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Ego-Holic
2016 single by Starr Chen and Jolin Tsai From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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"Ego-Holic" (Chinese: 戀我癖) is a song by Taiwanese record producer Starr Chen and Taiwanese singer Jolin Tsai, included in Chen's debut studio album Welcome to the Next Level (2016). Written by David Ke and composed and produced by Chen, the track was released as a single on October 31, 2016, by Eternal.[1]
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Background and recording
Built on the concept of "loving every version of oneself", the song features Tsai singing in a vocal range designed to suit both male and female voices, with a soft, low-register delivery that underscores the theme of self-acceptance.[2] Chen minimized the use of synthesizer in the arrangement, opting instead for live instrumentation such as electric guitar to create a sense of space. The track was mixed by Mike Marsh, resulting in clear vocals and a wide sound field.[1]
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Artwork
The single cover was designed by Liao Chun-yu, who proposed the idea of doodling on Tsai's face. Tsai personally took part in the process, with the cover symbolizing that "ego-love" refers to one's inner self rather than mere outward appearance.[3] It was intended to encourage acceptance of individuality and authenticity. Tsai explained that each doodle stroke represented different facets of herself, such as a single eye, thick lips, or a beard, reflecting her inner world.[2]
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Reception
Tencent Entertainment described “Ego-Holic” as a track with house element that enhance its rhythm, decorated with electronic effects to make it sound light and fluid, producing what it called a "catchy" listening experience.[4]
Live performances
On December 3, 2016, Tsai performed the song at the 10th Migu Music Awards.[5]
Controversy
Summarize
Perspective
The music video, directed by Hsieh Yu-en, was released on October 31, 2016. The video depicted scenes of school bullying, in which several female students harass an overweight classmate. Because the actors wore uniforms resembling those of Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School, some students, teachers, and alumni of the school voiced dissatisfaction. They left comments on Tsai's, Chen's, and Hsieh's social media pages demanding a public apology and the removal of the video.[6] On November 6, 2016, the school issued an official statement of condemnation, and its teachers' association encouraged alumni to report the video on YouTube.[7] Others, however, defended the work, noting its well-meaning intent and arguing that the uniforms were not easily identifiable unless specifically pointed out.[8]
Director Hsieh Yu-en explained that the uniforms were designed only to create a sense of realism and were not intended to reference any specific school. He apologized for the discomfort caused and expressed willingness to clarify matters in person. Tsai's manager, Tom Wang, said he understood the public's reaction and had asked Chen's team to address the issue appropriately. Chen's manager, Kao Han-ling, emphasized that Tsai had not been involved in the video's concept or production, noting that she had recorded her vocals free of charge out of friendship and regretted the misunderstanding she faced.[9] Chen himself publicly apologized,[10] stating that creators should take responsibility for such controversies and stressing that a school's reputation should not rest solely on the recognizability of its uniforms.[11] He later added a mosaic blur to the contentious footage (00:29–01:08) and reuploaded the full video the same evening with an on-screen apology note.[12]
Several public figures expressed support for the work. Lee Mau-sheng, a law professor at National Taiwan University, argued that the controversy had reversed the roles of victim and perpetrator, and that neither the songwriter nor the performer should be scapegoated.[13] Designer Aaron Nieh remarked that bullying exists in all schools and that pressuring Tsai to apologize was itself a form of bullying.[14] Director Leo Liao criticized what he saw as an overreaction that restricts artistic freedom, warning that such attitudes could stifle creativity.[15] The online collective Let's Talk About the Truth similarly criticized the handling of the incident, likening it to censorship practices reminiscent of Taiwan's White Terror era.[16]
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Charts
Personnel
- AJ Chen – recording engineering
- Ziya Huang– mixing engineering
- Chung Wei-yu – guitar
- Mega Force Studio – recording studio
- Mike Marsh – mastering
Release history
References
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