C-POP Classics and Popular Songs: Recommended Tracks and Hit Songs from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan
In this article, we’ll introduce many classic C-pop songs that have been growing in popularity year by year!
C-pop is widely loved.
As an umbrella term for music from the Chinese-speaking world—centered around Mandarin-based Mandopop, along with music originating from Taiwan and Hong Kong’s Cantopop—you’ll find yourself captivated by its many styles.
You’ll surely be drawn in by the high level of musicality and the powerful, skillful vocals.
There are popular theme songs as well as singers and bands who have collaborated with Japanese artists, so keep an eye on those connections too, and be sure to check them out.
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C-POP Classics & Popular Songs: Recommended Tracks and Hit Songs from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (141–150)
The world is so big, yet I still met you.Teikyou
The song “The World Is So Big, Yet I Still Met You,” released in January 2020 by singer Chen Shang, who became famous on TikTok.
It’s a Chinese version of the Myanmar song “Fresh Little Girl,” with lyrics written by Chen Shang for this cover.
It went viral online through TikTok and QQ Music, and won many awards, including a spot in the Top 10 Pop Songs at the 2021 Tencent Music Awards.
A heartwarming song about friendships formed while traveling and the miracle of meeting in such a vast world.
Chen Shang’s graceful vocals make it soothing to listen to.
It’s a perfect track for those moments when you’re thinking of someone dear who is far away.
Umezoko: The Dark Plum SauceRonghao Li
A bittersweet love story spun by Li Ronghao.
Born in 1985 in China, he is a singer-songwriter who is also active as an actor.
Released in November 2022, this song is a heartwarming love ballad that portrays the peaceful moments shared by lovers.
It gently sings of two people spending time together under the setting sun and cherishing the little joys in life.
With a simple, melodic C-pop style, it carries a relaxed vibe.
It became a massive hit on social media in 2023, inspiring numerous covers and remixes.
It’s a perfect track not only for those in love but also for anyone who wants to unwind in a calm mood.
Good thing there are people like me too — Loner Lover.Sweet John
Sweet John is a band formed in Taiwan in 2016.
"Loner Lover" (It’s nice to know someone’s like me) is a song they released on March 14, 2024.
It expresses the feeling of being exhausted by pretending at flashy parties and by superficial interactions, and the longing to find someone who accepts your true self.
The phrase “還好有人跟我一樣” (“Thankfully, someone is just like me”) is repeated, offering empathy and reassurance to those who feel lonely or out of place by fostering a sense of connection with others who feel the same.
Sonically, the track blends indie pop with funktronica, conveying a message that is gentle yet powerful.
Sweet John’s music is distinguished by a unique style that blends elements of math rock, jazz, and sampling.
It features catchy, dazzling arrangements, breezy melodies, and lyrics that are both resonant and warm.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who feels a bit out of place in social settings.
[C-POP Classics & Popular Songs] Recommended tracks and hit songs from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (151–160)
Riding on a solitary, light-and-shadow journey — Glimpses of a JourneyTian Fuzhen Hebe Tien
Hebe Tien, known affectionately as “Hebe,” is a member of S.H.E, the Taiwan-born idol group that has been widely active and gained popularity in Japan.
Since releasing her solo album in 2010, she has continued working as a solo singer and remains energetically active into the 2020s.
Her song Far Journey in Unmanned Light and Shadow, released in August 2023, is a beautiful masterpiece whose highlights include the distinctive interplay between acoustic guitar resonance and distorted guitar tones, its dramatic development, and its gorgeous choral work.
The lyrics are also wonderful, expressing tender yet heartbreaking feelings toward a lover who seems to have already gone.
Be sure to give it a listen.
The you I lostKaren Mok
Karen Mok’s song “The You I Lost” centers on rediscovering a lost love.
It’s a love song that conveys the surprise reunion with a first love long separated, and the sense that a once-lost romance might begin again.
The track was also used as a movie theme song, notably aligning beautifully with the film’s story and the lyrics.
Karen Mok, a Hong Kong–born singer and actress active mainly in Taiwan, brings a distinctive vocal tone that perfectly matches the song’s mood and resonates deeply with listeners.
The piece captures the sense of loss after parting from a loved one, as well as the joy and relief of meeting again.
It’s a fine song that delicately portrays the subtleties of love.
room; margin; leeway; space; scope (depending on context)Yu Wenwen
A 2021 song by Chinese-Canadian singer Kelly Yu.
Featured on the album Act Two, it’s a love song delivered as a multifaceted interpretation of love for music.
The lyrics resonate with the difficulty of continuing to love, portraying someone who walks through life getting hurt and healing along the way.
The complex scenes shot in Vancouver, Canada, further elevate the song and make it moving.
It’s a bittersweet yet gentle track in which music soothes the soul and wraps around a wounded heart.
Dear Target UntitledJolin Tsai
Jolin Tsai is a popular artist from Taiwan who is not only a singer but also a dancer and entrepreneur.
Known as the “Queen of C-POP,” she has a career spanning over 20 years and continues to actively release new work.
Her song “親愛的對象 Untitled” is a poignant mid-tempo ballad that beautifully showcases her talent.
The music video, released in December 2022, had recorded over 6.9 million views as of September 2023, demonstrating her high level of popularity.
It’s a highly polished pop song that’s easy for anyone to enjoy, making it very accessible even for J-POP listeners.