For eight years, Nova Zhiyou was a familiar face on Douyin – China’s version of TikTok.
With over two million followers, his charisma and relatable lifestyle videos earned him widespread popularity, racking up millions of views effortlessly.
Yet behind the fast-paced world of Internet fame, another passion was calling – music.
In a move that stunned his followers, Nova wiped all his previous posts on Douyin to start anew, this time as a singer- songwriter.
“Deep down, I always knew music was my calling.
“Even if I didn’t know where this path would take me, I knew it was what I truly wanted,” the 32-year-old Chinese artiste said in a group interview, joined by StarLifestyle in Kuala Lumpur.
The artiste was in town to promote his debut album, Artificial But Human’s.
Hoping to make a mark in the music industry, Nova reached out to Singaporean music producer brothers Paul and Peter Lee – known for their works with Cantopop and Mandopop stars like Jacky Cheung, Aaron Kwok and Stefanie Sun.
Born Lan Hao Yi, the singer adopted the stage name Nova at Paul’s suggestion, symbolising light and brilliance.
“It reflects using my small power to shine for a moment, but its brilliance can last for billions of years... That’s what I hope my music can be,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zhiyou part came from a fortune teller who said it would bring him success.
“It means freedom and also being a confidant, reflecting my goal to connect with everyone through music.
“The fortune teller also thought I was a bit clumsy and needed some wisdom to balance that out, so that’s how Zhiyou came to be,” he explained.
Finding strength in vulnerability
Comprising 12 songs, Artificial But Human’s is a deeply personal album for Nova, who wanted to showcase his most vulnerable side.
He believes that only through such honesty can he truly connect with fellow music lovers.
“If a guy calls himself a ‘broken boy’, it sounds a bit crazy,” he laughed.
“But truthfully, I do feel broken sometimes when I’m alone, and I’m not afraid of letting people see that side of me.”
Of all the tracks, Nova said Abandon carries the most emotional weight, revealing a side of himself that feels almost too personal to share.
“The song is about growth, regrets, love and heartbreak. I wrote so many versions trying to perfect it and even cried for hours after finishing the lyrics,” he shared.
The music video, filmed over three days in KL, left a lasting impression on the singer.
“The energy of the city, rain, neon lights and overall vibe felt like the perfect reflection of the song’s emotion.
“We shot under bridges, by the sea, hilltops and even underwater.
“I think a part of me stayed behind in KL after the shoot, which is why returning here now feels so comforting,” he said.
When asked if there were any Malaysian artistes he would love to collaborate with someday, Nova named Penny Tai and Jess Lee.
“I feel that Malaysian singers have remarkable perseverance which inspires me,” he added.
Growing with time
Approaching the last few minutes of the group interview, Nova candidly spoke about his direction and goals as a singer-songwriter.
Instead, his focus is on sharing stories that resonate with people.
“My mentors always told me to be a good messenger... There’s no need to push it,” he said.
When asked if he was interested in joining popular variety shows to promote himself, the singer answered in the negative.
“Music should go back to being about music.
“Of course, I’d be grateful if there’s an opportunity to go on a music programme, but I don’t expect it to make me famous.
“Music is something that just clicks – it will grow on its own and find its way to where it’s meant to go,” he said.
