It is a good thing to have a clear understanding of introverted personality early on. Since “Produce 101,” Ian Chen has already established a steady and silent image. Regarding this reserved personality, some seniors have mentioned that his character as a person is acceptable, but as an artist, it is absolutely not acceptable.
Probably Ian’s left brain is indeed more developed, good at analyzing the motives and purposes of critics one by one, firmly believing in his own opinions one second, and then reflecting on his lack of objectivity the next second, rational with a bit of distance. Recently, the most talked-about moment must be when the usually introverted Tony Leung shed those sincere tears at the Venice Film Festival. As for Ian’s tears, hopefully we don’t have to wait until 2046.
The Beauty of Side Track
Some studies have shown that under the influence of streaming platforms, the audience’s attention span has become shorter. 25% of users will skip to the next song within 5 seconds of it starting, and only about 50% will actually listen to the entire song. As a result, the entire music ecosystem has undergone changes. Whether it’s due to resource allocation or meeting the demands of the audience, it has created a so-called “singles era,” where only hit songs and mainstream tracks prevail. “The more choices there are, the smaller the demand becomes, making it difficult to release music that caters to niche audiences.” Here, niche music refers not to underground independent music, but simply side tracks within an album, which are now being oppressed by mainstream music.
“The beauty of an album lies in the presence of side tracks. I still maintain my love for side tracks and believe that they can make the album more interesting. Personally, I hope to try at least one new genre every year, songs that are very much like side tracks, and gather a collection of songs that I love, creating a cohesive album that tells a story.”
“C.O.C.” Theory
Ian has said that he doesn’t like being in a passive state. Recently, he seems to have more control over his career, from composing and writing lyrics to producing. When faced with criticism that he can’t control, he may initially get upset to the point of insomnia. However, Ian chooses to stay up all night and organize a set of philosophical responses. “When faced with difficulties, others may focus on dealing with negative emotions, but I try to find solutions and won’t give up until I trace the root of the problem. Gradually, I have developed a method to fend off emotions, which is to understand how to differentiate between ‘Consultation,’ ‘Opinion,’ and ‘Comment’.”
“Consultation” is the experienced advice given by seniors, which I will fully accept; “Opinion” is the experiential talk provided by friends from an objective perspective; “Comment” is the subjective opinion from the outside world, with no ill intentions, but it may contain emotional criticism, so be careful to filter it. With such insightful and systematic insights, where did you learn this philosophy of life? Ian laughed and said, “I didn’t learn it from books, I came up with it after countless nights of contemplation. Analyzing and researching would always lead to insomnia.” It was a debate with oneself, like a wrestling match between the brain and the heart. Although both teams were tightly matched in terms of points, Ian felt that using theory to calm restless emotions was the most effective approach.
Make the effort meaningful.
For the former young Ian, he never felt nervous when playing a game on the field. He didn’t pay attention to the scoreboard and was unaware of the end time. Because for him, it was either win or lose in a game, and there was no need to be attached to it. After all, even if he lost, there would be another game to fight for. But when it came to performances, his thoughts were not so carefree.
“Every performance, I can’t conquer the tense and anxious mindset. I know that the less relaxed I am, the worse the performance looks. However, after the performance, I always magnify the flaws and don’t let myself off the hook. Playing sports and performing can’t be generalized. Sports require working hours, repeated practice with the devotion of worshiping a god, and naturally, your muscles will lead you closer to success: being rejected, feeling dissatisfied, practicing again, improving your skills… Ian explains that sports are that simple. However, even if you put in 100% effort, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee success. That’s the entertainment industry.”
“As one grows older, the helplessness and understanding of life and reality naturally deepen. Especially in a job that is audience-oriented, it is only natural for the audience to define themselves through the works. Even if one doesn’t like this passive state, they have to compromise. Putting aside the various frustrations in love and missed opportunities, isn’t every ordinary person exhausted and rushing between reality and ideals every day? Ian wrote the song “Still Here” as a profound understanding of this sense of powerlessness. From the title to the concept, it is simple and direct without any embellishment. Ian says that a good song needs to strike a balance with popularity and should not be biased towards personal subjective taste. “If no one wants to listen, if no one wants to spend money to watch, no matter how strong the message behind it is, it’s meaningless!”
There is indeed a reason to believe that Ian wants to present a certain part of himself, to have full control over his own narrative. “For example, I enjoy collecting art toys and artworks, but I rarely flaunt them on social media. This is about personal interests, and collecting is not the same as sharing. After all, art is a personal matter for me. When I go to galleries to see paintings, the stories that my mind receives through the immediate feelings towards the artwork can help me understand myself better. Once, when I saw Zhao Wuji’s work, I experienced for the first time what it means to be ‘captivated’. I found myself in a state of emptiness, yet my heart started beating faster without me even realizing it.”
Tasted the bitterness of giving up.
The serious and persistent insistence often offends people, but Ian’s insistence often only offends himself. “The downside of persistence is that it makes me suffer more. When I suffer to a certain level, I can experience unexpected gains and even broaden my perspective on things. When I was young and stubborn, I gave up learning classical piano just because I lost the piano tuition my mother gave me. I regretted giving up so easily. Once you give up, you will never know how high you can climb or how far you can go.”
For the average person, giving up is not easy, but how many people understand those who are accustomed to persistence? To give up is to admit that one lacks talent or luck in a certain aspect, it is a reflex action of bowing to fate. “Unless I can foresee the end of my abilities, and at the same time there is another fork in the road for me to choose, then I will consider giving up. If I hadn’t participated in ‘Produce 101’ and had the opportunity to become a singer, I don’t think I would easily give up my career as an athlete. It should be said that ‘I am not giving up, I am just transferring the concept of persistence to another field.'” Ian admits that he rarely sets long-term goals, and only wants to focus on the present stage, because only by being focused on the present, naturally, will he slowly reach his destination.
Photography: Matt Hui
Art Direction: Mimi Kong & Matt Hui
Styling: Mimi Kong assisted by Blaire Lo
Videography: Kason Tam & Alvin Kong
Video Edit: Kason Tam & Alvin Kong
Interview: Avis Lee
Makeup: Rainbow Chung @Annie G. Chan Makeup Centre
Hair: Him Ng @The Attic
Wardrobe: Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Givenchy, Balenciaga, WilsonKaki
