Since its release in 2000, Courage has been more than just a song for Malaysian singer Fish Leong. It has become her way of confronting life.

During her tour in 2023 and 2024, which included 32 cities and more than 40 performances, Leong did not dwell on sentimental reflections before the conclusion. Instead, she described the twists and turns of the journey as a process of continuous transformation, akin to a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.

She told China Daily how she overcame adversity and loneliness, and she encouraged her fans to open up to strangers, to praise themselves, and, each day, to strive to become “butterflies”.

“I hope the Fish Leong you see on this tour is still as courageous as she was when she first sang Courage. But now, her courage extends beyond just love. She faces her sadness with bravery, and when she encounters mistakes during live performances, she confronts them head-on with poise.”

There is a widespread saying among Chinese netizens that “everyone has at least one Fish Leong song that accompanied them at a special moment in their youth”.

Today, fans may wonder whether the girl who accompanied countless young hearts with Courage still carries that same fearless love in her heart. For someone who has sung so many heart-healing ballads, how does Fish Leong heal herself?

“After going through some low points, you realize you can actually be stronger, and you’ll discover more possibilities within yourself,” she said.

“Sad songs are like mirrors, reflecting everyone's sadness. But when 18,000 people resonate together and release their sorrows at the same time, it’s like having 18,000 shoulders to lean on,” she said.

Regarding life’s challenges, Leong said she does not possess profound wisdom but believes that what appears to be a hardship may reveal itself to be a blessing. And she said she trusts that, if you encounter a challenge, it is because you are deemed capable of managing it and offering guidance to those around you. This means you carry an important mission.