The remarkable story of a song rejected three times, yet made millions from 1977 to today.
Have you ever given your best, only to receive little appreciation?
- You work hard, but your boss doesn't recognise your contributions.
- You deliver results, but your rewards hardly reflect your efforts.
- You have talents, ideas and ambitions, but nobody seems interested.
- You apply for opportunities, only to be rejected or ignored.
Even the government schemes and institutions you hoped would support you may not recognise what you have to offer. Worse still, the government banned you.
Eventually, you begin to wonder: "Am I really not good enough?"
Before you lose confidence, let me share a story that moved me to tears.
A song that struggled for recognition before becoming one of the most beloved Chinese songs in history.
1. Rejected by Its Own Creator
In the early 1970s, composer Tony Weng Qingxi (翁清溪) created a melody out of boredom when he was studying in Boston USA. He considered his own creation to be mundane and uninteresting, and discarded the manuscript.
Imagine that!
A melody that would eventually touch millions of hearts was considered worthless by its own creator.
Fortunately, lyricist Sun Yi (孙仪) recognised its beauty and wrote the unforgettable lyrics: The Moon Represents My Heart (月亮代表我的心).
The first lesson: Just because someone fails to appreciate your value doesn't mean you have none.
Perhaps your boss doesn't see your potential. Perhaps your customers don't appreciate your work. Perhaps even you have begun to underestimate yourself.
Sometimes, you don't need more talent.
You need someone who can recognise the talent you already possess.
You need your Sun Yi.
2. Hard Work, Poor Rewards and No Support
The song was first recorded by Chen Fen-lan (陈芬兰) in 1973 in Taiwan, but it failed to achieve any success. The recording company put it in storage. Another singer, Liu Guan-lin (刘冠霖), found it and recorded it. She promoted the song hard, but the song still struggled to gain recognition. Reason: it was banned by Taiwan's martial-law, as one line 'A gentle kiss touches my soul,' was considered immoral.
For years, the song remained in the storeroom, forgotten by everyone.
Does this sound familiar?
- You work harder, yet your salary barely increases.
- You contribute ideas, but someone else receives the credit.
- You develop your capabilities, but opportunities go to others.
- You approach institutions or government programmes for support, only to discover that you don't meet their criteria.
It can be frustrating. But consider this:
A lack of recognition is not always proof of a lack of ability.
Sometimes the market is wrong for you. Sometimes the timing is wrong.
Sometimes the people evaluating you simply cannot recognise what you offer.
Of course, rejection can also reveal areas where we genuinely need to improve.
The wisdom lies in knowing the difference.
Don't allow someone else's assessment to become the final verdict on your worth.
3. Then Came Teresa Teng — and Everything Changed
In 1977, Teresa Teng (邓丽君) found this song by chance. She insisted on recording this discarded and banned song, in a remake verson of gentleness and full of heart. To overcome the ban in Taiwan, she releaesd the song under Hong Kong's Polygram.
Nobody expected the song to become an overnight success in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. It became very popular in Taiwan too, and China when it opened up in 1979.
The very melody that had struggled for recognition became a timeless classic.
Teresa Teng did not compose the song.She did not write its lyrics.
She recognised its potential and brought out the best in it.
And that made all the difference.
Think about your own life.
What if you are not unsuccessful because you lack ability?
What if you have been presenting your talents to the wrong people, in the wrong environment, or in the wrong way?
You may not need to become a completely different person. You may need a different platform, a better strategy and the right people.
You need your Teresa Teng.
4. From Rejection to Worldwide Recognition
Today, 50 years after Teresa Teng popularised it, The Moon Represents My Heart continues to reach new audiences. Beyond Mandarin, it has inspired renditions in Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, French, Tagalog, Russian and English, among other languages. In 2015, American rock star Jon Bon Jovi even performed it in Mandarin.
The song has inspired jazz, orchestral, piano and other instrumental arrangements.
It remains a karaoke favourite, continues to appear in Chinese musical performances and reaches younger generations through streaming platforms and modern covers.
Its simple, memorable lyrics have also made it useful for some foreigners learning Mandarin.
A song once overlooked has become a cultural treasure that transcends generations and national boundaries.
What changed?
Not the fundamental beauty of the melody.
What changed was its interpretation, exposure, timing and the people who helped it reach the world.
5. Stop Waiting for the World to Appreciate You
Here is the uncomfortable truth.
The world does not owe you recognition simply because you work hard.
- Your employer may never reward you adequately.
- Your customers may never appreciate your full contribution.
- The government may have other priorities, eligibility criteria or limited resources.
And the people you hope will support you may never respond.
You can spend years feeling disappointed, angry and unappreciated.
Or you can make a different decision.
Stop waiting to be discovered. Start positioning yourself to be discovered.
Ask yourself:
What strengths and talents do I possess that others may not recognise?
Am I offering my value to the right people and market?
Who could help me see my blind spots, develop my strengths and open new opportunities?
What must I change in my approach, rather than simply working harder?
This is where Love Intelligence (LQ) becomes important.
Care — Recognise your own worth while understanding what others genuinely need.
Courage — Stop depending on approval. Take responsibility for changing your circumstances.
Connection — Build relationships with people who recognise your strengths, challenge you constructively and help you grow.
Remember:
You cannot force people to appreciate you. But you can change how, where and to whom you offer your value.
6. For Just $8, Let's Find Your Sun Yi and Teresa Teng
For more than four decades, I have worked across finance, management, consulting, training and coaching.
I have experienced successes, setbacks, recognition and rejection.
One lesson stands out:
Sometimes, one meaningful conversation can help you see possibilities you have overlooked for years.
That is why I am offering a limited $8 personal coaching session to help you begin discovering your own Sun Yi and Teresa Teng.
During our conversation, we will explore three questions:
1. What is your hidden goldmine?
Identify strengths, experiences or opportunities you may be undervaluing.
2. Who is your Sun Yi?
Consider the kind of mentor, adviser or supporter who can recognise your potential and help you develop it.
3. Who is your Teresa Teng?
Explore the people, platforms, partnerships or opportunities that could help bring your value to a wider audience.
You may not leave with every answer.
But you can leave with a clearer understanding of where to look and what action to take next.
Your value should not be determined solely by the people who have rejected or ignored you.
Perhaps, like The Moon Represents My Heart, your greatest chapter has yet to begin.
Are You Ready to Find Your Sun Yi and Teresa Teng?
Personal Coaching with Andy Ng — S$8 (45-min over zoom)
To enquire or book, email andythecoach@gmail.com with the subject:
"Find My Sun Yi and Teresa Teng — $8 Coaching"
And one final thought:
Don't spend the rest of your life begging to be appreciated by people who cannot see your worth.
Find the right people. Choose the right environment. Develop the right strategy.
Your Teresa Teng may be closer than you think.
Andy Ng 吴林朔
CA, MBA, M-SID
Financial Governance & Strategy Advisor
Accredited Director | Qualified Listed Entity Director (SID)
Trainer | Consultant | Coach since 2001
andythecoach@gmail.com
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