# Melody Journey

Melody Journey is an original Chinese reality show jointly produced by Jiangsu TV and iQiyi. The first episode aired simultaneously on both platforms on August 18, 2024. The program aims to match singers with songwriters in order to promote and showcase original songs.

## Show format
### Basic premise

Each episode features 5-8 original songs by songwriters, who perform their demos to a group of singers. Singers, each with six CDs as tokens, then visit songwriters' rooms during the conversation stage to express their interest in the songs via giving the songwriters CDs. Singers may give more than one CD to indicate higher level of interest. Based on the CDs received, songwriters select the singer who best suits their song.
After matching, the singer works with the songwriter to finalize the song before the performance stage at MGM Cotai.

### "Burst light" option

Singers can claim a song via the "burst light" option, adapted from the dating show If You Are the One. When the "burst light" time window is announced, singers race to the "burst light" podium and press the numbered light corresponding to the songwriter's room of the song they wish to claim.
During the performance stage, both the matched version and the "burst light" version of the song are performed. The audience votes between the two to determine if the "burst light" version has successfully challenged the matched version. If successful, both versions will be released on QQ Music and KuGou Music at the same time. If unsuccessful, the "burst light" version will be released 24 hours after the matched version.
"Burst light" rule per episode:
* Episode 1-2: Each singer may only use this option once and each song can only be claimed once.
* Episodes 3, 7, 9: Each singer may only use this option once and only two songs can be claimed.
* Episode 4: Up to four songs can be claimed, two during the demo stage and two during the regular time window.
* Episodes 5-6: Each singer only has one "burst light" chance in these episodes.
* Episodes 8: No "burst light" option available.
* Episodes 10: Only one "burst light" option available.

### Possible outcome variations

Because of the "burst light option," there are several different possible outcomes for a song:
* Song is matched to a singer with no "burst light" claim; one performance stage.
* Song is matched to a singer with "burst light" claim by another singer; two performance stages, audience votes.
* Song is matched to a singer and claimed by same singer via "burst light"; one performance stage, no audience votes.
* Song is not matched to a singer and is only claimed via "burst light"; one performance stage, no audience votes.
* Song is not matched to a singer and is not claimed via "burst light"; no performance stage, considered a "passed" song.

### Song with most potential

Each episode, Jiangsu TV's AIGC determines the song with the most potential based on current trends, listeners demographic, and genre of music.

## Cast

* Joker Xue (Singer: Episodes 1, 3–4, 7–8, 11; Songwriter: Episodes 2, 9–10)
* Jane Zhang (Singer: Episodes 1–4)
* Zhou Shen (Singer: Episodes 1–11)
* Shan Yichun (Singer: Episodes 1–11)
* Lars Huang (Singer: Episodes 1–11)
* Liu Duan Duan (Singer: Episodes 1–9, 11)
* Chen Linong (Singer: Episodes 1–4)
* Essay Wang (Singer: Episodes 1–2)
* Duan Aojuan (Singer: Episodes 1–2)
* Xiao Ke (Singer: Episodes 2; Songwriter: Episode 1)
* Mooney (Singer: Episodes 3–4; Songwriter: Episodes 2, 8)
* Meng Jia (Singer: Episodes 3–4)
* Li Jiage (Singer: Episodes 3–4)
* Chen Zhuoxuan (Singer: Episodes 5–6, 11)
* Kenji Wu (Singer: Episodes 5–6)
* Cai Guoqing (Singer: Episodes 5–6)
* Yuexin Wang (Singer: Episodes 5–6)
* Ayanga (Singer: Episodes 5–6)
* Bibi Zhou (Singer: Episodes 7–11)
* Liu Yuning (Singer: Episodes 7–11)
* Lil Ghost (Singer: Episodes 7–11)
* Liu Xijun (Singer: Episodes 9–10)
* Yao Xiaotang (Singer: Episodes 9–10)

