Heroes of Remix (), or simply The Remix, is a Chinese sing and dance reality television competition on Jiangsu Television. The show first aired on June 19, 2016, and it is hosted by Li Hao (李好). The mentors of the show include Psy, Leehom Wang, Harlem Yu, and Phoenix Legend.
Overview The series is based on a similar competition format in Vietnam with the same name. Different from the past variety shows in China, the show features Electronic Dance Music (EDM) marking China's first-ever variety show featuring the music genre.
With the introduction of EDM in the western world, the show hopes to extend its possibilities of electronic music-making in China. According to People's Daily'''s music producer Liu Zhou (刘洲), "In China, the development of EDM somewhat lags behind, and we are not able to keep up with industry trends. If everyone else is making electronic music but we are not, we will stay behind." In this sense, Heroes of Remix aims to introduce the real meaning of EDM to its viewers, particularly to the Chinese people.
In contrast to the popular belief that EDM is all about being 'fast-tempo nightclub tunes' only, the show would bring about the 'true essence of electronic music' in the context of Chinese music. However, since EDM is defined as "...one of the most transportable" by Forbes Magazine, not only will the performers bring elements of Chinese traditional culture into the remixes of their songs but they are also welcome to incorporate other traditional cultures from other countries. In this way, they would be producing new and creative remixes of their songs.
FormatHeroes of Remix highlights the performers' and mentors' talents in producing Chinese EDM music. Performers (bands or soloists) would perform their own rendition to their song choice under the guidance of their mentors. They are welcome to interpret and remix the songs in any way possible. Audience would then vote for their winning group/soloist by the end of each show.
Development In April 2016, Chinese-American singer-songwriter Leehom Wang was confirmed to join Heroes of Remix'' together with South Korean singer-songwriter and rapper Psy. The two already met once during the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong. On May 12, the variety show held a press conference in Zhuhai. It was reported that the show would provide virtual reality (VR) content and production. Star Media CEO Tian Ming said that VR content would allow viewers to fully experience the backstage activities in their perspective and be able to interact with the artists/performers, which is different from traditional television. Five days after, it was announced that the variety show was set to air in June on Jiangsu TV. By then, Chinese music duo Yangwei Linghua and Zeng Yi, and Chinese singer-songwriter Harlem Yu have been announced as mentors already.
Mentors and performers
+Mentors and their respective teams in Heroes of Remix Mentor Team membersLeehom WangJoyce Chu Summer (吉克隽逸) William Wei Li Qi (李琦)PsyiKon SNH48 G.E.M. (邓紫棋)Harlem YuWu Mochou Liu Meilin (刘美麟) VIXX Zhang Wei (张玮)Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy Monsta X VC组合 Wowkie Zhang (大张伟)
Episode overview Color key Winner of the week Runner-up of the week
Episode 1 (June 19) On its first episode, two of the mentors performed an opening number. Leehom Wang sang "蓋世英雄" ("Gai Shi Ying Xiong") first, then followed by Psy singing "Daddy" and "Gangnam Style". After their performance, four mentors were introduced and the performances commenced.
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original ArtistRemixer1Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"十面埋伏"S.H.E2Harlem YuWu Mochou"快乐组曲"Harlem Yu3PsySNH48"The Moon Represents My Heart"Teresa TengPsy4Leehom WangJoyce Chu"I Miss U"Joyce ChuCazzette5Phoenix LegendMonsta X"Love" (爱)/"Moves like Jagger"Xiao Hu Dui/Maroon 5Punchsound6Harlem YuLiu Meilin"Secret Fragrance" (暗香)Sha Baoliang7PsyiKon"Beijing Beijing"Wang FengPsy8Leehom WangSummer"蜕化"Summer
Episode 2 (July 3) Phoenix Legend's Danny Lee and Ivy were the first ones to perform this week again. Last week's winner, iKon then performed second with only three members. Wang's Summer, who performed last, received the highest number of votes by the end of the show.
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original ArtistRemixer1Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"Kiss"/"Messy Hair" (头发乱了)Prince/Jacky Cheung2PsyiKon"A Better Tomorrow" (奔向未来的日子)Leslie CheungPsy3Leehom WangJoyce Chu"Look Over Here, Girl" (對面的女孩看過來)Richie Jen4Harlem YuVIXX"Xi Shua Shua" (嘻唰唰)The FlowersMelodesign5PsyG.E.M."Like You" (喜欢你)G.E.M.6Harlem YuWu Mochou"Bad Boy"A-mei7Phoenix LegendVC组合"魅影流声"Kaka8Leehom WangSummer"Still Loving You" (依然爱你)Leehom WangTrouze
Episode 3 (July 10) This week marks the first time the audience would vote twice: one for the first half of the show and another for the second half. Last week's winner, Summer, performed first this week. William Wei, who performed for the first time, performed with his mentor, Leehom Wang. Meanwhile, iKon received their second win for their "Rhythm Ta"/"Master Zhou" performance.
