. I can’t say the same for Tao Le or Pan Chen.
But then, I’m biased for the Chengdu 4+1.
Xiaoxue (the Elle China editor-in-chief) did justify her vote for Li Yuanxi over Da Chun Zi by saying that she would go to Li Yuanxi’s concerts and buy her CD’s, but would never go to Da Chunzi’s concerts thought she’ll buy her albums…she got bashed pretty badly.
I think eeMedia “justified” it by having the judges making up generally reasonable excuses for kicking the other people out and keeping them in.. (Tan Lina, you’ve improved so much! Your voice is so much better! So we’ll let you in. (hidden message: you still suck in vocals compared to everyone else, but we’ve finally found an excuse to keep you in)
On the other hand, I think it’s pretty much the same as the past years. No one’s been super ugly in the past year.. I mean, Reborn got pretty far in 2006 with popular vote, and they can’t sing at all.
July 9, 2009 at 4:30 pm
@ Nepheliad
I didn’t think I was giving off the impression that I value average composition skills over a great singer’s skills…was I? I hope not. In fact I think a lot of people abuse “composing” to gain credibility even though their composing is just average, or bad.
But it is nice seeing women composers (the only famous soundtrack ones I can think of are Rachel Portman and Lisa Gerrard) andd I do think Wen Xiaorui has potential as a composer, albeit a pop composer.
Korea’s market tactic is kind of interesting and I’m curious, since I’m curious about trends, where it’s industry is going with that sort of outward push because I haven’t seen it in Asia before. It reminds me of the Scandinavian countries which have their own languages, but all speak English in order to have a broader market.
So far, I feel like the competition has almost been more fair than when the public voted for them. In past competitions, they were less-attractive not because China voted for talent over looks, but rather because China loves underdogs. Which is kind of why Li Yuchun won over Bibi and Jane. It’s also imo why Laure Shang won over Tan Weiwei. Tan Weiwei was blessed with a better background. The ones I think had the best, most unique voices were also the prettiest imo, Jane and Jade Liu. They both got in third. If Susan Boyle went on, China would probably vote her to the top too even if there was someone who was prettier and a better singer.
July 9, 2009 at 5:47 pm
^ You’re right. I mean what’s the point of picking someone pretty because honestly there are numerous gorgeous/beautiful people out there. They’re going to get bashed on for being a vase etc.
July 9, 2009 at 7:08 pm
@yelei
huh?
@cfensi
Do you really think Tan Weiwei has a better voice? I feel like Laure Shang’s is a lot more distinguishable, while TWW’s is hard to tell apart from voices of all the other Tibetan-styled singers.
but I’m definitely pro-third places winners. XD
I feel like Korea’s adaption of Western music has also allowed them to keep other cultural values and symbol in other areas of life. And it gave them the pride and motivation that they perhaps needed to keep those other values.
July 9, 2009 at 7:43 pm
@idarklight I wouldn’t say I think Laure’s better or worse. But I think she definitely had an edge as an outsider to music, whereas Tan Weiwei was more “in” the system, as a student of Sichuan Conservatory of Music.
As for your last point… I wasn’t talking about the Westernization of Korean music , but rather Korean singers singing in another language, a language that Korean fans can’t understand? Actually that wouldn’t be westernization. It’d be Japanese-fication.
But I also kinda disagree with your last point. Korea’s been rather good at resisting cultural change to outside forces before. And compare them to Thailand, Vietnam, etc who I also think retain their heritage rather well and are both just as cohesive and understanding about their culture.
If you’re thinking of in contrast to China, well China’s just a special case due to so many years of Manchu rule and Mao Zedong and the fact that there is so much diversity and it’s so big. But China’s modernization is young…give the cultural reattainment time.
July 10, 2009 at 2:36 am
idarklight – I was agreeing with cfensi that China seems to be more about talent rather than beauty such as 韩红.
July 10, 2009 at 6:26 pm
@ idarklight – Her voice isn’t super amazing, but it’s not any worse than most singers. I couldn’t see her making it big, but I could see her as a composer for others that occasionally puts out her own albums. And I agree about Laure Shang versus Tan Weiwei – the first thing I thought when hearing TWW was that she’s no Li Na (not the Super Girl, the singer-turned-nun).
Most of the people that auditioned were pretty? Why would that be? I guess Super Girl doesn’t exactly give off the more general audience feel that American Idol-type shows do; is the fanbase/applicant pool generally the more “preppy” type? It’s not that I don’t see the point of having pretty girls and the effect beauty has on marketability – I was just curious as to the rhetoric they were using to be politically correct, haha.