## Episodes
### Episode 1

Melody Journey: Episode 1 (August 18) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter(s) | Singer(s) | Notes |
| 1 | Not Mentioning a Word (隻字不提) | Ou Heng | Joker Xue | Joker Xue was matched with the song but he and Ou Heng weren't able to reach a consensus regarding lyrics; in the end, Joker Xue chose not to perform the song. |
| 1 | Not Mentioning a Word (隻字不提) | Ou Heng | Zhou Shen | Claimed via "burst light" option; no challenge. |
| 2 | Catchphrase (口頭禪) | Yang Moyi | Jane Zhang | |
| 3 | DO U | Ma Runhan | Lars Huang | |
| 4 | Silence of the Lamb (沉默的羔羊) | Yu Dongran | Zhou Shen | Song with most potential. |
| 5 | My Last Lover (最後的愛人) | Xiao Ke | Essay Wang & Duan Aojuan | |
| 6 | Come, Go (來, 走) | Liu Lian | Liu Lian & Essay Wang | A duet stage because Liu Lian stated she was looking for someone to sing the song together. |

### Episode 2

Melody Journey: Episode 2 (August 25) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| 1 | Sun Princess (太陽公主) | Wang Zi | Shan Yichun | |
| 2 | I Really Can't Leave You (真的離不開你) | Xu Huanliang | Lars Huang | |
| 3 | Nothing Left (没有了) | Mooney | Liu Duan Duan、Duan Aojuan | |
| 3 | Nothing Left (没有了) | Mooney | Chen Linong | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful. |
| 4 | In Between the Upside Down (顛倒之間) | Wu Hewen | Zhou Shen | Matched and claimed via "burst light" option.Song with most potential. |
| 5 | Moonlight (月色) | Luan Yize | Lars Huang | |
| 6 | Hobby (愛好) | Joker Xue | Chen Linong | |
| 6 | Hobby (愛好) | Joker Xue | Xiao Ke | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful. |

### Episode 3

Melody Journey: Episode 3 (September 1) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| 1 | Asking Knowingly (明知故問) | Jace Guo | Jane Zhang & Shan Yichun | Songwriter and singers agreed on a duet instead of a solo stage.Song with most potential. |
| 2 | Brain (腦) | Hu Mengzhou | Meng Jia | |
| 3 | Give It A Try (試試吧) | Chen Tongyan | Li Jiage & Mooney | Songwriter and singers agreed on a duet instead of a solo stage. |
| 4 | Strive for Your Best (奮力一搏) | Huang Kuo-lun | Mooney | Claimed via "burst light" option."Passed" song; only has "burst light" performance stage. |
| 5 | Okay, No Problem, It's All Fine (好的, 沒關係, 都可以) | Guo Jiaqi | Lars Huang | |
| 6 | Wait for You (等你) | Chen Shengyu | Zhou Shen | |
| 6 | Wait for You (等你) | Chen Shengyu | Liu Duan Duan | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful. |

### Episode 4

Melody Journey: Episode 4 (September 8) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| 1 | Furnace (爐) | He Jiale | Li Jiage | |
| 2 | Let Me Go | Guan Haode | Shan Yichun | |
| 2 | Let Me Go | Guan Haode | Jane Zhang | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful. |
| 3 | Rent, Purchase (租購) | Dong Jiahong | Joker Xue | |
| 3 | Rent, Purchase (租購) | Dong Jiahong | Chen Linong | Claimed via "burst light" option; no challenge.Because Dong Jiahong wrote the song specifically for Joker Xue, he was the one to decide if the "burst light" version would be released online at all; he chose to have both versions released online. |
| 4 | Whenver I (每當我) | Zhou Fujin | Lars Huang | |
| 5 | Only Related to Me (只與我有關聯) | Zhong Tianli | Zhou Shen | |
| 5 | Only Related to Me (只與我有關聯) | Zhong Tianli | Li Jiage | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful. |
| 6 | I Want to Forget You Right Now (我好想現在就把你忘了) | Zhong Wanyun | Jane Zhang | Song with most potential. |
| 6 | I Want to Forget You Right Now (我好想現在就把你忘了) | Zhong Wanyun | Liu Duan Duan | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful. |

### Episode 5

Melody Journey: Episode 5 (September 15) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| 1 | Black Hole (黑洞) | Yi Zeyu | Liu Duan Duan &Chen Zhuoxuan | |
| 2 | Good Night, The One Knocking on My Door (晚安, 敲門者) | Wang Yaoyang | Lars Huang & Wang Yuexin | Song with most potential. |
| 3 | I Don't Care How Absurd the World Is (我不在乎世界如何荒唐) | Cai Youqi | Ayunga | |
| 4 | The End of Flowers (花開盡頭) | Liu Fengyao | Kenji Wu | |
| 5 | Lifelong Loneliness (終身孤獨) | Ye Qing Sai Lan | Shan Yichun | |

