Taiwan-based South Korean-Chinese artist Shi Shi (real name: Sun Sheng Xi) has released a new extended play titled The Taste Of…, marking her first major project written primarily in English.

The EP represents the culmination of Shi Shi's experiences developing music and collaborating with producers in the United States and South Korea over the past two years. The project arrives after her Best Female Singer win at the Golden Melody Awards in 2024 — often referred to as the Grammys of Mandarin pop, or Mandopop. She previously earned Best Vocal Album at the same ceremony in 2021 and Best Mandarin Album in 2019.

With The Taste Of…, Shi Shi seeks to showcase three languages across her songs: English, Mandarin, and Korean. She described the effort as both a tribute to her roots and a "first step onto the international stage." The pivot aligns with a broader trend among Asian pop artists who, buoyed by streaming platforms and social media, are increasingly releasing English-language or multilingual projects to reach listeners beyond their home markets.

Speaking to Philippine press during a virtual roundtable interview on July 22, just over a week after the EP's release on streaming platforms, Shi Shi discussed the creative journey behind the five-track collection.

"These are five songs that I wrote over two years," she said. "After the album Boomerang, I started to explore more sounds. I went to LA and Korea to collaborate with other countries' producers… I'm still exploring, so this EP includes many different vibes."

Speaking through a Mandarin translator, she explained that the songs reflect the range of emotions she experienced throughout the creative process — "a sample of different emotions and tastes," which inspired the EP's title. Shi Shi likened each track to a cocktail with its own distinct flavor and taste profile, a concept that also connects to a bistro she co-owns in Taipei, where cocktails are inspired by songs from her discography.

"I grew up in Korea and then [now I'm] in the music industry in Taiwan, so a lot of culture inspired me, like K-pop and Mandopop, so I think I'm blessed that I can feel different languages and emotions, coming from different countries," she said. "I think that's a blessing and that's also what I can give to listeners."

The EP features collaborations with a roster of international producers, including K-pop artist parkhyeon, California-based producer Different Sleep, Latin Grammy-winning Brazilian producer Andrø Pop, and Chinese-American producer Morrison Ma (MOSUN). The cross-border producer lineup reflects a growing practice among Asian artists of tapping creative talent from multiple regions to craft a more globally accessible sound.

"I've been reaching out to different countries' producers and making new friends that I can co-work with," Shi Shi said. "I want to do more English music as well as Korean and Chinese, and I think that I could reach out to more through these languages."

Two tracks featuring Korean lyrics — "Falling in Love" and "Tteokbokki" — stand out as the EP's most intimate moments, drawing inspiration from the artist's birthplace and upbringing. "Tteokbokki" takes its name from the well-known spicy Korean rice cake dish, with a particular restaurant in her hometown of Gangneung in mind.

"When I sing and write music, some parts I feel aren't right, so I switch to maybe Mandarin or Korean and then I feel it's right," Shi Shi explained. "It's [all about] emotions and parts of the songs, the melodies. They will find the right language."

Looking ahead, Shi Shi hopes to continue creating music for a global audience, signaling what she sees as the next era of her career. Touring is part of that plan, though she is uncertain when a Manila stop might be feasible. She expressed strong interest in visiting the Philippines for the first time.

"I'm going on tour this year. I want to let all the other countries' fans or new fans know that I'll do more music," she said. "Social media these days is very developed, so I like shooting reels. That's also a way to reach more people from other countries."

Regarding potential collaborations with Filipino artists, Shi Shi said she would welcome recommendations, though one act caught her attention at a music festival earlier this year.

"I saw the show of BINI at Coachella. That was so cool," she said. "If you have any recommendations, let me know! Maybe solo artists will be more suited to me. And I've never been to the Philippines, so I really should go!"

BINI, the eight-member Filipino girl group, made history at Coachella in 2024 as one of the few P-pop acts to perform at the festival, a milestone widely seen as a signal of Philippine pop's growing international visibility.

The Taste Of… by Shi Shi is available on all digital music streaming platforms.

— Brontë H. Lacsamana