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original ArtistRemixer1Leehom WangSummer"Jai Ho"The Pussycat Dolls2PsyG.E.M."Rose, Rose I Love You" (玫瑰玫瑰我爱你)/"Eyes, Nose, Lips"Yao Lee/Taeyang3Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"Let Me Go Wild On Snow" (快让我在这雪地上撒点野)Cui Jian4Harlem YuWu Mochu"五环之歌"MC HotDog5Harlem YuVIXX"Wolf" (狼)6Phoenix LegendMonsta X"男儿当自强"George LamDJ Tak7Leehom WangWilliam Wei"Jiangnan" (江南)JJ Lin8PsyiKon"Rhythm Ta"/"Master Zhou" (周大侠)iKon/Jay ChouPsy
Episode 4 (July 17) Last week's winner, iKon, opened the competition. On the other hand, Liu Meilin was asked to repeat her performance due to some unfortunate circumstances.
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original Artist1PsyiKon"Friend"Wakin Chau2Phoenix LegendMonsta X"In That Distance Place" (快乐组曲)Tong Li3Leehom WangSummer"我等的花儿都谢了"Jacky Cheung4Harlem YuLiu Meilin "36 Tricks of Love" (爱情三十六计)Jolin Tsai5Leehom WangWilliam Wei"Tsunami" (海啸)6Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"Why Are The Flowers So Red" (花儿为什么这样红)刀郎7PsyG.E.M."The Brightest Star in the Night Sky" (夜空中最亮的星)Escape Plan8Harlem YuVIXX"Enraptured" (眉飞色舞)/"独一无二"Sammi Cheng
Episode 5 (July 24) Last week's winner VIXX was the first one to perform this week, while Wowkie Zhang debuted in the show. Also, iKon won for the third time after performing Park Jin-Young's "Honey" and dancing to the tune of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original Artist1Harlem YuVIXX"Those Years" (那些年)Hu Xia2Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"Ghost" (鬼)3PsyiKon"Honey"/"Billie Jean" inst.Park Jin-young/Michael Jackson4Leehom WangWilliam Wei"Freedom" (自由)Tong Li5PsySNH48"Little Apple" (小苹果)/"Gentleman" inst.Chopstick Brothers/Psy6Phoenix LegendWowkie Zhang"Lake Road Children" (葫芦娃)7Harlem YuLiu Meilin"山歌好比春江水"刘三姐8Leehom WangSummer"Fool" (傻瓜)Landy Wen
Episode 6 (July 31) Three-time winner iKon opened the show with David Tao's "Love is Very Simple". On the other hand, Liu Meilin received her first win.
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original Artist1PsyiKon"Love is Very Simple" (爱很简单)David Tao2Phoenix LegendVC组合"Fragrance of Roses" (玫瑰香)Sandy Lam3Leehom WangSummer"Light" (光)Rocket Girls4Harlem YuVIXX"Fated" (命中注定)Harlem Yu5Phoenix LegendWowkie Zhang"Love is Like Tidal Wave" (爱如潮水)Jeff Chang6Harlem YuLiu Meilin"Katyusha" (喀秋莎)Russian folk song7PsySNH48"So Cheerful" (倍儿爽)/"Gangnam Style"Wowkie Zhang/Psy8Leehom WangJoyce Chu"Dark Sky" (天黑黑)Stefanie Sun
Episode 7 (August 7) South Korean group iKon was the first one to perform for the second consecutive time. However, they lost to first-time winners Danny Lee and Ivy.
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original Artist1PsyiKon"Kiss Goodbye"Leehom Wang2Leehom WangJoyce Chu"雨中即景"Liu Wen-cheng3Harlem YuLiu Meilin"Sky" (天空)Faye Wong4Phoenix LegendMonsta X"Meteor Rain" (流星雨)/"我的未来不是梦"F4/Chang Yu-sheng5Harlem YuWu Mochou"I Can't Have Your Love" (得不到你的愛情)Yao Lee6Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"Orchids" (兰花草)Timi Zhuo7PsySNH48"You Exist In My Song" (我的歌声里)Wanting Qu8Leehom WangSummer"Dawn" (晨曦)
Episode 8 (August 14) After his two weeks of absence, Wang's William Wei was the first one to perform. Also from team Wang, Li Qi, who performed for the first time, ended this week's competition.
