After undergoing angioplasty treatment, renowned Malaysian singer Ho Yun Nee decided to fulfill a long-held musical dream by self-funding her new album, CHAPTER 3: Qiān Yán Wàn Yǔ, with a six-figure investment. She gives the late Mandopop queen Teresa Teng's classic songs a unique "Nanyang jazz" reinterpretation. The heart procedure made her realize that some things in life can't wait, candidly stating: “At this age, as long as it doesn’t cost me my life, I just have to do it!”
Last May, Ho Yun Nee was hospitalized due to chest tightness and dizziness, where tests revealed blockages in three main coronary arteries. She ultimately underwent angioplasty treatment. Now in stable health, she shared that her July 30th check-up went well and the doctor said, “Everything is OK.” She was also reminded to keep exercising, maintain good habits, and especially not to stay up late. She laughed that she wants to follow Jolin Tsai’s example and go to bed by 10 or 10:30 every night.
Looking back, Ho Yun Nee had already begun recording her album before the surgery but often felt chest discomfort that made singing “not smooth” and hindered her immersion in music. “I felt like my singing was just stuck, the whole recording process couldn’t flow, and lots of things just got jammed up.” After her surgery and about two months of recuperation in Johor Bahru, she returned to the studio and decided to re-record, starting with “Qiān Yán Wàn Yǔ.” It only took about three takes for the producer to say it was good. Listening to the finished product, she couldn’t help but exclaim: “Wow! I didn’t know I could sing like this!” She believes that after the surgery, her voice became freer and her singing more fluid.
During the CHAPTER 3: Qiān Yán Wàn Yǔ media pre-listen session on the 20th, Ho Yun Nee performed “Qiān Yán Wàn Yǔ,” “Lù Biān De Yě Huā Bù Yào Cǎi,” “Nán Hǎi Gū Niang,” and “Yǔ Yè Huā” live, and shared stories behind the album. With a six-figure investment in the album, Ho Yun Nee estimates she’ll need to sell at least 4,000 copies to break even, but she now cares more about “doing what I want.” “At my age, if there are things you want to do, and you’re not risking your life, then just do it!” For her, this long-anticipated album is more than just a music project—it’s a record of her musical partners, backstage crew, and the stories behind each track: “More than anything, it’s a memory of this phase.”
This experience has also changed Ho Yun Nee’s outlook on life. She used to fill her work schedule to the brim, not even realizing she was always under tension until she recovered and discovered how pleasant real rest could be. “The feeling of having white space is really nice.” Now she tries not to pack her workdays too tightly and hopes to spend more time with her parents.