Wikipedia

JJ Lin

In this Chinese name, the family name is Lin.

Wayne Lim Junjie (Chinese: 林俊傑; born 27 March 1981), professionally known as JJ Lin, is a Singaporean singer, songwriter, record producer, businessman, and a novelist.[1] Lin launched his musical career with the release of his debut album, Music Voyager, in 2003. Lin has received three Golden Melody Awards, including one for Best New Artist and two for Best Mandarin Male Singer.[2]

JJ Lin
Lin performing at the KKBox Music Awards ceremony in 2017
Born (1981-03-27) 27 March 1981 (age 43)
Singapore
Education
Alma materSaint Andrew's Junior College
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • record producer
  • actor
  • businessman
Years active2003–present
Organizations
  • JFJ Productions
  • Team SMG
Musical career
OriginSingapore
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • guitar
Labels
Websitejjlin.com
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese林俊杰
Traditional Chinese林俊傑
Hanyu PinyinLín Jùnjié
JyutpingLam4 Zeon3 Git6
Hokkien POJLîm Chùn-kia̍t

Early life

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Lin was born in Singapore to a Hokkien family[3] and studied at Jing Shan Primary School [zh], Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and Saint Andrew's Junior College before completing his National Service (NS). Lin's grandfather used to run a maritime transport business when Lin was young.[4] Lin's father has a telecommunications-related business while his mother owns a family karaoke chain and has a background in Chinese classical music, hence influencing Lin's music. His brother, a manager in a European bank, was a major influence in his career choice.[5][6]

Career

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2003–2006: Debut and career beginnings

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Lin in 2014

In addition to Mandarin, Lin also sings in English, Hokkien and Cantonese using a romanized pronunciation system, and has released his songs in Cantonese. In Taiwan, he was awarded the Best New Artist award at the Golden Melody Awards.[7] After completing his NS, Lin signed with Ocean Butterflies International, which launched the then 22-year-old Lin's debut album in 2003.[8] In 2011, Lin signed a new contract with the record label Warner Music Taiwan.

He is well known for his songwriting and singing skills. He wrote songs for various musical artists while he was still a trainee under Ocean Butterflies under his mentors, Billy Koh and Sunkist Ng. In total, he has written over a hundred songs for other artists. His notable compositions include "Remember" (记得) for Taiwanese singer A-Mei, A-Do's "Let Go" (放手), Harlem Yu's "What's Wrong With You?" (干嘛你看不爽我), Cyndi Wang's "When You" (当你), Vivian Hsu's "Smiling Eyes" (爱笑的眼睛), and Comic Boyz's "Heart of Superman" (超人心). In Singapore, he was selected to perform the remixed version of "Home", the theme song of the National Day Parade in 2004. Lin has sold 1 million copies in less than a week and is extremely successful throughout Asia.[9]

2007–2009: Commercial success and recognition

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In July 2007, he broke a Guinness record by signing 3,052 CDs in 2 hours and 30 minutes. During the signing, he was not allowed to drink or eat. The average time for him to sign a CD was 2.7 seconds.[10] In May 2008, he performed at the CCTV charity event The Giving of Love, dedicated to helping victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Lin also donated a large sum of money to the rescue efforts and composed a song "Love and Hope" (Chinese: 愛與希望; pinyin: Ài Yǚ Xī Wàng) commemorating the tragedy. In February 2008, Lin released a compilation album entitled Waiting for Love (Chinese: 期待爱; pinyin: Qīdài Ài). It has selected tracks from several of his albums spanning from his debut album to 2007's West Side.[11] Later in October of that year, his sixth album, Sixology (Chinese: 陸; pinyin: Liù), was released, and it sold 280,000 copies in a week. His own fashion line, SMUDGE,[12] was opened in Singapore during 2008 Christmas with an unofficial launch. The store's official launch was on 13 March 2009.

In May 2009, Lin won three awards at the 14th annual Composers and Authors Society of the UK (Compass) Awards Presentations,[13] a ceremony that honors performers in the music scene. It was held at the Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace and Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore. He was honored with the Top Local Artiste of the Year award, which is given out to Singaporean artists who generated the highest royalty earnings for the year. In that same year, Lin won the Singapore Youth Award.[14] In 2009, his singing career was put on hold due to his voice being damaged by acid reflux and flu, as well as his hectic touring and recording schedules. His poor health forced him to return to Singapore to recover and receive treatments. He released the seventh album, Hundred Days, on 18 December 2009.

