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Now Hear This: Boon Hui Lu

The Singaporean Mandopop darling opens her musical trove

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Published: 21 Jan 2025


Time taken : <5mins

A multi-talented singer-songwriter who first gained fame as a child actor and later became known for her viral covers of Mandopop hits, Boon Hui Lu has established herself as a beloved songsmith in Singapore and Taiwan's Mandarin music scene over the past decade.

Swiftly amassing two full-length albums, two cover EPs, and a slew of OST singles, the Freshmusic Awards nominee has always been one to experiment with sound—blending her earnest lyrics with modern sensibilities, while also infusing her unique brand of Mandopop with elements of indie folk, rock ballads and rap.

We catch up with the local Mandopop starlet in an email interview, where she shares her favourite tunes from her discography and personal playlist.


You got an early start in your career with Singapore broadcaster Mediacorp, even winning the Young Talent Award at the 2006 Star Awards for your acting in the Channel 8 drama Rhapsody in Blue. Was there a TV theme song that captured your imagination back then?

When I was a child, I used to remember all the Mediacorp OSTs by heart. Each one inspired me, and it was my dream to sing in one of these OSTs. One that I particularly loved was the theme song of the long-running daily TV series Holland V, titled The Password to Happiness. It is such a fun and cheeky song—I even sang it at my concert in 2022!

The Password to Happiness

Over the years, you’ve also been regularly featured on TV singing competitions, including Taiwan's China Television's Chinese Million Star and Hope Star, as well as Channel 5's The Final 1, where you covered a variety of songs. Which song was your favorite to perform?

I have always performed Stefanie Sun’s What I Miss because I am a huge fan of hers. I have sung this song multiple times in various competitions. It suits my vocal range and showcases my tone—plus, I absolutely enjoy singing it!

Boon Hui Lu singing Stefanie Sun’s What I Miss on Hope Star

Besides singing and rapping, you also play the keyboard and guitar. You even have your hand in songwriting, with your compositions being performed by Taiwanese artists like Hebe Tien and Joanne Tseng. Is there a song you have ever considered reclaiming for your own performance?

I first learned to play the keyboard in secondary school and only picked up the guitar during my university days. I actually performed Guess, a song I wrote for Joanne Tseng, in its original form during one of my shows. My demo Bring Me is quite electronic and very different from the ballad style of the final version. I thought it would be interesting to showcase how the original demo sounded.

Bring Me (Demo of Joanne Tseng’s Guess) by Boon Hui Lu

Many know you as the Goddess of Covers—your renditions of Malaysian hip-hop artist Namewee’s Stranger In the North and Hong Kong singer-songwriter G.E.M.’s Light Years Away have garnered tens of millions of views on YouTube. You even released two cover EPs in 2017 and 2018. Are there any songs you still want to cover?

I still cover songs occasionally on my social media because I truly love singing! There are so many songs I wish to cover, but I just do not have the time. These days, I try to make shorter versions so I can sing more of the songs I love.

Boon Hui Lu’s acoustic cover of Taiwanese singer-songwriter Waa Wei’s na mo miss you

Your debut album, Honestly Me, which showcases your musical range across pop, acoustic, rock and hip-hop genres, was finally released in 2019. Besides the eponymous lead single that opens the album and the final track Dear,, is there a B-side that is your personal favourite?

Between Dust and Dreams is a song from this album that I really adore because it is one of my earliest works. I was really into alternative rock at the time. Being able to create my own song in a genre I loved, made me feel accomplished and proud of myself.

Boon Hui Lu’s first studio album, Honestly Me

In the three years that followed, you married Singaporean music producer Cheong Waii Hoong, grappled with steatocystoma, and lived through the COVID pandemic. How did these experiences change you and the kind of music you listen to?

These experiences have humbled me and taught me a lot about appreciating what I have in life. I am more reflective now, and have fallen in love with chill-out, nostalgic, and even folk-inspired music from artists like Sunset Rollercoaster, Gracie Abrams and Lewis Capaldi. In mid-2022, I released my album Reset, which definitely reflects their musical influences, as the songs are more introspective and melancholic.

Your sophomore album, Reset, features a slew of crossovers with Kenny Khoo (Qiu Feng Ze), GBOYSWAG  and Nauledge Huang. Which one of these collaborations left the deepest impression on you?

The collaboration with GBOYSWAG was the most interesting one for me because we did not meet until the day of the recording. My previous record label helped bring GBOYSWAG on board for the song, Losing Myself, and we communicated like penpals—working on the music through texts and emails until we finally met in person on the recording day. It was an amazing experience, especially since it had been so long since I had a penpal. We had a great conversation and it was truly refreshing and memorable!

Losing Myself by Boon Hui Lu feat. GBOYSWAG

As a Singaporean, it must not be easy being based in Taiwan and working in the Mandopop industry, following in the footsteps of Stefanie Sun, Tanya Chua and JJ Lin, among others. Whose song reminds you of home?

I really enjoy singing Tanya Chua’s Where I Belong. Whenever I sing this song and read the lyrics, it always brings back sweet memories of my loved ones in Singapore, my homeland, no matter where I am.

Lastly, could you leave us with a song for Valentine’s?

I wrote a super sweet song called HER GUIDE TO LOVE while on my honeymoon. It is a chill-out, surf rock track about how a girl wants and hopes to be loved in a relationship. I think it could serve as a perfect guide for anyone looking to bring love and happiness to their sweetheart!

Boon Hui Lu’s romantic single HER GUIDE TO LOVE

Go on a Valentine’s date with Boon Hui Lu at her one-night only concert, Hey Dear, Time to Go Back Again with Me, at the Esplanade Annexe Studio on 14 February 2025, Friday, 8pm, as part of Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts.

Contributed by:

Quek Yee Kiat

Yee Kiat is a freelance music writer who listens to anything the Apple Music algorithm throws at him. He is also a theatre translator, critic and playwright. His guilty pleasure is blasting 80s Cantopop at 3AM while attempting to read poetry.


Celebrate Chinese arts and culture with Huayi

Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts 2025

An unforgettable experience in the arts that you can share with your loved ones, young or old.

7 – 16 Feb 2025
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