Zhang Bichen Fulfills Dream with Hong Kong Concert, Cantonese Skills Criticized

Renowned as the “OST Queen,” Chinese powerhouse songstress Zhang Bichen finally fulfilled her dream of holding her first solo concert in Hong Kong. Returning to the Hong Kong stage after 10 years, she merged her delicate vocals with the grandeur of a hundred-piece symphony orchestra in the “Epic of Love” 2025 Symphonic Limited Concert Hong Kong stop, presenting a musical feast where pop meets classical.
Zhang Bichen’s “Epic of Love” 2025 Symphonic Limited Concert Hong Kong stop was held Saturday night at the AsiaWorld-Expo, drawing more than 11,200 fans. Zhang Bichen shared with emotion: “The first time I came to Hong Kong was 10 years ago, performing with the mentors and fellow contestants of ‘The Voice of China.’ Back then, I hoped that someday I could perform here as a solo artist. I’m truly happy that my dream has finally come true.”

Although performing in Hong Kong, she greeted the audience in Cantonese with just a simple “Hello everyone, I’m Xiao Bi.” She laughed and said, “I’ve loved listening to Beyond’s songs since I was little, but Cantonese has always been my weak point. Every time I want to show off by singing in Cantonese, my friends always stop me.” Zhang Bichen smiled as she recalled her friends’ teasing.
In her 11-year career, Zhang Bichen has experienced highs and lows in both her work and personal life, but she has always persevered with her passion for music. “Becoming a singer was my own choice, and I’m willing to keep working hard,” she shared emotionally, grateful for her family, friends, and fans who have stood by her, and vowing never to forget her original intentions.
One of the concert’s biggest highlights was her collaboration with the International Chief Philharmonic Orchestra, performing new versions of her songs with a hundred-piece orchestral arrangement. Whether it was “My Way,” “Word by Word,” “I’ve Changed, I Haven’t Changed,” “Next Second,” or “Annual Rings,” each song touched the hearts of the whole audience. Zhang Bichen revealed, “I don’t have formal musical training. This time, I challenged myself with symphonic singing, hoping to use music as an international language to tell Chinese stories, and to let pop and symphony spark something new.”

She specifically mentioned her own creation, “Rebirth”: “The melody for this song was written a long time ago, but I struggled with the lyrics, setting it aside for three or four months. I read many books and essays, hoping to write lyrics worth savoring repeatedly. Now, listening to it again, I think it’s reached that level.”

The entire performance featured pop-orchestral arrangements in the style of Hollywood and Disney, perfectly blending a modern feel with classical rhythms. Her fashion choices stood apart from typical pop concerts, pursuing higher artistic quality in visuals and styling. Zhang Bichen appeared in a series of elegant, noble gowns, echoing the concert’s aesthetic.

The Hong Kong stop is the second after Hangzhou in China for the “Epic of Love” tour. The Malaysia stop will take place on September 12 at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. Although Zhang Bichen has visited Malaysia many times for variety show filming, this will mark her first solo concert in the country. Tickets sold out quickly as soon as they went on sale, with fans clamoring for an extra show. Whether an additional concert will be scheduled remains eagerly anticipated.