SINGAPORE – When Pets Tseng went on popular Taiwanese variety show Here Comes Kang Xi last December, the show’s host Dee Hsu (somewhat) jokingly threatened to throw her out of the studio. Hsu had found out that Tseng’s debut album I’m Pets had nudge her new album (Elephant Dee) for the top spot in pre-sales numbers.

But just who is Pets Tseng? How did she gain such clout for her debut album? How did she manage to sell out her mini-concert in Singapore in eight hours?

And why on earth is her name Pets?

“My name is Pets because of my Chinese name, Zeng Pei Ci. Don’t you think Zeng Pets sounds like my Chinese name?” the affable Mandopop singer explained during our recent interview at St Regis Hotel, where she was promoting her new album.

“This goes back to my time in university. My friends and I were so bored, we looked for names that sounded like our Chinese names. I love changing my English name! Even when I was a student, I’d call myself Gina, Claire and Grace. I was even Mary at one point! Pets is much easier to remember though, compared to the other names.

“But sometimes I meet foreigners who ask me what my name is. I tell them it’s Pets, and they go, “what?!” And then I have to explain all over again,” she added with a sigh.

Like her, erm, unusual name, Tseng’s career in the music business has also been fairly unconventional. After she was placed sixth in the second season of reality singing competition One Million Star, Tseng went on to star in several dramas, including the popular KO drama series in Taiwan, before she was finally given the chance to realise her dream of releasing her own album — seven long years after she entered the industry. And that long wait has taught the singer to be grateful for any and every opportunity that comes her way.

“Before making I’m Pets, I was worried about whether it was too late to debut as a singer at this age. How many more years would I have as a singer?” said Tseng, who turned 30 in October last year. “At one point, because I had spent so much time acting, more and more people asked me why I wasn’t singing. And I knew that I really wanted to sing. While I waited, I also couldn’t help but wonder if I would ever get the chance to do what I wanted to do.”

She continued: “But I was pleasantly surprised after releasing this album. It was hard work, but I enjoyed the process because I really like singing, and because it was something that I really, really wanted to do. After all, I’ve been waiting for so long! So I truly appreciate this opportunity. And now that I have been promoting my album for two to three months, I have been worrying a lot less (about my age). I now believe I should just continue working until I cannot work anymore.”

For now, Tseng says she wishes to focus on her work — even though the last seven years have also taught her something about life.

“Of course I want to get married and have children before I turn 35,” said Tseng. “But from now till I am 33, I want to keep moving forward with my acting roles and music, and release my second album.”

The Mandopop star added: “I waited for seven years to release this album, and the wait has brought out more of my hopes and expectations. I didn’t really dare to have any expectations before. But now I want to be bold and aim for more!”

Pets Tseng’s I’m Pets is now on sale.