Peking University, May 23, 2015: When I told my fellow graduate student friends I would go to watch the PKU Idol Final this year, they said, “That’s the young people’s game. We have lived on this campus for seven years; we are too ‘old’ to go to the show.” And indeed, most of the audience is composed of undergraduates; not many graduate students are willing to spend one morning queuing up for tickets. I carried kind of that “old man’s” attitude when I entered Khoo Teck Puat Gymnasium, preparing to watch the show quietly; but soon I found out I was wrong – PKU Idol has its magic, magic that makes people young again.
The noise filled the stadium, lights spraying colors over the audience, excitement hanging in the air. Everyone’s passions were ignited when Buyi Band (布衣乐队) began to rock the stadium. The crowd cried out and applauded loudly, embracing the show wholeheartedly. Their enthusiasm was infectious; I picked up the glow sticks waved along with them, indulging myself in the music.
“The show is so stunning! It is worth queueing for hours for the tickets.” said Cai Yushi, a freshman from the PKU Health Science Center. “Many songs tonight depict our school lives and I really love them.” Original songs were one highlight of the night. Over one third of the songs were written by the contestants. These songs expressed the dreams of our youth and young love. They found echoes in the hearts of many of the audience.
“The song To River (写给河) reminds me of the girl I loved,” said Shi Tianjia from the School of Economics. “But I am not as talented as [songwriter] Zhang Siyuan and I don’t have a good voice either.” To River is a song written by Zhang Siyuan for a girl he loved for two years. When he sang “I just can’t stop myself from loving you”, the lyrics touched everyone’s hearts.
The show evoked some of my memories too. ShuiMu NianHua, a famous band in China, was invited to perform, and thousands of fans sang along with them. One of the songs sung, QiCheng (启程，Set out on the Journey)，was the opening song for the PKU graduation ceremony in 2012. The ceremony was also held at Khoo Teck Puat Gymnasium and I was one of the graduates. That song brought yesterday back. “No matter what happens in the future, please remember this song; remember we will never give up our dreams.”
“The students are shining on the stage, I feel their energy.” Brainor, graduate student from the School of Physics, commented. “Although I may not have the chance to sing on the stage, there are so many opportunities in life, I will fight hard before I get old.”
Yes, “Fight hard before we get old.” We will never be too old for our aspirations. Next year I will definitely invite my young PhD friends to watch PKU Idol, perhaps we will participate in the competition too! Life is full of opportunities. Who knows?
Reported by: LI Yike
Edited by: XU Karen
