80-year-old Ling Feng 'reborn in Singapore' after stroke — Backstage meeting with old friend after 45 years

After suffering a second stroke last year, 80-year-old veteran Taiwanese artist Ling Feng has been actively undergoing rehabilitation and is gradually making a comeback. On the evening of June 20 (Friday), he even appeared on stage in Singapore, reuniting with fellow Taiwanese artist and now Singapore's 'Insurance Queen' Chen Mingli after 45 years.
Chen Mingli, who became well known in Singapore for hosting variety shows and is now based there, told Lianhe Zaobao that in the past, when Ling Feng performed in Singapore, she would only watch from the audience because there were too many people and didn't get the chance to visit him backstage. This time, after Ling Feng recovered from his stroke, she specially went backstage to greet him after the performance. It was the first face-to-face meeting in 45 years, which filled her with emotion.
She said, when Ling Feng saw her, he said, "I’ve been watching your performances since I was young, I like you a lot." She quipped back, "Big Brother Ling Feng, don't be cheeky with me." Chen Mingli told reporters that after their chat, she found Ling Feng as humorous as ever, still so "sharp-tongued,"— "But ‘sharp-tongued’ is only towards himself! We all know he always jokes at his own expense to lift up others."
This time Ling Feng was joined by veteran Golden Bell Award-winning Taiwanese artist Chen Kailun, invited to a gala dinner on Sentosa by a local company celebrating its 18th anniversary, while Chen Mingli was invited to be the prize draw guest.
Chen Kailun also recently recovered from a major illness. He is a three-time Broadcasting Golden Bell Award winner, and in 2022 was diagnosed with tonsil cancer. After surgery and recovery, he continued to host many major ceremonies and events. He told Apply News: "I stood on stage with Brother Ling Feng, walking together into another chapter of life." He also said that the two men sang out their rebirth on stage.

On the way to rehearsal in Sentosa, Ling Feng joked to Chen Kailun: "Don't mention my stroke in front of beautiful women, be discreet. You can talk more about it in front of men and elderly people, to give them confidence." Ling Feng's witty remark was laced with emotion, and Chen Kailun praised him: "Ling Feng is so wise and humorous, and so strong in his self-mockery! He suffered two strokes, was hospitalized for three months after returning to Taiwan from Japan, had to use a wheelchair afterward, and would get dizzy even after walking a hundred meters. Yet, with medical care, faith, and a heart that loves the stage, he managed to recover and stand up again! The doctor said nerve cells in the brain can't regenerate, but he miraculously lived out the 'impossible.'"

After watching Chen Kailun's rehearsal, Ling Feng said: "Kailun, you can't even tell you've been ill. Today, you look even better than tomorrow." Chen Kailun replied with a bittersweet smile: "We both know what it feels like as a survivor to stand once again on stage." Ling Feng then joked: "This stage is so huge, a nobody like me will be afraid, better hand me a towel or I’ll start to cry."

Before the performance, accompanied by Chen Kailun, Ling Feng walked towards the stage and sang his signature song 'Boat Song,' which was met with thunderous applause. After the performance, Chen Kailun again took Ling Feng's hand, and just like two men who walked out from illness into the light, they slowly walked off the stage together. Chen Kailun said: "It's not because the stage was big, the audience large, or the schedule packed, but because it's two men who once fell, together standing up again for ten minutes. It wasn't by miracle, but through faith, discipline, and the call of love. This wasn't just a performance, but a silent invitation—inviting everyone who is struggling in their low point to believe that they, too, can come through."

Chen Mingli was also a gracious host, taking Ling Feng and Chen Kailun to enjoy local food after the show. She said that among the three, she's not the oldest, but is the one who began her career and rose to fame earliest, followed by Chen Kailun and then Ling Feng.