Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emma Xu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emma, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

At 17, I embarked on a journey as a K-pop girl group trainee, driven by a profound passion for being an artist, despite not fully understanding what “K-pop” entailed. Becoming a K-pop idol proved to be one of the most challenging paths, with many harsh realities lurking behind its glamorous facade. I had to quit high school and pursue self-study while maintaining my rigorous trainee schedule. After five years of relentless effort, I came very close to debuting. I gained some recognition in China by participating in a Chinese TV program (link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRYBswweRkQ&list=PLmHvcli_9mkRb6a88Zt-j1eA5cry2vzqz). However, I gradually realized that living under a constructed persona brought me immense misery. I yearned for freedom. This led me to pursue an education in music at CalArts. While the future remains uncertain, I am deeply aware of the life I no longer wish to live.

Emma, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I bring a unique and pleasing style of experimental music to my audience, a genre that few others explore. I introduce Buddhism and Chinese traditional instruments to electronic music, creating an exciting new genre. As I buddhist I believe mantra can help boost people’s wisdom and help them erase karma. Hence I tried to bring the wisdom of Buddhism to my music as well.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

One audience member commented on my music, saying they deeply resonated with my story and felt empowered by the messages I convey. I believe art has great power, comparable to science in its impact on human civilization. Therefore, I am extremely careful about the information I include and the messages I intend to convey through my music. My goal is to bring a moment of happiness to my listeners whenever they hear my songs. Ultimately, my greatest dream is to positively change someone’s life, whether in a big or small way. Hearing that would make me incredibly happy and motivate me to continue my mission and put in even more effort.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

To increase support for artists, we need to make funds more accessible and sufficient. I’m specifically addressing wealthy individuals. Art is just as important as science, yet rich people often invest in companies like Tesla and Apple for quick profits. However, it’s everyone’s responsibility to help advance human civilization and make Earth a better and more sustainable place to live. Art is integral to this process. I hope wealthy individuals can focus a bit less on accumulating more wealth and start caring more about the environment their offspring will inherit.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pmcreation.myportfolio.com/pm
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/princessm_eow_/

Image Credits
Zhejiang TV Bonnie Fu