The Unbelievable duet between JJ Lin and Chen Tianwen
Homegrown talent JJ Lin had an “unbelievable” surprise in store for his 8,000 fans at his Timeline: Genesis World Tour concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Saturday (Sept 5).
The 34-year-old local Mandopop star got everyone “stunned like vegetable” when he invited local actor Chen Tianwen on stage to perform the latter’s viral hit song Unbelievable together mid-way through his three-hour gig.
Upon Chen’s appearance, which saw him holding a broccoli and togged out in the retro wig and outfit from the equally popular music video, the crowd broke into a frenzied applause, cheering for the duo while whipping out their cameras and phones to take videos of the one-of-a-kind performance.
Chen’s Unbelievable MV was released in April to promote Channel 5 comedy series Spouse For House 2 which he starred in, and has chalked up more than 3.2 million hits online.
WATCH: JJ Lin and Chen Tianwen duet on Unbelievable
Lin said on stage: “This song is famous worldwide, even making it to news in America. His song is so popular now, I am looking forward to his next song.”
Chen, 52, told The New Paper afterwards that he received Lin’s invitation two months ago.
He added: “It’s fantastic, it’s the first time I get to perform on such a big stage to so many people.
"Plus, JJ is an international singer with so many fans.”
Indeed, many of Lin’s fans found the Unbelievable duet to be the most unforgettable.
After all, his previous guest stars in other cities included A-list pop stars such as Selina Jen from popular Taiwanese girl group S.H.E and Japanese singer Ayumi Hamasaki.
Mr Yang Quan Xiang, who works in the oil and gas industry, told TNP: “I found Chen Tianwen’s appearance most unexpected, as no one will associate him with JJ Lin. I felt very high when he came on stage, as I could relate to the song and sing along to it.”
The 32-year-old added: “It is a nice addition to the entire concert, which is already very, very good.”
We break down the rest of the show’s top highlights...
FAMILY REUNION
Lin kept the surprises coming, performing a touching duet of his Mandarin song Japanese Rose In My Palm with his mother.
He followed that up by extending an impromptu invitation to his father and elder brother Eugene Lim,who also went on stage to sing veteran Taiwanese singer Jonathan Lee’s Hills and Lin’s Fly Back In Time with him respectively. Watch the video here.
WATCH: JJ Lin sings with mum
The apple evidently didn’t fall far from the tree, as the trio boasted soothing vocals.
JJ Lin (far right) performing with his elder brother (far left) and his father (middle) on stage. PHOTOS: UNUSUAL ENTERTAINMENTThe heartwarming performance drew deafening cheers from his fans, who lapped it all up.
Miss Tan Meishan, a 29-year-old accountant, said: “I found it very touching. It’s very rare for singers to invite their family on stage together, and it’s quite amazing that his whole family can sing so well. Good genes indeed.”
MARRIAGE ON HIS MIND
The eligible bachelor, who was formerly romantically linked to Taiwanese actress Jean Kao and Taiwanese model Lillian Chent, talked about settling down several times on stage.
He said: “When I see my friends getting married and having children, I wonder when it’ll be my turn.”
He added that his parents have been asking him to work less and focus more on starting a family, before teasing his fans: “Will I find a wife in Singapore?”
His constant mentions of finding a spouse led his female fans to scream in unison: “We can be your wives!”
At some point, one shouted audibly: “I want to have your baby!”
That bold declaration made a shy Lin blush as he covered his face and smiled coyly.
SG50
He kicked off the Timeline: Genesis World Tour - in support of his 2014 album Genesis - in Taipei on Valentine’s Day and may have held 37 gigs in different cities prior to his Singapore leg, but it’s obvious our Taiwan-based homeboy is ready to put his roots down.
He was so happy to return home, as he spouted Singlish on stage and also said: “I am always more biased to my Singaporean fans, you can’t blame me. It feels good to be back home, especially with my family and my friends watching me from the audience.”
WATCH: JJ Lin sings Our Singapore
With that, he broke into this year’s National Day Parade song Our Singapore, with his local fans singing along.
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