Chou Huei is no classic Chinese beauty, but she is blessed with a beautiful voice that makes her a standout in the pop scene.

When she signed a contract with Taiwan's record company Linfair Records at 19, she impressed the artistic director, veteran musician Lee Ya-ming, with her clear, high-pitched voice.

Her 1999 debut album, Chou Huei's Collection, sold more than 1 million copies in a month, even with a cartoon portrait of Chou on the cover. The music videos also feature cartoon figures instead of Chou herself.

Her second and third albums also sold well, which made her one of the most promising newcomers in the music scene then.

With her career skyrocketing, she suffered from her record company's collapse. Then she traveled to the US to study music and experience life there.

"I always believed that I could become a singer because of my voice, and then I could be a singer forever," she says.

After a four-year gap, the 35-year-old Chou has returned to the scene with a new album and a tour, which marks her career's "new beginning".

Besides her popular hits, Chou will also sing songs of her idol, rock band Beyond, at her concert.

Her new songs will also be performed for the first time for fans.

Her 1999 hit single Appointment is still Chou's favorite. She says the song makes her cry every time she sings it.

"When I first sang the song, I was 20 and couldn't feel the emotion of the lyrics. But now I feel different when singing the song," she says. "I never get tired of singing the song. It's always fresh and touching."

The year of 2013 will be a fresh start for the singer. She found her Mr Right and restarted her singing career.

"People often joked about my big mouth because I always laughed in front of the camera. I guess I will show my big mouth again when my fans see me onstage," she says.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 02/17/2013 page15)