A Night of Triumphs: Jolin Tsai and Chang Chen-yue Dominate the 37th Golden Melody Awards

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – The Taipei Arena was transformed into a beacon of cultural celebration on Saturday night as the 37th Golden Melody Awards (GMA)—widely regarded as the "Grammys of the Mandarin-speaking world"—concluded with a ceremony that balanced legacy with cutting-edge innovation. In a night defined by emotional speeches and high-octane performances, pop icon Jolin Tsai and singer-songwriter Chang Chen-yue emerged as the evening’s biggest victors, reinforcing their positions as pillars of the Asian music industry.

The 37th edition of the awards served as a poignant reminder of Taiwan’s unique role as a democratic hub for artistic expression, showcasing a diverse array of talent across Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hakka, and Indigenous languages.

I. Main Facts: The Night the Stars Aligned

The 37th Golden Melody Awards was characterized by a "return to the fundamentals" of musicality, where production quality and lyrical depth took center stage. The evening’s most prestigious accolade, Album of the Year, was awarded to Jolin Tsai for her critically acclaimed work, Pleasure. Released under Warner Music Taiwan, the album has been hailed by critics as a masterclass in modern pop production, blending intricate vocal arrangements with a narrative of self-actualization.

Tsai’s victory was a "double crown" moment, as she had earlier secured the trophy for Best Mandarin Female Singer. This win marks a significant milestone in her three-decade-long career, proving her ability to evolve alongside a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Equally dominant was Chang Chen-yue, whose album Walk with Feelings (Rock Records) resonated deeply with the jury. Chang swept the major male categories, taking home Best Mandarin Male Singer, Best Mandarin Album, and Best Composer. His success highlights a growing trend within the GMA jury to reward "organic" sounds—music that prioritizes emotional honesty and traditional instrumentation over synthesized trends.

Other major highlights included:

Song of the Year: “Singing with Happiness” (Happy Version) from the film The Sunshine Girls Choir, performed by A-Lin.
Best Musical Group: Indie sensations Sunset Rollercoaster, whose win signaled the continued "indie-to-mainstream" pipeline in the Taiwanese scene.
Best Newcomer: Chen Xianjing, whose debut album Who Wants to be Sad if Every Day Could be Happy Happy was lauded for its fresh, genre-bending approach.

II. Chronology: The Pulse of the Ceremony

The event began late Saturday afternoon with the traditional "Red Carpet" walk, where fashion met music. Industry veterans rubbed shoulders with rising TikTok stars and indie rockers, setting the stage for a ceremony that sought to bridge generational divides.

The Opening Act and Early Surprises

The ceremony officially kicked off at 7:00 PM local time with a high-energy medley that paid tribute to the history of the Golden Melody Awards. The early hours of the broadcast focused on technical and linguistic categories. The Hakka and Indigenous language awards were presented early, with Suming Rupi delivering a stirring speech upon winning Best Indigenous Language Singer for Mikerid Guiding the Way. He emphasized the role of music in preserving cultural identity, a recurring theme of the night.

The Mid-Show Pivot: Craft and Composition

By mid-evening, the focus shifted to the "craft" behind the music. Chang Chen-yue’s dominance began here, as he accepted the Best Composer award. The atmosphere in the arena shifted from celebratory to reverent when the Special Contribution Awards were presented. The late Tu Ying and the legendary Lin Huang-kun were honored for their decades of service to the industry, with a moving video tribute that brought many in the audience to tears.

The Climax: The "Big Four" Awards

The final hour saw the presentation of the most anticipated categories. The tension peaked during the announcement of Best Mandarin Female Singer. When Jolin Tsai’s name was called, the arena erupted in a standing ovation. This was followed by the final award of the night, Album of the Year, where Tsai’s Pleasure beat out a highly competitive field of nominees, cementing the night as a historic win for the pop titan.

III. Supporting Data: A Deep Dive into the Categories

The 37th GMA winners’ list reflects a deliberate effort by the Ministry of Culture and the GMA Jury to represent the full spectrum of the music industry.

The Power of the Major Labels

While indie music has seen a surge, major labels like Warner Music Taiwan and Rock Records proved they still possess the resources to produce "prestige" pop. Warner Music Taiwan, in particular, had a stellar night, securing wins for Jolin Tsai, Ricky Hsiao, and technical awards for recording.

Linguistic Diversity in Numbers

The Golden Melody Awards remain one of the few major international music ceremonies that provide equal weight to regional languages:

Taiwanese (Hokkien): Ricky Hsiao’s Be a Kind and Soft-Hearted Person won both Best Taiwanese Album and Best Taiwanese Male Singer, proving the enduring popularity of Hokkien ballads.
Hakka: Huang Yu-han and Sarah Chen Yi-nuo shared the spotlight, with the former winning Best Hakka Album for Ngai.
Indigenous Languages: Outlet Drift and Suming Rupi represented the vibrant sounds of Taiwan’s first peoples, winning the album and singer categories, respectively.

Technical Prowess

The technical awards underscored the high production standards of the Taiwanese industry. Jolin Tsai’s Pleasure took home Best Vocal Recording Album, while the visual identity of the music was celebrated via the Best Album Art Direction win for Sax Tape (Sunset Music Industry).

