Summary：

It details the life and career of Hong Kong singer and actress Chow Mei-yun, focusing on her recent decision to retire from large-scale performances after a long and successful career. It highlights her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a beloved icon, affectionately known as the "Jade Girl," and explores her evolution from prioritizing career success to valuing family and personal well-being. The article includes excerpts from interviews where Chow discusses her motivations for participating in the reality show Sound Lives and her reflections on her career and life choices. It also emphasizes her enduring popularity across generations.

Main Themes:

• Musical Legacy and Evolution: Zhou reflects on her musical journey, from her debut in the late 80s amidst a wave of Cantonese covers of foreign songs to the rise of original Cantopop compositions in the 90s. She acknowledges the enduring popularity of her classic hit, "Zuo Zuo Duo Qing" (自作多情), for which she performed a newly choreographed version on the show.


• Prioritizing Family and Wellbeing: Zhou emphasizes her shift in priorities, placing family and personal well-being above career ambitions. This is evident in her decision to retire from large-scale concert tours to spend more time with her husband, cats, and focus on her health.


• Embracing Graceful Aging: Zhou dismisses the pressure of maintaining her "Jade Girl" and "ageless goddess" image, accepting the natural process of aging. She finds contentment in simple pleasures and cherishes the love surrounding her.

Key Insights and Facts:

• Zhou's participation in "Infinity and Beyond" was a serendipitous opportunity that coincided with her decision to step back from large-scale concerts.


• She reminisces about the vibrant Hong Kong music scene during her formative years, highlighting the influence of singers like Priscilla Chan (陈慧娴).


• Zhou reveals that acting was not her initial aspiration, but she embraced the opportunity after her debut in the movie "Three Worlds" (三人世界).


• Her role as "Siu Yue Tai" (小犹太) in the TV series "The Greed of Man" (大时代) remains iconic, connecting her with younger generations.


• Zhou attributes her decision to retire from the entertainment industry in 1997 to the overwhelming pressure of fame and the desire for self-discovery.


• Her return in 2006 marked a shift in priorities, focusing on philanthropy and expressing her love through her work.


• Zhou values open communication in her marriage, emphasizing the importance of addressing issues and finding common ground.


• She dedicates a significant amount of time to caring for her aging cats, prioritizing their well-being over external commitments.


• Zhou finds joy in simple routines, spending time at home, watching movies, and engaging in meaningful conversations with her husband.

Notable Quotes:

• On participating in the show: "I often say, if you always wait until you are completely ready to do something, you may never do it."


• Her evolving career priorities: "When I came back [to the entertainment industry], my mentality was very different. I wanted people to feel my love."


• Her current life philosophy: "My family is most important to me now."


• On aging gracefully: "I don't believe in 'ageless goddesses.' Everyone ages; it's a natural law. I think it's quite good to mature gracefully."


• On finding contentment: "Eat the things that make you happy, watch movies that make you happy, see the people you love, and have a lot of love surrounding you. That's all I need to be happy."

Glossary of Key Terms

玉女: Literally "jade girl," this term refers to a pure, innocent, and virtuous young woman. In the context of Hong Kong entertainment, it became a popular archetype for female stars like Zhou Huimin, who embodied these qualities.

声生不息·大湾区季: Translated as Infinity and Beyond, this is the title of the music variety show in which Zhou Huimin participated.

新秀歌唱大赛: TVB New Talent Singing Competition, a prominent talent show in Hong Kong that launched the careers of many famous singers.

悭妹: A Cantonese term meaning "thrifty girl" or a girl who is good at managing money. It's the nickname of Zhou Huimin's character in the TV drama 大时代 (The Greed of Man).

红馆 (Hóng Guǎn): Hong Kong Coliseum, a major concert venue in Hong Kong.

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