Melody Journey Explained

Native Name:
Alt Name:Chinese: 音樂潮計劃
Genre:Variety Show
Country:China
Language:Mandarin Chinese
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:11
Runtime:150 minutes
Presenter:Li Hao
Company:Jiangsu Satellite TV
iQiYi
Producer:Jiang Fangming, Wu Han, Li Guanghan
Camera:Multicamera setup
Network:Jiangsu Satellite TV
iQiYi
Last Aired:present

Melody Journey is an original Chinese reality show jointly produced by Jiangsu TV and iQiyi. The first episode aired simultaneously on both platforms on August 18, 2024.[1] The program aims to match singers with songwriters in order to promote and showcase original songs.

Show format

Basic premise

Each episode features 5-8 original songs by songwriters, who perform their demos to a group of singers. Singers, each with six CDs as tokens, then visit songwriters' rooms during the conversation stage to express their interest in the songs via giving the songwriters CDs. Singers may give more than one CD to indicate higher level of interest. Based on the CDs received, songwriters select the singer who best suits their song.

After matching, the singer works with the songwriter to finalize the song before the performance stage at MGM Cotai.[2]

"Burst light" option

Singers can claim a song via the "burst light" option, adapted from the dating show If You Are the One. When the "burst light" time window is announced, singers race to the "burst light" podium and press the numbered light corresponding to the songwriter's room of the song they wish to claim.[3]

During the performance stage, both the matched version and the "burst light" version of the song are performed. The audience votes between the two to determine if the "burst light" version has successfully challenged the matched version. If successful, both versions will be released on QQ Music and KuGou Music at the same time. If unsuccessful, the "burst light" version will be released 24 hours after the matched version.

"Burst light" rule per episode:

Possible outcome variations

Because of the "burst light option," there are several different possible outcomes for a song:

Song with most potential

Each episode, Jiangsu TV's AIGC determines the song with the most potential based on current trends, listeners demographic, and genre of music.

Cast

Episodes

Episode 1

Melody Journey: Episode 1 (August 18)
Room # Song Songwriter(s) Singer(s) Notes Ref.
1 Not Mentioning a Word (隻字不提) Ou Heng Joker Xue Joker Xue was matched with the song but he and Ou Heng weren't able to reach a consensus regarding lyrics; in the end, Joker Xue chose not to perform the song. [4] [5]
Zhou Shen Claimed via "burst light" option; no challenge.
2 Catchphrase (口頭禪) Yang Moyi Jane Zhang
3 DO U Ma Runhan Lars Huang
4 Silence of the Lamb (沉默的羔羊) Yu Dongran Zhou Shen Song with most potential.
5 My Last Lover (最後的愛人) Xiao Ke Essay Wang & Duan Aojuan
6 Come, Go (來, 走) Liu Lian Liu Lian & Essay Wang A duet stage because Liu Lian stated she was looking for someone to sing the song together.

Episode 2

Melody Journey: Episode 2 (August 25)
Room # Song Songwriter Singer Notes Ref.
1 Sun Princess (太陽公主) Wang Zi Shan Yichun [6]
2 I Really Can't Leave You (真的離不開你) Xu Huanliang Lars Huang
3 Nothing Left (没有了) Mooney Liu Duan Duan、Duan Aojuan
Chen Linong Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful.
4 In Between the Upside Down (顛倒之間) Wu Hewen Zhou Shen Matched and claimed via "burst light" option.

Song with most potential.

5 Moonlight (月色) Luan Yize Lars Huang
6 Hobby (愛好) Joker Xue Chen Linong
Xiao Ke Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful.

Episode 3

Melody Journey: Episode 3 (September 1)
Room # Song Songwriter Singer Notes Ref.
1 Asking Knowingly (明知故問) Jace GuoJane Zhang & Shan YichunSongwriter and singers agreed on a duet instead of a solo stage.

Song with most potential.