IV. Official Responses: Voices from the Podium

The acceptance speeches provided a window into the current mindset of the Mandopop industry—one of gratitude, resilience, and a commitment to artistic integrity.

Jolin Tsai was visibly moved during her acceptance of the Album of the Year award. "I want to thank the fans who have grown up with me," she stated. "This album was about finding ‘pleasure’ in the process of creation, not just the result. In a world that moves so fast, I wanted to create something that felt grounded and real."

Chang Chen-yue, known for his laid-back persona, offered a humble reflection on his triple-win. "I’ve always just made music that feels right to me," he told the press backstage. "To have Walk with Feelings recognized in this way tells me that people are still looking for a human connection in their songs. I share this with every songwriter who is still struggling to find their voice."

The Jury Award, given to Chen Xiao-xia for the album Old Wings, was accompanied by a statement from the Jury Chairperson. The jury noted that Chen’s work "transcends contemporary trends, offering a timeless reflection on life and aging that serves as a lighthouse for younger artists."

V. Implications: The Future of the Mandarin Music Industry

The results of the 37th Golden Melody Awards carry significant implications for the future of the global music market, particularly in the Sinosphere.

1. The "Indie-Mainstream" Convergence

The win for Sunset Rollercoaster in the Best Musical Group category is a watershed moment. It signifies that "indie" is no longer a niche subculture but a viable commercial force. As streaming platforms equalize the playing field, the GMA is increasingly recognizing artists who built their following through international touring and digital word-of-mouth rather than traditional television promotion.

2. Longevity vs. Viral Hits

In an era of "viral" TikTok snippets, the GMA jury’s decision to shower Jolin Tsai and Chang Chen-yue with awards suggests a desire to protect the concept of the "Album." By rewarding cohesive bodies of work over individual singles, the GMA is asserting its role as a guardian of musical depth.

3. Cultural Diplomacy and Soft Power

The inclusion and celebration of Hakka and Indigenous languages reinforce Taiwan’s position as a cultural leader in Asia. By providing a platform where these languages are treated with the same prestige as Mandarin, the GMAs serve as a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy, showcasing a pluralistic and inclusive society to the rest of the world.

4. The Rise of the Next Generation

While the veterans won the big prizes, the success of Genblue (Best Vocal Group) and Chen Xianjing (Best Newcomer) indicates that the industry’s pipeline is healthy. The "Mirror" project by Genblue, in particular, shows that the "idol" format is evolving to include higher levels of vocal talent and artistic input.

As the lights dimmed on the Taipei Arena, the 37th Golden Melody Awards left the industry with a clear message: while technology and trends may change, the power of a well-crafted song and a sincere performance remains the ultimate currency of the Mandarin pop world.

37TH GOLDEN MELODY AWARDS – FULL WINNERS LIST

VOCAL CATEGORY

Album of the Year: “Pleasure” – Warner Music Taiwan (Jolin Tsai)
Song of the Year: “Singing with Happiness” (Happy Version, theme from “The Sunshine Girls Choir”) – (A-Lin)
Best Mandarin Album: “Walk with Feelings” – Rock Records (Chang Chen-yue)
Best Taiwanese Album: “Be a Kind and Soft-Hearted Person” – Warner Music Taiwan (Ricky Hsiao)
Best Hakka Album: “Ngai” – Yulang Chuangle (Huang Yu-han)
Best Indigenous Language Album: “Masonolay i Cepo’” – Wind Music (Outlet Drift)
Best Composer: Chang Chen-yue – “Drifter’s…” from “Walk with Feelings”
Best Lyricist: Xiao Han – “Chéngren zhī Měi” (Peng Jiahui)
Best Arranger: Jude and Chui Chin-hung – “Leaving the Silver Wilderness”
Best Album Producer: Chang Shilei – “Chūn Měimei” (Dan Yichun)
Best Single Producer: ØZI and The Crane – “Final Final Final”
Best Mandarin Male Singer: Chang Chen-yue – “Walk with Feelings”
Best Mandarin Female Singer: Jolin Tsai – “Pleasure”
Best Taiwanese Male Singer: Ricky Hsiao – “Be a Kind and Soft-Hearted Person”
Best Taiwanese Female Singer: PiA Wu Bei-ya – “First Experience of Divorce”
Best Hakka Singer: Sarah Chen Yi-nuo – “Slow Flower Journal”
Best Indigenous Language Singer: Suming Rupi – “Mikerid Guiding the Way”
Best Musical Group: Sunset Rollercoaster – “Quit Quietly”
Best Vocal Group: GENBLUE – “Mirror”
Best Newcomer: Chen Xianjing – “Who Wants to be Sad if Every Day Could be Happy Happy”

INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY

Best Instrumental Album: “Over the Moons” – Su Yuhan
Best Instrumental Album Producer: Huang Ruifeng and Wu Zhengjun – “Legend: Double Strike”
Best Instrumental Composer: Su Yuhan – “Pieces Peace”

TECHNICAL CATEGORY

Best Album Art Direction: Wu Jianlong, Yali Sanxiao, Tsai Weichun – “Sax Tape”
Best Vocal Recording Album: “Pleasure” – Warner Music Taiwan
Best Instrumental Recording Album: “I Am Here” – Warner Music Taiwan
Best Music Video: “Dumplings” – Dir. Lin Hongrui