Sing to the World: Shanghai youngsters translate Chinese pop songs into English

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Music is a universal language for many, and now, a small group of university students in Shanghai are taking this to a new level. They have translated nearly 100 Chinese pop songs into English, and posted their versions on the Internet. Their work has attracted a rising number of followers from around the world. But this requires more than just passion and creativity. CGTN's Han Peng takes a look.

"I wanna be right by your side Like the shadows follow the light I'm willing to stay at this site."

ZHOU YUE, STUDENT SHANGHAI INT'L STUDIES UNIVERSITY "At first you should listen to the song again and again. You need to be really familiar with the melody so that you can match the lyrics into the melody."

"I think it's a step forward to let more foreigners know Chinese songs."

This interlude from a romantic Chinese TV series has captured many young hearts across China.

And this group of music AND English lovers enjoy a pastime not everyone can — singing their favorite lyrics in a different language.

LU JIAYI, STUDENT SHANGHAI INT'L STUDIES UNIVERSITY "Sometimes we have to scratch our head or search on the Internet to use many different ways to come up with the right words."

PAN JIANGHAO, NEW GRADUATE SHANGHAI INT'L STUDIES UNIVERSITY "We should rhyme to let our English version of the lyrics rhyme like the Chinese poems."

Pan Jianghao founded Melody C2E, this 70-member student association, at the prestigious Shanghai International Studies University three years ago.

One of his earliest translated works was a song from a Chinese road movie. The inspiration came to him when he was climbing a remote mountain.

"I once conquered mountains, rode waves. Also saw a million faces. I owned everything one day."

PAN JIANGHAO, NEW GRADUATE SHANGHAI INT'L STUDIES UNIVERSITY "Something struck me. And I came up with the line 'I once conquered mountains and road waves because I felt some strength, something miraculous on the top of the mountain'. So I got on with it and finished it within two hours."

HAN PENG SHANGHAI "This song is immensely popular especially on China's most downloaded app Tik Tok. People usually use it as background music when they post their new tourist experiences."

These young talents have published a total of 97 translated songs in three years. They now have nearly half a million online followers.

PAN JIANGHAO, NEW GRADUATE SHANGHAI INT'L STUDIES UNIVERSITY "I actually consulted with an intellectual property lawyer about what we are doing. As long as we keep it pure, educational and non-profit, we are safe."

With both inspirations and skills, China's future diplomats hope to bridge cultures in their way.

Han Peng, CGTN, Shanghai.