Jessie Chung

Early Years

Jessie Chung, a descendant of the Hakka lineage from Dapu, Guangzhou, was born in Kuching, Malaysia. She is the second child in her family, with one elder sister, three younger sisters and one younger brother. Chung grew up with a musical background and passed grade 8 organ at a young age. As a child and teenager, she participated extensively in singing competitions. She wanted to pursue a fulltime musical career after graduating from high school, but in the end she chose to focus on her studies. After graduating from university, Chung joined the medical and healthcare industry and founded Natural Health Farm.

2006–2011: Debut as female singer

In 2006, Chung released her debut album as a female singer, Loving You with Symphony Musical House. The album was produced by Deng Zhi Zhang and contains 10 original tracks.

In 2007, Jessie Chung began authoring and published her first book, Jessie Diary. The latest book in the series is Jessie Diary 7: A Starry Sky.

In 2009, Chung released Message of Love from the Moon through Symphony Musical House.

In 2011, Chung released I Just Fall in Love Again through Symphony Musical House.

2012–2014: Love in You and acting

In 2012, Chung invited Jet Yi and Wu Guan Yan to produce her album. They wrote ten songs and five song lyrics, while Chung herself wrote the lyrics for the other five. In November 30, 2012, Chung abandoned $33 million USD of inheritance and released Love in You in Taiwan. Her husband appeared to show his support. The album topped Ai FM’s Chart in Malaysia, occupying the number one spot for two consecutive weeks. The eponymous single “Love in You” was chosen as the theme song and ending theme for Fox Networks Group’s Korean drama Secret Garden.

Chung held her first concert in Taipei, the Love in You Concert on December 21, 2012. Her ex-fiancé flew from the U.S. while her mother-in-law flew from Malaysia to attend the concert.

In 2013, Chung starred as lead actress in the Griffin Group production Faces, playing Li Yu and Yuan Yuan, the main character. Jackie Lui starred as the lead actor, while supporting actors include Liu Hua, Law Kar-ying, and Cheng Pei-pei.

Chung was inducted into the Chinese Who’s Who Society in 2013.

Near the end of 2013, Chung starred in Unchanging Love, a film production organized by the students of One World Hanxing College of Journalism and Communication. Proceeds of the film went to fund treatments of underprivileged cancer patients.

In 2014, Chung cameoed in the movie Kungfu Taboo, sharing the screen with Kara Wai, Frederick Lee, and Henry Thia.

2015–2016: Tearless Sky

In May 21, 2015, Chung released Tearless Sky, an album that also presents itself as a self-narrative. Renowned variety show host Hsu Nai-lin came to her album release party to show his support. Coincidentally, transgender celebrities Chang Ting Ting and Li Jing debuted as singers during that period; however, the media stated that Chung is more suitable as a singer. The album rose to 6th place on the Pop Radio Top Ten Music Chart, 20th place on Five Music’s Mandarin Chart and 4th place on the i Radio Top Hits Chart.

On June 4, 2015, Jessie Chung was invited to appear on the Taiwanese variety show Kangsi Coming. She was also invited to many other TV shows including Genius Go Go Go, GTO Reunion, Hot Door Night, 100% Entertainment, etc.

On June 30, 2015, Chung performed the Tearless Sky Concert in Taipei.

On September 21, 2015, Faces, starring Chung and Jackie Lui, premiered in Malaysia.

On October 17, 2015, Chung held her solo concert, the Love Unity Concert, to fund treatments of underprivileged cancer patients. Guest artists included Malaysian singers Fauziah Latiff and Ziana Zain, and the concert raised RM170,000.

On November 12, 2015, Chung signed with Beijing CTV Star Culture Development Co., the same label that Eric Moo is signed to.

On May 6, 2016, Chung opened the avant-garde Exquisite Chinese Orchestra Concert. She was accompanied by a 22-piece Chinese orchestra while she performed many classic songs, making her the first Malaysian act to completely replace a modern band with a traditional Chinese orchestra in concert. Ten shows in total were played in both West and East Malaysia.

On May 28, 2016, Chung was casted as the main character Yang Xiao Fan in Moonlight, a large-scale stage production based on a true story. The stage play was shown all across Malaysia, and all proceeds went to fund treatments of underprivileged cancer patients. During the third performance, Chung accidentally sprained her ankle, but continued to perform until the curtain call, despite of the pain.

2016–present: Australian record deal and Be Strong

In 2016, Jessie Chung signed to Future Entertainment & Music Group Australia to prepare for her debut in the international music scene and began to record the album There You Are.

On August 23, 2016, Jessie Chung released her debut English album There You Are. Ditching her usual softer personality, Jessie chose to rock a blonde hairstyle and rebellious obsidian dress to fit in with the new genre of her album. Future Entertainment & Music Group Australia’s CEO appeared at the release party to congratulate her.

On August 23, 2016, Chung released her debut English album There You Are. Future Entertainment & Music Group Australia’s CEO appeared at the release party to congratulate her.

On August 24, 2016, Chung started her There You Are Concert Tour, completing five shows in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Kuching.

On October 30, 2016, Chung brought her There You Are Tour to Taipei Ximending.

On November 13, 2016, Chung’s album There You Are peaked at No.2 on Five Music’s International Chart and No.2 on i Radio’s International Chart, becoming the first Malaysian singer to enter into Five Music’s International Chart. Her record label presented her with the Outstanding Achievement Award.

On December 16, 2016, Chung released her second Australian-produced English rock album, Be Strong. At the press conference, Chung received the title “Princess of Rock” and a diamond-studded guitar as a gift from her record label.

From December 18, 2016 to May 2017, Jessie Chung toured across Malaysia with the Be Strong Concert Tour. She also performed in China and Taiwan, bringing her shows to a total of 16 different cities.

On December 30, 2016, Chung’s album There You Are achieved platinum status.

On February 3, 2017, during Chinese New Year, Chung was struck on the nose by her partner in a badminton match and was sent to the emergency room.

On May 7, 2017, a press conference for the release of Be Strong was held in Taipei, Taiwan.

On May 19, 2017, Chung’s album Be Strong sold over 15,000 physical copies and achieved platinum status. In addition, the album topped both Five Music’s International Chart and i Radio’s International Chart with two No.1 positions, and the eponymous single shot to No.3 on UFO Radio’s International Top Singles Chart. The music videos of Be Strong also exceeded 5 million views on YouTube.

Marriage

On November 12, 2005, Chung was married to Joshua Beh at the Riverside Majestic Hotel in Kuching. Their marriage is not supported or recognized under Malaysia’s law and they never received their marriage certificates from the government. They have stated that the situation is understandable under the Malaysian constitution. On May 7, 2017, at the press conference for the release of Be Strong, Chung’s artist manager brought her and Joshua their Australian permanent residence certificate and stated that Chung and her husband will soon legally register their marriage in Australia and hold a wedding once again at Gold Coast.