Last Thursday, Malaysian pop singer Jasmine Leong, known to fans as Fish Leong, released 128 balloons outside the Shanghai Grand Stadium.

Inside the balloons are 99 tickets for couples to attend Leong's "Today is Valentine's Day" concert on December 8.

"Although the concert won't be on the Valentine's Day this year, I want to tell my fans that everyday could be Valentine's, when you have the right person next to you," Leong explains.

Leong debuted in 1999 with the year's hit song "Courage," about courage in love and especially in forbidden relationships.

Immediately rising to stardom with the song, her girl-next-door appearance, together with her soft voice and warm attitude towards her fans, staff and media, also won her many admirers.

Since then, Leong has continued to sing love songs about the different stages of relationships, from first love in "Quiet Summer" to life after a breakup in "Happy Breakup." Many of these songs regularly top the most sung lists in karaokes.

"Fish's songs all tell stories of our everyday life. We all experience happiness, sadness, sweet moments and desperate feelings. I love singing her songs in karaoke. It's like singing about my own life," notes Monica Liu in grade 12 and a typical Fish fan.

Considered the Queen of Love Songs, Leong also features romance in her concerts.

Last year's Shanghai concert was on Valentine's Day and featured a merry-go-around on the stage.

The concert succeeded in creating a romantic ambience that matched her repertoire of love songs.

A fan even leapt on stage to propose to her.

"I will present an even more romantic stage this year," the songstress promises.

This time, the diva of sweet love songs plans to recreate five romantic sights on the stage, including the Eiffel Tower.

She also plans to fill the stage with bright colors to indicate the joy of relationships and the hope "that happiness can be shared."

In return, local fans suggested the project, titled "Red Ocean," employed red throughout the venue, because "that's the theme color of Fish's new album 'J'adore' and the color of passion."

Carrying on her reputation for love songs in "J'adore," Leong's ninth studio album, Leong has adopted a sexy and individualistic new look, especially compared to the naive imagery of her past albums. The songs also convey more mature relationship problems.

"I grew up and my fans grew up. We ponder upon different things now compared to nine years ago," notes Leong. "Many fans say that my songs give them courage, so all I can do is try even harder to make my songs encouragement for them."

The concert also includes an acoustic session in which Leong will sing three of her all-time favorite songs from other singers.

Date: December 8, 7:30 pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Stage, 1111 Caoxi Road N.
Tel: 3218-0120, 962-288
Tickets: 99 yuan (US$13.33) - 1299 yuan

(Shanghai Daily November 22, 2007)