A Conversation With: Superstar Jay Chou
In addition to a bestselling album and blockbuster films, the musician, filmmaker and collector shares his love of art with global audiences.
A conversation between the world star
JAY CHOU and DR. CALVIN CHOI
Photography PAUL ZHANG
Jay Chou, often referred to as the "King of Mandopop" (Mandopop is an abbreviation for Chinese pop music, ed.), is a Taiwanese artist, known throughout the world for his skills as a singer-songwriter, pianist, music and film producer, as well as an actor, director and art collector. His latest album of 2022, "Greatest Works of Art", was an international bestseller and the video of the title track gained more than 140 million views on Weibo in a single day while the album has accumulated over a billion views on different platforms. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Chou recorded the highest number of album sales globally last year, becoming the first Mandopop artist ever to accomplish this feat. The IFPI 2022 Global Album Sales Chart is based on combined physical and digital album sales: Chou is followed by Korean boy band BTS in second place and Taylor Swift in third.
The unique blend of pop, R&B, hip-hop and traditional Chinese elements, known as "J-Style", has put Chou on the map within the entertainment industry, earning him over 200 awards and recognitions, including Best Male Singer and Best Album at the Golden Melody Awards and Best Selling Artist at the World Music Awards. In addition to his musical successes, Chou has had a notable impact on the film industry. He starred in the 2011 superhero film "The Green Hornet" alongside Seth Rogen and Christoph Waltz, which was a commercial success, grossing over $228 million worldwide. "Secret", however, was the directorial debut of Chou - also co-writer and male protagonist, as well as author of the film's original music -, receiving critical acclaim. It tells a poignant love story, which is a time travel, and was awarded Outstanding Taiwanese Film of the Year at the Golden Horse Awards.
Chou has been involved in several notable film projects. Among these, the work with Zhang Yimou (the appreciated director of "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers" (2004) stands out, for which he played the role of one of the protagonists of the cast of "Curse of the Golden Flower" ("Forbidden City"), together with Gong Li and Chow Yun-fat, the protagonist in "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"). Chou then joined the his cinematic and musical talents in the production of the 2013 musical film "The Rooftop". Chou is an art collector. ARTnews recognised him as one of the 50 art collectors to watch in 2019 and his private collection includes works by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Gerhard Richter and Pablo Picasso. His recent curatorial projects include the exhibition "Art Colure with Artistes", presented in collaboration with ENVISEAM, L'OFFICIEL Art and Sotheby's Hong's Contemporary Curated auction series Kong Asia, which reached $109 million. This was followed by further collaboration with Christie's, in partnership with ENVISEAM, to present a selection of works created by emerging avant-garde artists for an auction in autumn 2023.
Dr. Calvin Choi, Global President of L'OFFICIEL, and Jay Chou met for the first time in Singapore, on the occasion of "Art Colure with artists" and immediately connected thanks to their common affinity for the arts, the entertainment world and French culture and heritage. Choi and Chou then met in Taipei last July during Chou's cover shoot for L'OFFICIEL. The two talked about the artistic process, how to reach a global audience and how to keep them constantly intrigued.
CALVIN CHOI: Hi Jay, it's nice to meet you and spend some time together. First of all, congratulations on reaching #1 on the IFPI's prestigious Global Album Sales Chart, beating out artists like Taylor Swift, BTS and Blackpink. You have clearly established yourself as an Asian pioneer capable of achieving enormous achievement in the global music industry. In addition to your unprecedented success, you have become an icon of Chinese pop music and an international cultural leader. We are honored to have you on the global cover of L'OFFICIEL. What does it mean to you to be a prominent pop culture personality, and how does your influence extend beyond the boundaries of Chinese-speaking audiences and impact the lives of people of different cultures and backgrounds?
