Singer Chen Ming: Not the same old song (2)

"I had many performance opportunities but didn't take them," the 45-year-old says.

Her motivation for the August gig came from her participation this year on the popular Hunan Satellite TV Station show I Am a Singer.

The program, based on a South Korean counterpart, pits seven seasoned vocalists against one another. It was Chen's first public appearance since she withdrew from the limelight to live quietly as a mother and wife.

"The show focuses on music and vocals," she says.

"Today's pop industry ignores music and hasn't heard my voice in a long time. Appearing on the show rekindled my passion."

In 1993, Chen gave up her stable factory job and left her hometown of Luoyang city, Henan province, to chase her musical dream in Guangdong province's Shenzhen, which was the mainland's major pop hub.

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