Note: The following article is originally in Mandarin. If there are any grammer mistakes, errors or misinterpretation (I try not to), please bear with me. Thanks.

Idol Mag
The Truth About Lee Hom

Coincidentally, for Lee Hom's past few visits to Malaysia, it has always been me doing interviews with him. Together with the time he came as a VIP for a talent singing contest, i have met him and known him quite well. However, it was the first interview that left a strong impression on me.

The Growing Up Years

When did you offically make your first contact with the world?
Ever since primary school, i have always like to play with toys that allow to be creative, for example Lego blocks, Star Wars figurines. I would then make up my own plot and was very involved in it. I even put the figurines into the fridge, justthe like movie plot! This would keep my whole day busy.

The Chosen Road

Now that you are a singer, have you ever felt that this road that you have chosen is very natural or expected of you?
I feel that with very opportunity comes a sacrifice. For example my music career, i have to plan and monitor it carefully. Every choice chosen is bond to bring  about some sort of sacrifice. Sometimes it is impossible to let it flow by itself, like water, i have to observe it carefully, be able to answer to myself, to music and obtain an equilibrium in my heart.I will put my focus now on pop music because this is my job. I will do my best, always challenging myself and working harder. Only when i have gained a certain stable status in the music industry then will i take time off to fulfill my other dreams, eg: producing broadway musicals, or pairing music background for movies.

Recently you schedule in Asia has become tighter, your performance time has increased. How did it decrease you time for song writing?
It is still okay. The promotion period usually lasts for a few months, especially for me as i am still studying. I am just like a bird seeking solace, flying back here for the summer but spending the rest of my time in America. It is only then when i can fully bury myself in music and that is the time to produce music.

A lot of people have said: Lee-hom, isn't it a pity not to give up school and use you golden years to pursue your music career? However i thought otherwise, giving up school is more of a pity because the experience gained here is different from the experience gain in America. I must hang on to both sides in order to excel. I must have a balanced life.

The Degree of Perfectionism

Either in or outside the entertainment circle, all those who have come in contact with you have felt that you are nearly perfect. Handsome in looks, talented in music, stable and mature in singing voice, deep in thoughts, friendly in character......So how do you actually think about yourself as perfect in standard?
Actually, most of the time people only see the Lee-hom on stage, the performing me. It is very difficult to know the real me. There are even less people who can really sit down, chat or have a heart-to-heart talk with me.

Many people thought that it was very dearing to see that although you had won the Golden Melody awards, you still kept your humidity.
Bascially i have a very realistic outlook. Although i have won the award, it changes nothing. It is just like waiting for your tenth birthday, it does not mean anything after it is over. The actual reward is not the moment of glory but to keep asking myself ten years down the road what i would have contributed to the music industry, what message i had sent to my fans. This is the most meaningful thing a singer or song writer can get.

Tell the truth, does Lee-hom feels that he has any bad points?
Bad points.....(pauses) actually there are quite a few but there is no choice, i would often suffer from it, others would not see it. For example, being undecisive of choices: singing styles, record companies, music directions etc. I know I should not be so undecisive, it would help to reduce my worries. I should relax more however my charater becomes very undecisive with anything to do with politics. As a singer stays longer in this circle, it gets harder to make decisions. When i first started, i only had to worry about the record sales. After gaing success, i worry about breaking my own record, it just keep increases. Taking myself as an example, the sales from the 6 albums are quite moderate, i feel that i am maturing in this industry. I hope that i will one day reach the very top but yet still be able to produce new and fresh songs and singing style.

Lee Hom's Temper

Under which circumstances would Lee Hom Lose his temper?
When Lee Hom loses his temper, he will not shout at anyone but he will throw hsi stuff around at home, I will only vent my anger when nobody is around. I will never lose my temper in front of anyone. If someone says something which i feel is inaccecptable, u would speak to him privately about it. I can control myself. For example when i was a musical director in America, even if i was so mad and wanted to shout at a person, I would first think of the person's feelings hence calming myself naturally.

You do really think of the people around you, to the extent that you think about the person's feelings before you comment on anything.
Yes, especially when i am working, Teamwork is very important. Losing my temper suddenly would only make myself look ugly. We should never let our own emotions affect the importance of teamwork.

Lee Hom's confession of his love life

A lot of people are keen to know about Lee Hom's love life. A guy with so many qualities, how is yours then? Let's talk about your most treasured one.
I find that as i grow up, it is harder to fall in love. I remember that before i "saw" the world, I was naive, never finding faults with the person, she was almost perfect in my heart. Then i believed in everlasting love, it was a very pure, simple love. But the Lee Hom now is different. I have to consider many factors first, how busy i am as i am a public figure now so i would temporary focus on more important issues first hence downplaying relationships. But i still believe in love, especially the romantic type.

Then have you ever tried giving your all in the relationships??
Oh yes, yes. But it was last time. The future was never in the picture then, only 2 of us matters. However too many factors resulted in our separation.We went to different university and both of us changed, the distance apart took a toll hence separation was unavoidable.

Is she still important to you?
Yes, still is. If things were to repeat, she would still be my top priority but alias........ it is over.

After her, did anyone important appear? Especially after you became a singer.
Hmm......(pauses) It is more difficult to find one, esp. when working. Even if you meet this cute reporter, because of who i am, I can't say "Hey, free tonight? Let's go for dinner together." Hahaha. Because relationships are very personal, absolutely bot mixable with work.Actually i still yearn for love to come my way but it must be naturally. Being in love is very improatant hence i write a lot of love songs. (pause) But my attitude now is no one is perfect. In every relationship, there must be some degree of giving, loving the person's good and bad points at the same thime, making some sacrifice but also a compromise.

What if recently you met someone you like, fell in love. Would you, because of work, hide your relationship?
I feel that relationship is a very personla thing. it is not other people's business, not media's business. It is between me and her, that personal and close feeling. It shouldn't be the public's talking point. Besides, people's gossip may affect and spoli the relationship.

So would you hide it?
No! I would not lie and create a mirage. If i were really to be in love, I would not say who she is. Besides i am a tarus. Tarus guys are very dedicated to love.

What Lee Hom wants to do now

Okay, let's talk about what you want to do in the next 6 months.
I hope to travel. It's been a long time since i went on vacation. Give me a quiet, good weather country.Actually i really want to go to France or Italy. It is a place where i can be fully rested. I also want to brush up on my cantonese because of work. It is also due to my strong interest in learning that language.

At this moment, what would you say as your motto?
Well, everytime i get anxious, be it facing pressure or when i am sad, i would tell myself : You only live once. This is your life and your choice, how you want to live your life is up to you but most importantly, you must be accountable to yourself.