[7]
2 Brain (腦) Hu Mengzhou Meng Jia
3 Give It A Try (試試吧) Chen Tongyan Li Jiage & MooneySongwriter and singers agreed on a duet instead of a solo stage.
4 Strive for Your Best (奮力一搏) Huang Kuo-lunMooney Claimed via "burst light" option.

"Passed" song; only has "burst light" performance stage.

5 Okay, No Problem, It's All Fine (好的, 沒關係, 都可以) Guo Jiaqi Lars Huang
6 Wait for You (等你) Chen ShengyuZhou Shen
Liu Duan Duan Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful.

Episode 4

Melody Journey: Episode 4 (September 8)
Room # Song Songwriter Singer Notes Ref.
1 Furnace (爐) He Jiale Li Jiage [8] [9]
2 Let Me Go Guan Haode Shan Yichun
Jane Zhang Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful.
3 Rent, Purchase (租購) Dong Jiahong Joker Xue
Chen Linong Claimed via "burst light" option; no challenge.

Because Dong Jiahong wrote the song specifically for Joker Xue, he was the one to decide if the "burst light" version would be released online at all; he chose to have both versions released online.

4 Whenver I (每當我) Zhou Fujin Lars Huang
5 Only Related to Me (只與我有關聯) Zhong TianliZhou Shen
Li JiageClaimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful.
6 I Want to Forget You Right Now (我好想現在就把你忘了) Zhong WanyunJane Zhang Song with most potential.
Liu Duan Duan Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful.

Episode 5

Melody Journey: Episode 5 (September 15)
Room # Song Songwriter Singer Notes Ref.
1 Black Hole (黑洞) Yi ZeyuLiu Duan Duan &Chen Zhuoxuan[10]
2 Good Night, The One Knocking on My Door (晚安, 敲門者) Wang Yaoyang Lars Huang & Wang Yuexin Song with most potential.
3 I Don't Care How Absurd the World Is (我不在乎世界如何荒唐) Cai Youqi Ayunga
4 The End of Flowers (花開盡頭) Liu FengyaoKenji Wu
5 Lifelong Loneliness (終身孤獨) Ye Qing Sai Lan Shan Yichun

Episode 6

Melody Journey: Episode 6 (September 22)
Room # Song Songwriter Singer Notes Ref.
1 Forget Me (忘了我) Jiang Haonan Zhou Shen [11] [12]
Liu Duan Duan Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful.
2 My New World (我的新世界) Xiao Huangqi Liu Duan Duan, Xiao Huangqi & Tong MengshiTong Mengshi appeared as a special guest for the performance stage.
3 Mine Qian RunyuZhou Shen & Qian Runyu Song with most potential.
4 Give My Last Tenderness to the Neighbor's Dog (把最後的溫柔給鄰居家的狗) Li Zheng Wang Yuexin Matched and claimed via "burst light" option.
5 The Cicadas' Chirping on the Eighth Day (八日蟬鳴) Wei LuyaoCai Guoqing & Ayunga
Chen Zhuoxuan Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful.
6 Riddle (谜语) Wang Jingwen - "Passed" song; no performance stage.

While Wang Jingwen received CDs from Cai Guoqing and Ayunga, those were gestures of support and not interest in performing the song.

Episode 7

Melody Journey: Episode 7 (September 29)
Room # Song Songwriter Singer Notes Ref.
1 Do You Dare? (你敢嗎) Ding YuLiu Yuning [13] [14] [15]
Liu Duan Duan Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful.
2 Against the Wind (逆風) AI generated - "Passed" song; no performance stage.
3 Wasp (蜂) James Lee Zhou Shen Demo was titled Resist and in English; after a discussion about the marketability of an all-English song, Jace Guo and Joker Xue rewrote the lyrics in Chinese.
4 Don't Keep Feeling Crestfallen (你不要垂頭喪氣的) Dong JiahongJoker Xue & Dong Jiahong Claimed using the "burst light" option.

"Passed" song; only has "burst light" performance stage.

Joker Xue invited Dong Jiahong to perform with him.

