Zhang Li Yin Vol. 1 – I will
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Nicknamed the Chinese BoA, Zhang Li Yin was discovered by SM Entertainment in 2003 at the budding age of 13, around the same time fellow Chinese-born artist Han Geng was chosen to join Super Junior. Making her official debut in her native land of China, Zhang (who also goes by the Korean name of Jang Ri In) releases I Will, featuring 12 songs in her mother tongue (Tracks 1 through 12) and two songs in Korean (Track 13 and 14). The first Chinese female artist to break into the Korean music industry, Zhang, whose parents are both violinists, showed signs of musical craftsmanship at an early age. Exuding her powerful and soulful vocal range, Zhang provides a cover of S.E.S's 2000 hit Sung Won ("e;Encouragement"e; – Track 13). K-drama fans may find Yeon In Ee Yeo ("e;Lovers"e; – Track 14) familiar as it served as the main love theme for the popular SBS drama Lovers. Chinese composer Ting Toutou deftly combines Zhang's sumptuous R&B-style vocals and airy acoustic arrangement to convey the drama's soft atmosphere. Written by hit-making composer Yoo Young Jin, One More Try (Track 10) is a tribute to Beijing's 2008 Olympics. Other highlights include two tracks from Zhang's 2006 single Timeless: Y (Why…) (Track 11) and Timeless (Track 12), a warm R&B ballad featuring Xiah Jun Su of Dong Bang Shin Ki. Moreover, Han Geng of Super Junior offers a sweet narration for the intro of First Love (Track 2).
Published by Yes Asia USA