JAY CHOU: Calvin, it's great to see you again. Thanks for the interview, I'm happy to share something about myself with all the readers of L'OFFICIEL. My songs have always been my creations, both for the melodies and for the production; 2022's "Greatest Works of Art" is no exception. As many know, in recent years I have developed a passion for art collecting. As a result, I have conveyed my life and reflections on art in my songs, sharing my thoughts on the subject over the years. It might seem like I'm giving art history lessons, but in reality I'm expressing themes and concepts related to the arts through music and music videos, entertaining the public and making them appreciate deep cultural content. So, in addition to Chinese cultural elements, my album also incorporates elements that relate to art. The music videos were filmed in various locations around the world, introducing an international perspective to the album. I believe that music and dance are universal languages; In the song "Cold Hearted" , which has a Chinese style, I collaborated with a Western dance group, fusing the artistic styles of East and West. I read articles and watch videos and pay close attention to the reactions of friends around the world to my music. Even after all these years, as a student, I am still learning and absorbing new things. Not only in the musical field, also in terms of art. When I have a deep interest in something, I immerse myself completely in it: and I learn. Given the large number of artists and the constant emergence of new works, I continue to dedicate a lot of time to viewing and learning about art. In addition to incorporating artistic elements into my music, I often share images of various works with my fans on social media. Their responses and interactions make me understand a lot: both music and art act as bridges, uniting people's hearts and minds.
CC: In 2022 you collaborated with ENVISEAM and L'OFFICIEL for the art exhibition "Art Colure with Artistes". How do you combine elements of art and music in your work?
JC: I try to blend artistic elements within my music, hoping that it will arouse in listeners a greater interest in art, which manifests itself in numerous forms, each of which is able to touch our soul in a unique way. I aim to use pop music as a conduit to bridge the gap between the public and art, demonstrating that art is not distant and inaccessible, but rather is an ever-present part of our daily lives. Having participated in numerous online discussions deconstructing the lyrics and music videos of the "greatest works of art" , I am convinced that music has expanded beyond its intrinsic meaning and value. Art is subjective and should not conform to the influence of others. I have immense confidence in my aesthetic sensibility, much like that of music, which resides in a universe of its own. This mirrors the role of a director discerning which elements best fit a scene, which visuals should accompany a song which piece of music pairs well with a specific sequence. I may not excel at telling stories through the camera lens, but I often joke that when it comes to appreciating beauty, I'm a fantastic photographer. Curating art shows allows me to share my tastes and preferences, such as my love of bright colours and paintings that exude positive energy. I have long been fascinated by art, as evidenced by my 2016 song "Bedtime Stories," in which I began incorporating descriptions of Salvador Dalí's works into my lyrics. The fusion of art and entertainment opens up different avenues for artistic expression. The “Art Colure With Artistes” exhibition, undertaken in collaboration with ENVISEAM and L’OFFICIEL to unite the realms of art and entertainment, was an exhilarating and innovative experience. Their approval has undoubtedly enriched the experience of all stakeholders.
CC: Considering your various achievements in the fields of music, film and art, which one has held a special place in your heart since childhood and which one have you become interested in recently?
JC: I would say the films. The films I have made embrace themes such as kung fu, basketball, piano, music and magic, all areas that have fascinated me since childhood . This allowed me to represent them naturally on screen. I believe that if you asked someone unfamiliar with music to play a musician or artist, the portrayal might lack authenticity. Choosing a film script is a process that I take very seriously, and I have been lucky enough to come across subjects that I love, touching on topics that have fascinated me since my early years. After releasing several albums, I ventured into directing music videos for my songs. My journey started with music videos, and as I gained experience, I started directing films. "Secret", my first film as a director and actor, has received considerable acclaim, for which I am deeply grateful. Fans may notice that I have incorporated artistic elements into some of my music videos, such as "Bedtime Stories", "If You Don't Love Me, It's Fine" and " Greatest Works of Art". is to use pop music as a means to bridge the gap between art and the public. Art is not unattainable, but it is often present in the environment around us. My mother, an art teacher, profoundly influenced the my passion. It was she who sparked my interest when I was very young.
CC: With your music you have continually embarked on new experiments, such as exploring different musical styles and performance formats, and mastering multiple instruments. How has this journey been so far, do you have any exciting new adventures in store for the future?
JC: When I was four years old, my mother enrolled me in classical piano lessons, profoundly influencing my life. Since I started writing songs, I've enjoyed experimenting with innovation, exploring different musical genres and even blending different styles together. Each of my albums represents the thoughts and feelings of a particular moment, some are personal, others come from the friends around me. You could say that each album is a recording of a different phase of my life. From my first album in 2000 to today, I have never made music with the intention of simply satisfying the public's tastes. I have been asked in the past if there is anything I would like to share with young musicians, many of whom consider my music to be a significant influence in their work. I believe that the journey of music is solitary in the recording studio, eventful in concerts, competitive in music awards, and inevitably becomes a topic of discussion in free time: it's all part of the journey, and brings with it both difficulty and joy ! Looking to the future, I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with other musicians from around the world, bringing new inspirations and creations to life.
