Ni Reggee Bonoan
MAY nakuha kaming kuwento kung bakit Mandarin songs ang kinanta ni KZ Tandingan sa 6th episode ng Singer 2018 nitong Biyernes.
Ito ang post ni Jeff Vadillo, vice president ng Cornerstone, Inc. na kasamang lumipad ni KZ sa China:
“The decision for the second song turned out to be very challenging for KZ.
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“KZ and the Philippine team wanted for her to sing another one from her existing repertoire (Something like Rolling in the Deep) but our Chinese partners felt otherwise. They were impressed with the mandarin songs she submitted during the auditions and they believe we had to introduce a mandarin song the soonest possible to endear her to the chinese market since KZ entered the competition almost halfway already in the season.
“They gave different song choices until our music producer played a song medley to KZ that was originally intended for another singer. The title of the medley is The Pain Which You Don’t Know. It’s a collection of three popular sad songs beautifully woven to sound as one. It was love at first sight when KZ heard it and all of us were immediately drawn to the song.
“The anchor song of the medley What Else Do You Want From Me is a pleading of someone who after giving his all still ended up being left by that very person he loves. That chorus was so beautiful and painful -- even becoming more heartwrenching when KZ sang it.
“KZ practiced daily for that song for two weeks the hardest part was not just the melody but the pronunciation. In Mandarin, every syllable that’s wrongly pronounced can entirely change the meaning of the word. So, on she worked with a mandarin coach in Hunan and in Manila. I’m just loss for words to describe the effort, dedication and focus she’s put in studying that song.
“On the recording date, one of the Chinese staff saw Mr. Hong (the producer of Singer 2018) cry during rehearsals for this song. Jackie Tam, her music partner said he loved her version more than the original and production told us it was the most accurate rendition of a Mandarin song from any foreign contenders in the show’s history.
“Though KZ did not end on the top rank in that episode but her performance was enough to put her from being a challenger to a regular contender in the show.
“When I watched her performance again online I was on the verge of tears specially how KZ put that deeply emotional ‘hugot’ touch on that beautiful mandarin song. The chinese team’s projection was that the performance - though not necessarily a contest piece - was a good strategic move since it would have a chance to be a hit song outside the show which in the end is our ultimate goal. We would have to cross our fingers for that. For now, all I can say is watch out for Episode 7.”