@ Cfensi – It sorta came off that way to me, but I probably just inferred incorrectly. And yeah, that’s starting to grate on me – “composing” for pop songs is not really a talent in and of itself, especially since most of the time, the sound engineers and arrangers do most of the legwork. Seeing female composers is a nice change of pace, though, of course. I’d add Yoko Kanno and Yoko Shimomura (though the second is a VG soundtrack composer), but the list is small.
Li Yuchun as unattractive? Really? She’s not as pretty as some of the other girls, sure, but she’s, at the very least, decent in the way of looks. I’ve yet to see one Super Girl that doesn’t fit the “fit/thin, decently to very pretty, cute in some way” mold – that is, if that’s the average in China, then China’s “plain janes” are not exactly what most of the world would call plain… As for the underdog thing, though, absolutely. It’s pretty much universal that underdogs have a great – and sometimes unfair – appeal.
BTW, a digression, but what other cultural outside sources has Korea faced before which they didn’t get influenced by? China mostly viewed Korea as a tributary nation or with disinterest, and even then they adopted many Chinese festivals and customs, plus before adoption of hangul, they used hanja, featuring Chinese characters. In fact, in some senses, China has been more resistant to cultural changes than Korea or Japan, rejecting Western influences on its culture throughout its history. When even regional cultural mindsets are known internationally, the culture’s pretty strong, and with China, reattainment post-revolution and developing pride will only make it stronger (“Sinosphere”, LOL). I never got why there’s this thought that China’s culture has waned when its values and antics, from work ethic to decor to corruption, has been around for thousands of years. I mean, there’s a line between retaining and stagnation… The younger generations always buck tradition and culture for a while, so that’s just something universal.
Vietnam’s case has more to do with its government’s continued stronger hold on the nation, without a Maoist cultural revolution than natural resistance. That’s also probably why it’s been slower to flourish like J/K/C, but it’s finally beginning to do so.
July 11, 2009 at 6:27 am
i must say that her ‘na ge’ song is aboslutely stunning. im in love with it, i’ve just been listening to it nonstop, the tune is just so catchy. i can really imagine her making it big one day, she’s has the potential to create great new songs. her songs now atm probably aren’t the best, but she’s only 19 she’s got stacks of time. even though she doesn’t have the best voice, but she’s similar to someone like jay chou, he doesn’t have the absolute stunning voice, but his songs are just fantastic, and he still made it big. this girl has a fantastic future ahead of her. goodluck to her!
July 11, 2009 at 3:44 pm
@Nepheliad
I can’t believe I forgot Yoko Kanno. I knew her before the other two…due to Fox Kids channel and a certain anime.
She’s magnificent.
Well, in regards to the Supergirls looks, it’s also notable that many contestants are younger as well, due to already three years of Supergirls. And in China I find that a few years make a big difference, because of how rapidly China is modernizing, so younger girls know how to dress better as well.
I must admit I’m not sure exactly what outside forces S.K encountered…but your point about Vietnam does remind me of the fact that South Korea was a dictatorship as well until 1987 (I think). I guess when you put it that way, China’s culture hasn’t really been diminished although there always seems to be more that China could do to make it prominent. It’d be nice if China could regain her cultural identity, while not taking back up the hierarchy and misogyny Communist rule tried to eradicate.
@dbskholic Glad you enjoyed the song!
July 11, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I always had the impression that one of the ways that China has survived for so long was because of its ability to adapt. I mean, through out its history, the Han has been ruled by many, many different ethnicities, but somehow, they’ve never really changed fundamentally. The ways of clothing, entertainment, etc. have changed as the ruling powers switched hands, but there’s always that underlying Han identity that has never changed much.
@nepheliad
other than what cfensi said, which is very true, I think there’s also the idea that the younger generation are more willing to try something like that. Most 40-year-olds in China don’t really think about the possibilities of being the next eeMedia pop star.
that’s something that has changed and I feel is still changing. Before, it’s always been sort of looked down upon for children to pursue less “stable careers.” It’s more acceptable now, but still not popular. I was watching Tian Tian Xiang Shang yesterday, and they invited a high school graduating class that all got into top notched universities. Two of the girls were going to major in mathematics at Fudan University (Laure Shang went there), but one of them wants to be an actress and the other a director.