CC: In many of your works, including the captivating song "Love Confession'", you have expertly intertwined the beauty of France's landscapes and the essence of its culture. I also share the same passion for French heritage and culture. What kind of impressions do you have of France and what aspects of the country and its rich culture have left the deepest and most lasting impact on you?
JC: In addition to the "Love Confession" music video, the "Greatest Works of Art" music video was also shot in Paris and the album cover was made in Mont Saint-Michel. The country is full of historic and culturally rich architecture, making every shot fantastic. I also like cycling through the streets and alleys, to see the heart of Paris up close. The romantic air of France is an important source of inspiration for me. The music video for “Love Confession,” shot amidst the beautiful landscapes and icons of France, has garnered billions of views. This demonstrates its universal appeal and resonance with a global audience. France is also home to some of my favorite artists. My collection includes works by Henri Matisse, mentioned in the text of "Greatest Works of Art". Beyond the realm of art, I am honored to have worked with the famous French soccer team Paris Saint-Germain, alongside soccer legends Lionel Messi and Neymar, in a Metaverse art project. This collaboration combined my passion for music with their athletic prowess, bridging the gap between the worlds of entertainment and sports. If I think about it, my connection with France was truly substantial.
CC: We all admire your film, "Secret." The enormous success of the film and your songs, which are very popular, have won over the public, especially among the younger generations. Can you tell us when we can expect another movie?
JC: If I have the time and opportunity, I would like to direct and star in a Hollywood film about art, like my music video "Greatest Works of Art". The idea of traveling through time while playing the piano is intriguing and has become one of my trademarks, as can be seen in the film "Secret". I have many creative ideas and scripts, some of which can be traced back to my previous music videos. I have created numerous music videos that deal with the themes of past and present lives, time travel and more. My creative well, so to speak, never runs dry!
CC: In the context of collecting, what artistic style do you find most appealing?
JC: My art collection is as varied in style as my music, and evolves with the different phases of my life. I am particularly drawn to works of art that have been passed down within artists' families; pieces that have not yet been exhibited or auctioned: these hidden gems are truly rare finds. If you look at my Instagram account, you will see that I am very keen on sharing my art collection with everyone. I want my fans to gain a deeper understanding of art. However, sometimes, I also want to maintain a certain level of privacy. So, not all objects displayed in the art exhibitions I curate come from my personal collection. Some pieces may be shared by other collectors. Sharing and exchanging ideas are fundamental. As time passes, I am more and more interested in collecting works by masters that have stood the test of time. As for newcomers to the arts scene, we will certainly continue to support them. Will they become masters in the future?
CC: Over the course of your professional career, what challenges have you encountered and how did you overcome them? What guiding beliefs have you remained true to?
JC: One of the challenges of conducting several concerts in a row is keeping them interesting. Sometimes I want to perform with different musical instruments, so it happens that the day before the concert I go to a music store to explore other instruments, with the aim of offering my fans something new and different at each of my shows. Or I can edit my songs. Why can't I always sing the same songs? Well, I want to create a sense of unpredictability. So, the exhausting part is thinking about how I make each of the numerous shows in the same city different from the other. You may need to have several guest artists. However, this was an issue that concerned me in the past. Now, I usually limit myself to a maximum of seven concerts per location, possibly with a regular guest. I don't have to think too much about the rest. Sometimes I can change the songs I perform, take breaks and spend more time with my family.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Dr. Calvin Choi, Chairman, L'OFFICIEL; Jazz Li, Founder & CEO, ENVISEAM
FEATURED PARTNERS JVR Music and Enviseam
COORDINATION, ENVISEAM Roena Zhou and Gabriella Salim
COORDINATION, JVR MUSIC Cecily Chen
COORDINATION, THE OFFICIEL Giampietro Baudo, Ken Lo, Caroline Grosso, Denise Lau
HAIR Emily Lin
GROOMING Kuo-Chang Tu
PRODUCTION Jeff Sun
GAFFER Lee Chi Hsiang