5 Love in Blue (愛在藍) Ma Zihao Bibi Zhou Demo was titled The Chaos of Flowers (意乱花丛), it was renamed after Ma Zihao rewrote the lyrics to better suit Bibi Zhou.
6 This Blue (這蔚藍) Zhou Fujin Liu Yuning Song with most potential.

Episode 8

Melody Journey: Episode 8 (October 6)
Room # Song Songwriter Singer Notes Ref.
1 Insignificant and Majestic (渺小与巍峨) Ou Heng - "Passed" song; no performance stage. [16]
2 Red Light Walk (红灯行) Yang Moyi - This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room.

"Passed" song; no performance stage.

I Want to Write a Song for You (想給你寫首歌) Ma RunhanLiu Yuning & Lil Ghost This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room.
3 Empty (空空) Xu Huanliang - "Passed" song; no performance stage.
4 Gold Rush (淘金熱) Jace Guo Joker Xue & Jace GuoJoker Xue invited Jace Guo to perform with him.
5 That Day On the Road of No Return (在那天回不去的路上) MooneyJoker Xue This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room.
Desolate Land (荒蕪之地) Zhou Fujin Zhou Shen This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room.

Song with most potential.

6 The Lonely Musician (孤獨音樂家) Jiang HaonanBibi Zhou

Episode 9

Melody Journey: Episode 9 (October 13)
Room # Song Songwriter Singer Notes Ref.
1 A Free and Useless Soul (自由而無用的靈魂) Luan Yize Lars Huang Song with most potential. [17]
2 No Regrets in Youth (無悔青春) Deng Zhiwei Lars Huang
3 Put Pen to Paper (落筆成書) Shan Yichun
Liu Xijun Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful.
4 Worst Kind of Love Miao Weilin Lil Ghost
Yao Xiaotang Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful.
5 Farewell My Concubine (霸王別姬) Joker Xue Yao Xiaotang & Liu Duan Duan Liu Duan Duan appeared as a special guest for the performance stage.
6 Tender Lai ZhenmingShan Yichun

Episode 10

Melody Journey: Episode 10 (October 20)
Room # Song Songwriter Singer Notes Ref.
1 Hardworking Person (努力的人) Li Bofan - "Passed" song; no performance stage. [18]
2 Colony (菌落) Wang Zi Bibi Zhou This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room.
Exhaustion (耗盡) Zhong Wanyun Yao Xiaotang
3 The Years That Were Good to Me
(對我好的那些年)
Fang Wenshan & Huang Yuxun Lil Ghost
4 Hertz 1520 (赫茲1520) Luo Jingwen Lars Huang
5 More and More (越來越) Joker Xue Liu Xijun Matched and claimed via "burst light" option.

Song with most potential.

6 Falling (掉) Sun WeiLiu Yuning This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room.
The Art of Farewell Behavior (告別時的行為藝術) Sun Aili - This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room.

"Passed" song; no performance stage.

End-of-season festival

This episode is a celebration of the season with collaborative performances of standout songs from various episodes. Songs are listed in order of appearance.

End-of-Season Festival (October 27)
Song Songwriter Singer Notes
When I (每當我) Zhou Fujian Lars Huang & Liu Yuning Episode 4: Matched with Lars Huang
The Lonely Musician (孤獨音樂家) Jiang Haonan Bibi Zhou & Zhou Shen Episode 8: Matched with Bibi Zhou
Do You Dare? (你敢嗎) Ding Yu Liu Duan Duan & Chen Zhuoxuan Episode 7: Claimed by Liu Duan Duan via "burst light" option
Tender Lai Zhenming Shan Yichun & Bibi Zhou Episode 9: Matched with Shan Yichun
Rent, Purchase (租購) Dong Jiahong Dong Jiahong Episode 4: Matched with Joker Xue

Cantonese version

Hertz is the Frequency of Love (赫茲就是愛的頻率) Luo Jingwen Lars Huang Episode 10: Matched with Lars Huang

