Shang Wenjie

2.1. Childhood and education

From a young age, Shang Wenjie aspired to be a singer, though her father encouraged her to focus on academics and pursue higher education. After graduating from junior high school in 1998, she attended Jincai Middle School, where she excelled academically and graduated in 2001 with outstanding grades. She was subsequently admitted to Fudan University, majoring in French.

During her time at Fudan University, Shang was an active member of the school's literature and arts committee. In this role, she organized and participated in various singing competitions, performances, and screenplay adaptations, while also learning to play several musical instruments and honing her vocal skills. In 2002, she represented Fudan University at the National College Student French Song Contest held in Wuhan, where she secured second place. Her performance earned her a reward from the French Embassy in China: a round-trip ticket for a vacation in France.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Shang Wenjie demonstrated exceptional academic prowess, earning a national scholarship. She also showcased an early entrepreneurial spirit by founding the "Wenjie French-Chinese Language Training Service Center" and applying for the College Student Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Fund during her university years.

2.2. Early career

Shang Wenjie's professional experiences prior to her music career leveraged her strong linguistic skills. While still a student, she completed an internship at Western France. She also participated in the French film specials of the Shanghai International Film Festival, demonstrating her commitment to cultural exchange. In April 2005, she served as the main translator for the Film Festival.

After graduating from university in 2005, Shang Wenjie began working for a French company located in Xuhui district, Shanghai. Her linguistic proficiency, encompassing French, English, and Spanish, quickly led to her appointment as assistant to the managing director within just four months.

3.1. Super Girl win and debut

In the spring of 2006, Shang Wenjie embarked on her journey in the "Super Girl" competition. After initial unsuccessful attempts in Hangzhou and Chengdu, she secured second place in the Guangzhou regional competitions for Hunan Television's music show. This success propelled her to the national final held in Changsha. In an intense finale, Shang Wenjie emerged victorious, defeating favorite Tan Weiwei with a commanding 5.19 M votes. Following her win, she signed with Tianyu Entertainment, officially marking her professional debut as a singer.

3.2. International activities and collaborations

Shang Wenjie has been a significant figure in promoting international cultural exchange, particularly between China and France. In September 2009, when the romantic comedy If You Are The One premiered in France, her self-composed and sung song, "Quand Je Me Regarde," garnered over 4 M searches across Europe. This led to invitations for collaboration with prominent musicians, including French artist Laurent Voulzy and Belgian musician Jean-François Maljean.

In 2010, at the invitation of the Federal Government of Belgium, Shang performed for the King of Belgium at the Expo 2010 in Shanghai. Her collaborative song with Jean-François Maljean, "Our Song," was recognized as the best song at the Expo and recorded over 150 M downloads from the fair's official website. In October of the same year, she was invited by the Government of Canada to attend the 40th-anniversary celebrations of Sino-Canadian relations, where she met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss China-Canada relations.

On January 30, 2011, Shang participated in the Chinese New Year Gala in the United States, followed by appearances at the Five Continents Spring Festival Gala in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto, Canada. During the Spring Festival Gala in China, she performed the song "J'y Crois Encore" alongside Belgian-Canadian singer Lara Fabian. In September 2011, she composed the theme song "Amazing Life" for the One Young World Summit held in Zurich, Switzerland.

Her role as a cultural ambassador continued on April 25, 2013, when she attended the state banquet during French President François Hollande's visit to China, performing several French songs. On March 19, 2018, she participated in the opening ceremony of the Sino-French Film Week, where she was honored with the title of Honorary Ambassador for Sino-French Cultural Exchange. In September of that year, she performed at the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala in Sydney, singing "Trouble Is A Friend" with Australian singer Lenka.

Most recently, in the spring and summer of 2024, Shang Wenjie participated in the fifth season of the music show Ride The Wind. During this period, she performed "Reflection Of Life" with French singer Joyce Jonathan. On June 28, they jointly released the song "Let Light Meet Light," which features both Chinese and French lyrics and commemorates the 60th anniversary of Sino-French relations. Just weeks prior, on June 8, her French and English single "Let Love Spread" was also released.

3.3. Major music program appearances

Shang Wenjie has been a prominent fixture on various music competition shows and television programs. In January 2013, she appeared on the popular music show I Am A Singer. Later that year, in May, she served as a judge on the music show Super Boys, where she notably discovered the artist Hua Chenyu.

In April 2017, she took part in the fifth season of the music show Singer, performing alongside Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen. Between 2018 and 2022, she made four appearances on the music show Everlasting Classics. Her other notable appearances include the second season of Super Vocal in July 2019, and both The Treasured Voice and The Flash Band in March 2021. As part of her participation in Ride The Wind season five in 2024, she performed a diverse range of songs, including "Move Your Body," "Shouldn't," "Hot Winter," "Virtual," "Time Boils The Rain," "Heart Beating 808," "Reflection Of Life," "Wrapped Up Tight," "This Is Me," "Chandelier," and "Love."