2010–2013: Continued success

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In May 2010, Lin performed in America for the first time at the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Concert Tour (APAHM).[15] In June 2010, Lin performed together with American singer Sean Kingston at the opening concert of the Marina Bay Sands to thousands of invited VIPs guests. But both were absent at the inaugural YOG Opening Ceremony. Lin's eighth album, She Says (她說), was released on 8 December 2010. Lin's ninth studio album, Lost N Found (学不会) was released on 31 December 2011. A preview of his 9th album was made available on 12 December 2011 on various Chinese internet radio channels.[16] Lin's tenth anniversary album, Stories Untold (因你而在) was released on 13 March 2013. A compilation of micro films were released in conjunction with the album, serving to expand the stories behind the songs. He worked with a few notable people on the album, including Ashin, Harry Chang (张怀秋), and his older brother Eugene Lim (林俊峰). He also started his world tour "Timeline" in July 2013 in Taipei, Taiwan.

2014–2019: Performances, songwriting and touring

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Lin co-wrote the song "Dreams" with Goh Kheng Long and Corrinne May and performed the song live during the grand finale at the Chingay Parade on 27 and 28 February 2015.[17] One of his recent ventures in the world of music was a duet with Ayumi Hamasaki, for the latter's music video, "The Gift" (and as of 27 April 2015, has about 1,882,459-page views).[18][19] In 2015, he was selected to perform the National Day Theme Song, "Our Singapore", which was composed by Dick Lee. His experimental album From M.E. to Myself was released on 25 December 2015. On 7 July 2016, Lin released "If Miracles had a Sound", a 96-minute music documentary created over the course of 455 days, taking place throughout studios in the U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The theme song of the documentary, "Infinity and Beyond" (超越无限) was released on 21 June 2016.

On 19 December 2017, JJ Lin posted on his Instagram page that the past two years "had not been easy" and that he had been "searching constantly for a clear direction", needing a "shelter for the soul, a 'SANCTUARY'". He "penned songs and finished his Message in a Bottle album", which was released on 29 December 2017. At the same time, he and his team and "shared a common vision, starting on project "SANCTUARY" and built the space from ground zero".[20] In early 2018, he announced his "Sanctuary" concert tour began in Shanghai on 17 March.[21] In 2019, he released The Story of Us (Chinese: 将故事写成我们), and actress Wu Jinyan starred in the music video.[22]

2020–present: Recent works

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In January 2020, Lin released a song "I'll Stay With You" dedicated to the medical staff in Wuhan, China, who were working hard to save patients infected with COVID-19.[23] On 20 October 2021, Lin released his first album that contains songs in English, titled "Like You Do".[24] He also collaborated with English singer Anne-Marie in producing the song "Bedroom".[25]

Ambassadorships and show appearances

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Lin has appeared in various advertisements for brands such as Sprite, Dota 2, Beats and Cornetto Royale. He is also a tourist ambassador for Singapore,[26] and an IP Ambassador for the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore in 2012.[27] On 14 August 2015, Lin was selected to be the advisor for Team Harlem Yu on The Voice of China (season 4). On 4 November 2016, Lin joined the variety show "Dream Voice" as one of the mentors alongside A-mei Zhang, Jam Hsiao, Hebe Tian, and Yu Quan.[28] He stayed on as a mentor for the second season of the show, which was released in October 2017,[29] and the third season, which was released in October 2018.

In 2019, he took part in the Chinese food travelogue show Chef Nic. On 24 February 2021, Lin performed a medley of songs ("A Whole New World", "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", "Let It Go" and "Embark") to commemorate the official launch of the digital streaming service Disney+ in Singapore, which launched a day earlier on the 23rd.[30]

Business career

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In 2017, Lin launched his business career. He established Team Still Moving under Gunfire (Team SMG), a professional esports team.[31] Initially focused on Arena of Valor,[31] Team SMG has expanded itself into other games such as PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds in 2018, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in 2020[32] and Dota 2 in 2021.[33]