Modified title and lyrics to serve as promotional song of the title sponsor Hawthorn Tree

Not Mentioning a Word (隻字不提) Ou Heng & Joker Xue Zhou Shen & Joker Xue Episode 1: Claimed by Zhou Shen via "burst light" option

Performance featured lyrics written by Joker Xue

I Don't Care How Absurd the World Is (我不在乎世界如何荒唐) Cai Youqi Chen Zhuoxuan & Cai Youqi Episode 5: Matched with Ayunga
Worst Kind of Love Miao Weilin Lil Ghost & Liu Duan Duan Episode 9: Matched with Lil Ghost
Lifelong Loneliness (終身孤獨) Ye Qing Sai Lan Shan Yichun & Lars Huang Episode 5: Matched with Shan Yichun
Hardworking Person (努力的人) Li Bofan Liu Yuning Episode 10: Passed by all singers
Red Light Walk (紅燈行) Yang Moyi R.E.D Episode 8: Passed by all singers
I Want to Write a Song for You
(想給你寫首歌)
Ma Runhan Liu Yuning, Lil Ghost & other singers Episode 8: Matched with Liu Yuning and Lil Ghost

Reception

Music

Melody Journey: Song with Highest QQ Music Heatscore[19]
Episode # Song Songwriter(s) Singer Heatscore (as of October 28, 2024)
1Silence of the Lamb (沉默的羔羊) Yu Dongran Zhou Shen 16.46 million
2 Nothing Left (没有了) Mooney Chen Linong10.94 million
3 Asking Knowingly (明知故問) Jace GuoJane Zhang & Shan Yichun 5.30 million
4 Rent, Purchase (租購) Dong Jiahong Joker Xue 47.10 million
5 Lifelong Loneliness (終身孤獨) Ye Qing Sai Lan Shan Yichun 3.06 million
6 Forget Me (忘了我) Jiang Haonan Zhou Shen 5.08 million
7 Don't Keep Feeling Crestfallen (你不要垂頭喪氣的) Dong JiahongJoker Xue & Dong Jiahong 3.68 million
8 That Day On the Road of No Return (在那天回不去的路上) MooneyJoker Xue 4.96 million
9 Farewell My Concubine (霸王別姬) Joker Xue Yao Xiaotang & Liu Duan Duan 3.25 million
10 Hertz 1520 (赫茲1520) Luo Jingwen Lars Huang 1.68 million
End-of-Season Festival Not Mentioning a Word (隻字不提) Ou Heng & Joker Xue Zhou Shen & Joker Xue 890,000

Selected as song with most potential of the episode.

Ratings

Melody Journey: Season 1 Ratings
Episode # Network Time slot CSM71 CSM 35 Ref.
Rating Ranking Rating Ranking
1Jiangsu Satellite TVSundays, 9:00pm CST1.9512.161
22.1212.361
31.7911.991
42.2312.511
51.9612.201
62.4112.731
72.1712.431
82.192 2.452
91.981 2.241
102.311 2.631