3.4. Business and entrepreneurial activities

In 2013, Shang Wenjie expanded her career into entrepreneurship by co-founding her own music studio with her friend and business partner, Nie Xieyuan. This venture culminated in the establishment of BG Talent on April 24, 2014. The company focuses on discovering, nurturing, and developing talented young artists within China. Among the notable artists fostered by BG Talent are Li Geyang, Hou Minghao, Zeng Shunxi, Chen Jingke, Li Zhenning, Shi Mingze, Krystian Wang, and Dimash Qudaibergen. Her efforts through BG Talent highlight her commitment to the music industry's future by supporting new generations of performers.

3.5. Other activities and positions

Beyond her musical and entrepreneurial pursuits, Shang Wenjie has also held official capacities within cultural organizations. In April 2018, she was appointed as the head of the Literature and Arts Department of the China International Culture Exchange Center, further cementing her role in Chinese cultural diplomacy and promotion.

4.1. Albums and EPs

• (June 6, 2007) À la claire fontaine (梦之浮桥) (EP)
• (October 22, 2007) Beneath Van Gogh's Starry Sky (在梵高的星空下)
• (December 25, 2007) About Us (关于我们) *(Cover Album)*
• (October 10, 2009) Time Lady (时代女性)
• (November 18, 2010) Fashion Icon (全球风靡)
• (January 24, 2011) Nightmare (魔)
• (August 28, 2011) IN
• (August 22, 2012) Ode To The Doom (最後的讚歌)
• (November 7, 2013) Graceland (恩賜之地)
• (December 5, 2016) Black & Golden (黑金)
• (August 24, 2018) The Puzzle Pieces
• (August 24, 2020) Chanting Verses (咏) (EP)
• (August 31, 2023) Mind Uploading 0.1 (意識上傳中... 0.1：覺醒) (EP)
• (October 13, 2023) Mind Uploading 0.2 (意識上傳中... 0.2：虹荒) (EP)
• (December 27, 2023) Mind Uploading 0.3 (意識上傳中... 0.3：神游) (EP)

4.2. Other albums

• (December 21, 2010) Ma Puce *(Mini Remix Album)*
• (December 21, 2011) w in win *(Demo Album)*
• (July 20, 2012) Before The Doom *(Bonus EP)*
• (September 12, 2016) Black & Golden. Pure *(Instrumental Album)*
• (January 10, 2017) The Black Remix *(Remix Album)*
• (February 2017) The Golden Collection *(The Best of Album)*

4.3. Concerts

• (2008) Share (尚佳分享演唱会)
• (2009) Sound Of Nature (天籁倾城上海交响音乐会)
• (2009) iLady (三色艾雷迪巡回演唱会)
• (2012) Atypical L!ve (异类王国巴黎音乐会)

6.1. Positive assessment

Shang Wenjie has received considerable commendation for her musical talent, diverse career achievements, and her proactive role in cultural exchange. Her victory in "Super Girl" in 2006 launched her career, and she was subsequently honored as Best Female Singer at the MusicRadio China TOP Charts Awards in 2011. Her collaborative song "Our Song" with Jean-François Maljean was widely celebrated at the Expo 2010, demonstrating her ability to create globally appealing music. Her consistent efforts in fostering Sino-French cultural ties, including receiving the title of Honorary Ambassador for Sino-French Cultural Exchange, have been widely acknowledged. Furthermore, her entrepreneurial vision in establishing BG Talent has positively impacted the industry by discovering and developing a new generation of artists, such as Dimash Qudaibergen and Hou Minghao.

6.2. Criticism and controversy

Despite her successes, Shang Wenjie's career has faced some public scrutiny and controversy. In one instance, a notable dispute occurred between her and a well-known musician during the second season of the program Super Vocal, which led to an apology from the show's production team. Additionally, her presence on some music shows, such as The Flash Band, has reportedly been met with mixed reception, prompting discussions on why she might not be as universally welcomed in certain contexts, suggesting that her unique artistic choices or public image occasionally invite debate. One media outlet noted that she is "not afraid of controversy but lack of topic," suggesting she embraces artistic freedom that may not always align with public expectations.

6.3. Cultural impact

Shang Wenjie's influence extends across various facets of popular culture, primarily through her distinct musical style and her trailblazing career trajectory. She has been credited with pushing boundaries within Mandopop, incorporating elements of dance, French pop, and EDM, thereby diversifying the mainstream music landscape in China. Her image as a "Fashion Icon" also reflects her impact on trends beyond music. Through her numerous international engagements and roles as a cultural ambassador, she has played a significant part in bridging cultural divides through music, notably strengthening Sino-French relations. Her transformation into a "star-making expert" through BG Talent further solidifies her lasting impact on the industry, as she actively shapes the careers of new artists.