SINGAPORE — When local singer-songwriter Ling Kai took to the stage during the launch of her debut album, LinK, little did she know that she would be in for a surprise.

Halfway through the proceedings, Singapore’s pop superstar Stefanie Sun turned up with a bouquet of flowers for Ling Kai, who was clearly star-struck.

Sun said she came to give her blessings, and wished Ling a smooth career and that “people all over the world would be able to hear her music”.

Ling said: “When I saw Stefanie Sun, I was really really surprised. I felt very lucky that she listened to my album and liked some of the songs.

“I really want to thank her, although I’ve said it so many times she’s probably sick of it”.

Ling gained popularity as a YouTube sensation when her song, Larkin Step, garnered more than one million views. She followed this up with an English EP, Honestly. LinK is her first Chinese album.

Ling showcased five of the tracks on her album. With her unique raspy voice and gutsy vocals, the singer worked the crowd, and offered also a cover of Ben E King’s Stand By Me as an encore. While Ling’s flavour of pop-rock with a Duffy-inspired musical ability will definitely bring something new to the Mandopop scene, it remains to be seen whether she can emulate Sun’s success. But for the fans, she’s heading in the right direction. Kimberly Fong