In July 2022, Lin said he is collaborating with Kiat Lim, son of Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, and Elroy Cheo, a scion of the Cheo family that owns edible oils firm Mewah International, to co-found ARC, an app-based digital community that authenticates member profiles with non-fungible tokens (NFTs).[34] Beginning 30 September 2022, Lin ran his pop-up café Miracle Coffee at the outdoor rain oculus of ArtScience Museum. It was also announced that a flagship outlet of Miracle Coffee was expected to be opened at the museum's lobby in 2023.[35]

Discography

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Main article: JJ Lin discography

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Role Notes Ref
2007 Legend of the Sea (东海战) Little Dragon Price Voiceover; also composed and performed theme song "自由不变" [36]
2015 The Wonderful Wedding Himself Cameo
2016 The Secret Jimmy Also composed and performed theme song "只要有你的地方"

Television series

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Year Title Role Notes Ref
2006 Hanazakarino Kimitachihe Lu Jingxi
2008 Pretty Ugly (原來我不帥) Zhuang Junwei

Reality and variety shows

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Year Title Notes
2016 Sound of My Dream Judge
2017 Sound of My Dream 2 Judge
2018 Sound of My Dream 3 Judge

Tours

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Main article: List of JJ Lin concert tours

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2003 Singapore Hit Awards Best New Artist (Gold) — Won [37]
2004 15th Golden Melody Awards Best New Artist Music Voyager Won [37][2]
2005 Singapore Hit Awards Best Local Male Singer — Won [37]
Best Singer-Songwriter Won
Best Performing Male Singer Won
Best Local Composition "A Thousand Years Later" from No. 89757 Won
"No. 89757" from No. 89757 Won
2006 Compass Awards Best Local Youth Songwriter — Won
2007 Best Local Singer Won
Best Local Film Song "Summer Breeze" (feat. Kym) from No. 89757 Won
Singapore Hit Awards Best Local Singer Westside Won
2008 Compass Awards Best Local Songwriter — Won
2009 Won
Best Local Singer Won
Best Local Film Song "Freedom" from Westside Won
Singapore Hit Awards Best Local Singer — Won
2010 21st Golden Melody Awards Best Mandarin Male Singer Hundred Days Nominated
Compass Awards Best Local Singer — Won
Best Local Songwriter Won
2011 22nd Golden Melody Awards Best Mandarin Male Singer She Says Nominated [38][37]
2014 2014 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Asian Artist — Won [39]
25th Golden Melody Awards Best Mandarin Male Singer Stories Untold Won
Compass Awards Best Local Singer — Won
Best Local Songwriter Won
2015 26th Golden Melody Awards Best Composer "Listen Up" from Rice & Shine by Eason Chan Nominated
Best Single Producer "Listen Up" from Rice & Shine by Eason Chan Nominated
2016 27th Golden Melody Awards Song of the Year "Twilight" from From M.E. to Myself Nominated
Best Music Video "I Am Alive" (feat. Jason Mraz) from Genesis Nominated
Best Album Producer From M.E. to Myself Nominated
Best Composer "Twilight" from From M.E. to Myself Won
Best Mandarin Male Singer From M.E. to Myself Won
2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Asian Artist — Won
2018 29th Golden Melody Awards Album of the Year Message in a Bottle Nominated
Best Album Producer Nominated
Best Male Vocalist – Mandarin Nominated
Best Album in Mandarin Nominated
Song of the Year "Little Big Us" (from Message in a Bottle) Nominated
Best Composer Nominated
2018 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Asian Artist — Won
2021 32nd Golden Melody Awards
Best Male Vocalist – Mandarin Drifter • Like You Do Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "JJ Lin – singer/actor". jpopasia.com/. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  2. ^ a b (in Chinese) GIO, Taiwan 15th Golden Melody Awards winners list Archived 25 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine 12 May 2004. Retrieved 20 June 2011
  3. ^ "林俊杰演唱会说出小时候的秘密 被妈妈打 所有的男孩都会犯的错". qq.com. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Dishing with Chris Lee - JJ Lin, Hong Junyang, Fann Wong". mewatch. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  5. ^ "为什么林俊杰没事？ 他揭"惊人家世"吓到闭嘴|中國報". 中國報 China Press. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Profile and Facts of JJ Lin: Bio, Net Worth, Fun Facts etc". MIJ Miner8. 18 May 2017. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  7. ^ Birchmeier, Jason. "Biography: JJ Lin". AMG. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  8. ^ Paige Lim (11 June 2015). "Billy Koh made JJ Lin a big Mandopop star". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  9. ^ NDP 2004 - Home by Lin JunJie, 10 May 2011, retrieved 11 July 2021
