From high Cs to house keys … and back

Many viewers observed that her comeback was marked not merely by impressive vocal technique, but by a newfound emotional depth and nuanced expressiveness in her performance.

She credits this evolution to the insights gained during her time as a real estate agent.

She has also become more willing to share her life on social media, such as by posting comedic short videos and clips of herself practicing singing.

Last year, she relocated once more, making Shanghai her new home.

While her address has changed over the years, her outlook remains steady: "Wherever my heart feels at ease, that is where I belong.

"I consider myself fortunate to have grown up in Malaysia," says Lee, who is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and Hokkien.

"It was an environment rich with diverse cultures, and that shaped who I am. Being deeply rooted in Chinese culture from childhood has also allowed me to relate to people naturally, no matter where I go on the Chinese mainland."

Today, performance invitations continue to pour in.

"I've received so much love and support," she says.

"Though life has been busy lately, I'm genuinely happy, and I hope to pass on this energy to more people to encourage everyone to embrace all that life brings."

When asked if there's a lyric that captures her current state of mind, she picks a line from her single Life's Beautiful, released in 2024:

"Every road I've roamed counts."

Sometimes, the detour is the way.

Xue Jingqi contributed to this story.