If there is one word to describe this week's episode: Cruel. Way too cruel to pick the top 6 from so many incredible contestants. Way too cruel to put them right in the middle of the stage surrounded by more than 400 people judging them face-to-face - YES or NO. The show has to go on. Did hot favourites Nathan Hartono and Xu Ge Yang get through? Who else made the mark to go to the Bird Nest Stadium? What's the song list for October 7 Sing!China finale? All the details here:



You can watch the whole episode here!



Yu Tian
If you remembered from the previous episode, Yu Tian was extremely hated for depriving his more worthy teammate Pu Xiang from advancing in the competition. This time, he carries a lot of pressure to this stage. Clad in Jay Chou's jacket and a Phantasi cap, he sings 小镇姑娘, a really lovely and likeable song by David Tao. This Canadian Chinese tried his best to give justice to both his and Pu Xiang's dreams. It was very 'overseas Chinese' style a la Wang Leehom, very catchy. But obviously, at this point in the competition, just being 'somewhat good' is not enough. One of the media representatives coldly just said he felt absolutely nothing throughout the performance. Yu was evidently upset by the hurtful comment, as his smile faltered for the rest of the night. Being the first contestant up, he is at a disadvantage as people tend to be more critical with no point of reference. With too many of these factors at play, it resulted in a disappointing score.

I still miss Pu Xiang... :(

Zhao Xiao Xi
In a full red suit, Zhao Xiao Xi is possessed by Harlem, and bounces around the stage throughout the performance. He sings 我们要在一起 by Mavis Fan, and everyone bobs their head to the beat. His confidence shoots up the roof. He completely sheds the shadow of the original song. He has improved again from his previous appearances. Harlem, his teacher, appears to be highly entertained, but the rest of them appears either stressed or unimpressed. Wang Feng's expression is especially unreadable... the judges seem very competitive and biting today. The media reps are stingy with their votes as well, which resulted in a more compassionate audience response.

Verdict:
51 media representatives: 18
350 audience members: 302



Li Pei Ling
The queen slays again - I mean, Na Ying and her song choices. Na Ying is not as inventive as Jay or Harlem, but I must say she always picks the best songs for her students. Li Pei Ling sings 我知道你很难过, and her voice has matured even more than before, and projects her feelings effectively. Imagery is central. When she sings, you can totally be led into another realm. This is not the first time this song is featured in the VOC series. 刘珂 from VOC season 3 has done a memorable cover for this before.

Verdict:
51 media representatives: 39
350 audience members: 306



My amazing queen, again, I have been waiting for her performance all week. And she does not disappoint, in fact, she has become even more unbeatable with her commanding personality. It's as if - everyone stop, look at her glow! Her song of the night is 异类, and the striking first line is: 'If you don't like to hear me sing, shut your ears!' There's a Mad World x Linkin' Park feel to the whole song. It is almost as if Vinida and Wang Chuang's combined power has added wings to Xu Ge Yang, interchanging between damn-rock to gentle parts of the song.



Her whole performance just screams SWAG. That hair flip, that power as she says 'I am not threatened by anyone, I am prepared to face up to the strongest opponents any time.' Way to go, girl! Definitely a song that I will replay all week! She has always been my favourite, and she will be my favourite all the way to the finals.



OK I love her extra so I give her more screen captures, okay. 💕

Verdict:
51 media representatives: 40
350 audience members: 344
Ji Ke Hao
Ji Ke Hao is one of my top favourites as well, with a distinctive style that can be identifiable even when you close your eyes and just listen out. Any song he sings can be converted to his style, yes, even a classic song like 滾滾紅塵!



Wang Feng gives a fair opinion to say that his interpretation of this song is actually an impressive take with the minzu daliangshan style. I am beginning to feel annoyed with Na Ying because she is constantly trying to put down other teams' contestants or portraying them negatively. It could really affect the media reps' choices as they might not want to be associated with supporting contestants that have been criticized indirectly by Na Ying.

Verdict:
51 media representatives: 29
350 audience members: 337

Su Li Sheng
Su Li Sheng has made countless of people teared during his past performances, but this time, he does not challenge yet another touching song. He sings a slightly more rock song 私奔, a very popular song featured in past VOC seasons, sung by Season 1 champion Liang Bo, and Season 3 Chen Zhi. He is not suited to such a rock song, especially under Na Ying. If Su Li Sheng was under the teaching of Wang Feng, it would definitely achieved a better overall effect.

Verdict:
51 media representatives: 30
350 audience members: 327
Jiang Dun Hao
Jiang Dun Hao reminds me of Zhang Lei with his guitar. Very steady, very beautifully performed a song of 傻瓜, which brings us back to the plains of Xinjiang. A thorough audio indulgence that is incredibly relaxing, a perfect merging of song and voice. Even when he normally speaks, his voice is so lovely to listen to - someone born to be a DJ of some sort.

Verdict:
51 media representatives: 33
350 audience members: 348

Low Key Duo


They are singing 夜空中最亮的星, a song that has a special place in my heart. Before they start, I was worried they were going to screw it up, because I actually knew spoilers that they didn't go through :( They bowed deeply to the audience to show their respect for the stage. And oh my god. Yang He Su begins - NO RAP. He is singing for the first time in this competition. Just like Zhang Xin Yue, actually he could do very well on his own too. Then Zhang Xin Yue comes in... gooooosebumps for the first time in this episode!!!



Of course, the rap comes in, and the SOPHISTICATION, wow! It was like they were singing a club song live, that power, that lyrics composed... I'm in awe. Yang He Su is not that strong at singing at the highest notes, but I am surprised the media reps don't like it, they get the third lowest score out of all 12 contestants of the night.

Verdict:
51 media representatives: 26
350 audience members: 322



Yang Mei Na
The opening for Yang Mei Na is more impressive than others, and her stage persona has significantly improved even than before. I didn't like her previous get-up with those huge goggles, but this time it's much more pleasing. She sings a song from her teacher - 春泥. Her voice reaches to the thickest and deepest parts, and sings it in a contemporary, 2016 way, metamorphosing from its early 2000s version powerfully. Her good score is well-deserved.

Verdict:
51 media representatives: 38
350 audience members: 311



Wang Chen Rui
This black horse has now spread her wings, from Cantopop to Mandopop, she has demonstrated she is a force to be reckoned with. She sings 你还要我怎样. Her singing is one of the few that managed to elicit goosebumps tonight, and it's very steadily and classicly well done, lovely to enjoy. Surprisingly, I find that one of the most endearing parts of her singing is her pronunciation of the words, so on-point and fulfills the OCD in me.
Verdict:
51 media representatives: 34
350 audience members: 308


OVERALL RESULTS!



Ranking according to media reps:
1. Xiang Yang
2. Wang Chen Rui
3. Xu Ge Yang
4. Li Pei Ling
5. Yang Mei Na
6. Liu Wen Tian
7. Jiang Dun Hao
8. Su Li Sheng
9. Ji Ke Hao
10. Low Key Duo 
11. Yu Tian

12. Zhao Xiao Xi

Ranking according to audience members:
1. Jiang Dun Hao
2. Xu Ge Yang
3. Ji Ke Hao
4. Xiang Yang
5. Wang Chen Rui
6. Su Li Sheng
7. Low Key Duo
8. Yang Mei Na
9. Liu Wen Tian
10. Li Pei Ling
11. Zhao Xiao Xi
12. Yu Tian


Overall ranking (# media reps / # audience members)
Keep checking back for updates of The Finale next weekend.