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original Artist1Leehom WangWilliam Wei"Only One" (唯一)Leehom Wang2Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"I Miss You" (我好想你)/"Empire State of Mind"Sodagreen/Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys3Harlem YuVIXX"Chained Up"/"Thank You For Your Love" (谢谢你的爱)VIXX/Nicholas Tse4PsyiKon"Exist" (存在)Wang Feng5Phoenix LegendWowkie Zhang"北京小妞" / "新长征路上的摇滚"Zheng Yajie/Cui Jian6PsySNH48"Up & Down"/"Superstar"EXID/S.H.E7Harlem YuLiu Meilin"Late Autumn" (秋意浓)Jacky Cheung8Leehom WangLi Qi"Cliff" (悬崖)Fifi Wong
Episode 9 (August 21) In this episode, a number of performers were not present, particularly the South Korean acts. Psy's appearance was notably blurred out as well. However, three new artists performed for the first time including Queen T, Zhang Wei, and girl group MG女团. There were only seven performances all in all.
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original Artist1Queen T"不见不散"/"Every Breath You Take"李汉颖/The Police2Harlem YuLiu Meilin"沧海一声笑"Samuel Hui3Leehom WangWilliam Wei"Tenderness" (溫柔)Mayday4Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"PLAY 我呸"/"Bad Girls"Jolin Tsai/M.I.A.5Harlem YuZhang Wei"The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)"Ylvis6Leehom WangLi Qi"我的天空"/"Just a Dream"NZBZ (南征北戰)/Nelly7MG女团"Legend" (传奇)Faye Wong
Episode 10 (August 28) Seven artists performed this week. By the end of the performances, Wang received his third win as a mentor.
Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original Artist1Leehom WangLi Qi"Ten Years" (十年)Eason Chan2Phoenix LegendVC组合"Did You Ever Loved Me" (是否爱过我)Sun Nan3Harlem YuLiu Meilin"The Most Dazzling Folk Style" (最炫民族风)Phoenix Legend4Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"Ninja" (忍者)Jay Chou5Queen T"Nunchucks" (双截棍)Jay Chou6Harlem YuZhang Wei"Lift Up Your Veil" (掀起你的盖头来)Uyghur traditional song7Leehom WangWilliam Wei"Goodbye Kiss" (吻别)Jacky Cheung
Golden Music Festival (September 4) Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original Artist1Leehom WangWilliam Wei"Goodbye Kiss" (吻别)Jacky Cheung2Leehom WangSummer"Still Loving You" (依然爱你)Leehom Wang3Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"Orchids" (兰花草)Timi Zhuo4Harlem YuLiu Meilin"Katyusha" (喀秋莎)Russian folk song5Phoenix LegendWowkie Zhang"人间精品起来嗨"Various Artists6Leehom WangLi Qi"我的天空"/"Just a Dream"NZBZ (南征北戰)/Nelly
Opening medley Order Mentor Artist/Group Song Choice Title Original Artist1Phoenix LegendVC组合"Silent" (默)Na Ying2MG女团"Pass Me The Mic" (我的麦克风)/"Fire" (火)Will Pan/A-mei3Leehom WangLiu Meilin"Hidden Fragrance" (暗香)Sha Baoliang4Phoenix LegendDanny Lee and Ivy"十面埋伏"S.H.E5Phoenix LegendWowkie Zhang"Lake Road Children" (葫芦娃)
Results The table below shows the number of times contestants win per week: Contestant Mentor Record Set Weeks Won Win Runner-upiKon Psy 3 1 Week 1; Week 3; Week 5Summer Leehom Wang 1 2 Week 2VIXX Harlem Yu 1 1 Week 4Liu Meilin Harlem Yu 1 – Week 6Danny Lee and Ivy Phoenix Legend 1 – Week 7Wowkie Zhang Phoenix Legend 1 1 Week 8Li Qi Leehom Wang 1 – Week 9William Wei Leehom Wang 1 – Week 10
Controversies In the ninth episode, August 21, a number of performers were not present, particularly performers from South Korea. Psy's appearance was blurred out while he was also removed from the program's official website. The ongoing Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) issue wherein Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed concerns against the deployment of THAAD in South Korea that could jeopardize China's "legitimate national security interest" may be the reason.
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