The first time I heard of Rene Liu wasn’t because of her songs. That was probably middle school. Star Chinese Channel was airing April Rhapsody, and Rene Liu played the rather tragic lead — but it was that role that stuck with me. I don’t know if I liked the frail woman she played or liked Rene Liu herself, but I think it was the former. At least later, when Pink Ladies came on, I took one look and ignored it. Luckily I later heard her songs. Most of them have the shadow of cover versions, but her distinctive voice still left that first impression: a frail woman, quietly singing those slightly sad stories.

I don’t have any grand ambitions in life, so you’ll find I tend to spend all my money in one area and nothing at all in others. Still, keeping a record of what I buy and writing a bit about it has its upsides: First, it reminds me: “Look at you, you idiot, wasting money again!” Second, it lets other people know: “Look at this idiot named Li wasting money again.” Yes, long story short, this idiot has been wasting money again. Let’s talk impressions.