  10. ^ "JJ Lin Earns Autograph-Signing World Record". CRIENGLISH. 23 July 2007. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  11. ^ Duzhe Issues 9–16 – Page 69 2008 "期待你的爱/林俊杰 "
  12. ^ "SMUDGE STORE – ABOUT THE STORE". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  13. ^ "COMPASS – 14th Compass Annual Awards Presentation". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012.
  14. ^ JJ Lin among recipients of Singapore Youth Award 2009 Archived 5 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine 1 July 2009
  15. ^ "Connecting with American Fans: an interview with JJ Lin and Evonne Hsu". Asia Pacific Arts. 18 August 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  16. ^ "林俊傑 – 官方網站". Archived from the original on 5 April 2012.
  17. ^ "Singer-songwriter JJ Lin is star of this year's Chingay parade". The Straits Times. 27 February 2015. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  18. ^ "JJ Lin stars in Ayumi Hamasaki's new MV". Archived from the original on 22 August 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.
  19. ^ 浜崎あゆみ / The GIFT（ayumi hamasaki – The GIFT feat. JJ Lin）【Music Video】. 16 March 2015. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "Instagram post by JJ Lin • Dec 19, 2017 at 12:05 pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  21. ^ "JJ Lin 林俊杰 2018 Tour and Concert Dates". Musicacrossasia. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  22. ^ "吴谨言MV扮玉兔 林俊杰：她的眼睛会说故事". 早报 (in Simplified Chinese). 31 December 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  23. ^ Smith, Lamont Mark. "'I'll stay with you': Grateful netizens thank JJ Lin and Stefanie Sun for encouraging Wuhan medical staff with touching song, Business Insider – Business Insider Singapore". www.businessinsider.sg. Archived from the original on 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Mandopop singer JJ Lin releases new album, including an English song". CNA Lifestyle. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  25. ^ "JJ Lin unveils new single with Anne-Marie, 'Bedroom' — listen". JJ Lin unveils new single with Anne-Marie, 'Bedroom' — listen | Bandwagon | Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  26. ^ "JJ is Singapore's New Tourism Ambassador to Greater China | STB". www.stb.gov.sg. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Speech by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and Law, Ms Sim Ann, at The Originals IP Champion Music Fiesta 2012 Finale". www.mlaw.gov.sg. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  28. ^ 《梦想的声音》第二期收视大涨 萧敬腾、林俊杰玩合体. 联合早报网 (in Chinese). 16 November 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  29. ^ "《梦想的声音2》导师林俊杰回归，什么歌曲让JJ表示压力山大？_娱乐_新闻_新视听网站". news.jnnc.com (in Chinese (China)). Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  30. ^ "Join me for A Night of Disney+, with a music performance like never before! Stream the dream at 8pm tomorrow, see you there! Watch it on: Disney+ (SG) FB, Singapore Tourism Board FB, MEWATCH, Mediacorp Channel 5, Mediacorp Channel 8, StarHub Ch111/825 @DisneyPlusSG #DisneyPlusSG". Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  31. ^ a b "JJ Lin's E-sports Team Breaks Through Southeast Asian Market by Acquiring Malaysian Team". HYPE & STUFF. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  32. ^ "Singer JJ Lin's e-sports organisation enters Southeast Asia with Malaysian team". CNA. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  33. ^ "JJ Lin's Team SMG is entering Dota with new squad led by Mushi and ninjaboogie | ONE Esports". www.oneesports.gg. 5 January 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  34. ^ Wang, Catherine. "Pop Star JJ Lin Joins Singaporean Scions To Build 'Web2.5' NFT Community". Forbes. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  35. ^ "JJ Lin's Miracle Coffee pop-up at MBS extending 'through to 2023'". mothership.sg. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  36. ^ "Legend of the Sea Born in Singapore". 25 May 2007.
  37. ^ a b c d "Biography of JJ Lin" Archived 4 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine.JJ Lin Official Website. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  38. ^ (in Chinese) GIO, Taiwan 22nd Golden Melody Awards nomination list Archived 25 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine 13 May 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2011
  39. ^ "Mnet Asian Music Awards 2014 Winners". Mnet Asian Music Awards. Archived from the original on 4 May 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
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