Martians love this planet

Esther Lau, a Malaysian fan in her 50s, recalls dressing as Luffy from one of Hua's favorite anime works, One Piece, at the tour's stop in Wuhan, Hubei province.

"Imagine someone my age in full cosplay, excitedly wandering the venue, taking photos with strangers," she says.

She calls it a joyful "madness", a feeling of release she never knew before.

A fan since 2018, Lau has traveled across China to attend Hua's concerts — from South China's Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province to that unforgettable sunrise in East China's Yantai.

"It was my first time watching the sunrise. To experience it with an artist I admire, surrounded by thousands who feel the same connection …when the sun rose, I was completely overwhelmed," she recalls.

"I couldn't hold back my tears."

For Lau, the experience of sharing those collective moments with her fellow "Martians" and listening to Hua's healing songs has made her a more positive person.

"I used to be someone who hid in the corner," she says.

"Because of him, I've come out of my shell. Now I approach people and care about those around me."

This personal shift in Lau mirrors a broader evolution in Hua, one that has seen him grow from an artist immersed in his own world and sonic experimentation into a musician who reaches outward, connects with others, and believes in music's power to heal.