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 原创新生力量 音乐向阳而生 . Sohu News . August 6, 2024 . Original new force, music is born towards the sun . zh.
  2. Web site: 音樂緣計劃 年度盛典美獅美高梅上演 . Melody Journey Annual Gala to be held at MGM Cinema . Macao Convention and Exhibition Economy Journal . September 11, 2024 . zh.
  3. Web site: 音乐缘计划: 搭建共创舞台 唱响原创新声 . Melody Journey: Building a co-creation stage to sing original new songs . Tencent News . August 31, 2024 . zh.
  4. Web site: 原创音浪来袭, 音乐缘计划 首期舞台燃爆全网热情!. Original music waves are coming, the first stage of the Melody Journey ignites the enthusiasm of the entire internet . Tencent News . 2024-08-19 . zh.
  5. Web site: 音乐缘计划首场开演, 周深获最佳歌曲, 薛之谦放弃演唱 . The first episode of Melody Journey aired, Zhou Shen won the song with most potential, and Xue Zhiqian did not perform . Sohu News . August 19, 2024 . zh.
  6. Web site: 音乐缘计划 抢歌大战火力全开, 张靓颖首创歌曲新"计量单位" . The song-grabbing battle of "Melody Journey" is in full swing, and Jane Zhang creates a new "unit of measurement" for songs . Tencent news . August 26, 2024. zh.
  7. Web site: "眼前依靓"光芒四射, 音乐缘计划 张靓颖与单依纯首度合作惊艳全场 . "Yi Jing in front of me" is radiant, Melody Journey where Jane Zhang and Shan Yichun's first collaboration amazed the audience . Tencent News . September 2, 2024 . zh.
  8. Web site: 今晚爆灯规则升级! (音乐缘计划) 开启 "抢凳子大赛" . Tonight's Burst Light Rules are Upgraded! (Melody Journey) Opens "Musical Chair Contest" . zh . September 5, 2024 . Tencent News.
  9. Web site: 这份"音"缘命中注定! 音乐缘计划 "薛式"情歌沸腾全场 . This "music" fate is destined! Melody Journey "Xue-style" love songs excited the audience . Tencent News . September 9, 2024 . zh.
  10. Web site: "栎来栎弘" 首度合作, 音乐缘计划 单依纯化身"孤独讲述者" . Tencent News . zh . September 18, 2024.
  11. Web site: 唱跳"深"再出江湖 音乐缘计划 武侠界音乐界两大"五竹"梦幻同台 . Singing and dancing "Shen" is back Melody Journey The two "Wuzhu" in the martial arts world and the music world are on the same stage in a dream . Tencent News . 2024-09-23 . zh.
  12. News: 音乐缘计划 周深今晚再度上线 蔡国庆与阿云嘎碰撞别样火花 . Melody Journey Zhou Shen will be online again tonight Cai Guoqing and A Yunga will create different sparks . Sohu News . September 22, 2024 . zh.
  13. Web site: 刘宇宁演绎电子摇滚, 音乐缘计划 薛之谦带来全新曲风唱跳舞台! . Liu Yuning performs electronic rock, Music Destiny Project Xue Zhiqian brings a new style of singing and dancing on stage! . Tencent News . 2024-09-30 . zh.
  14. Web site: 音乐缘计划 第七期歌曲浅析: 刘端端终于成功, 刘宇宁最具潜力 . Melody Journey Episode 7 Song Analysis: Liu Duan Duan finally succeeded, Liu Yuning has the most potential . October 3, 2024 . Sohu News . zh.
  15. Web site: 周笔畅 "爆改"歌曲 音乐缘计划 刘宇宁深情唱响追梦旋律 . Zhou Bichang "revamped" the song Melody Journey Liu Yuning sang the melody of chasing dreams with deep emotion . September 9, 2024 . Tencent News . zh.
  16. Web site: 薛之谦打造醉感舞台 音乐缘计划 周笔畅温情开嗓治愈孤独 . Xue Zhiqian creates an intoxicating stage, Melody Journey, Zhou Bichang sings tenderly to heal loneliness . October 8, 2024 . zh . Tencent News.
  17. Web site: 薛之谦谱写"霸王别姬", 音乐缘计划 单依纯国风舞台令人沉醉! . Xue Zhiqian composed "Farewell My Concubine", Melody Journey Shan Yichun's Chinese style stage was intoxicating! . Tencent News . October 14, 2024 . zh.
  18. Web site: 刘惜君惊艳演绎薛式情歌 音乐缘计划 黄子弘凡浪漫舞台甜度爆表 . Liu Xijun's stunning interpretation of Xue's love song Melody Journey Huang Zihongfan's romantic stage is extremely sweet . Tencent News . October 21, 2024 . zh.
  19. Web site: QQ音乐综艺 音乐缘计划 . QQ Music Variety Shows Melody Journey . QQ Music . October 28, 2024.