### Episode 6

Melody Journey: Episode 6 (September 22) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| 1 | Forget Me (忘了我) | Jiang Haonan | Zhou Shen | |
| 1 | Forget Me (忘了我) | Jiang Haonan | Liu Duan Duan | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful. |
| 2 | My New World (我的新世界) | Xiao Huangqi | Liu Duan Duan, Xiao Huangqi & Tong Mengshi | Tong Mengshi appeared as a special guest for the performance stage. |
| 3 | Mine | Qian Runyu | Zhou Shen & Qian Runyu | Song with most potential. |
| 4 | Give My Last Tenderness to the Neighbor's Dog (把最後的溫柔給鄰居家的狗) | Li Zheng | Wang Yuexin | Matched and claimed via "burst light" option. |
| 5 | The Cicadas' Chirping on the Eighth Day (八日蟬鳴) | Wei Luyao | Cai Guoqing & Ayunga | |
| 5 | The Cicadas' Chirping on the Eighth Day (八日蟬鳴) | Wei Luyao | Chen Zhuoxuan | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful. |
| 6 | Riddle (谜语) | Wang Jingwen | - | "Passed" song; no performance stage.While Wang Jingwen received CDs from Cai Guoqing and Ayunga, those were gestures of support and not interest in performing the song. |

### Episode 7

Melody Journey: Episode 7 (September 29) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| 1 | Do You Dare? (你敢嗎) | Ding Yu | Liu Yuning | |
| 1 | Do You Dare? (你敢嗎) | Ding Yu | Liu Duan Duan | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful. |
| 2 | Against the Wind (逆風) | AI generated | - | "Passed" song; no performance stage. |
| 3 | Wasp (蜂) | James Lee | Zhou Shen | Demo was titled Resist and in English; after a discussion about the marketability of an all-English song, Jace Guo and Joker Xue rewrote the lyrics in Chinese. |
| 4 | Don't Keep Feeling Crestfallen (你不要垂頭喪氣的) | Dong Jiahong | Joker Xue & Dong Jiahong | Claimed using the "burst light" option."Passed" song; only has "burst light" performance stage.Joker Xue invited Dong Jiahong to perform with him. |
| 5 | Love in Blue (愛在藍) | Ma Zihao | Bibi Zhou | Demo was titled The Chaos of Flowers (意乱花丛), it was renamed after Ma Zihao rewrote the lyrics to better suit Bibi Zhou. |
| 6 | This Blue (這蔚藍) | Zhou Fujin | Liu Yuning | Song with most potential. |

### Episode 8

Melody Journey: Episode 8 (October 6) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| 1 | Insignificant and Majestic (渺小与巍峨) | Ou Heng | - | "Passed" song; no performance stage. |
| 2 | Red Light Walk (红灯行) | Yang Moyi | - | This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room."Passed" song; no performance stage. |
| 2 | I Want to Write a Song for You (想給你寫首歌) | Ma Runhan | Liu Yuning & Lil Ghost | This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room. |
| 3 | Empty (空空) | Xu Huanliang | - | "Passed" song; no performance stage. |
| 4 | Gold Rush (淘金熱) | Jace Guo | Joker Xue & Jace Guo | Joker Xue invited Jace Guo to perform with him. |
| 5 | That Day On the Road of No Return (在那天回不去的路上) | Mooney | Joker Xue | This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room. |
| 5 | Desolate Land (荒蕪之地) | Zhou Fujin | Zhou Shen | This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room.Song with most potential. |
| 6 | The Lonely Musician (孤獨音樂家) | Jiang Haonan | Bibi Zhou | |

### Episode 9

Melody Journey: Episode 9 (October 13) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| 1 | A Free and Useless Soul (自由而無用的靈魂) | Luan Yize | Lars Huang | Song with most potential. |
| 2 | No Regrets in Youth (無悔青春) | Deng Zhiwei | Lars Huang | |
| 3 | Put Pen to Paper (落筆成書) | Vincent Fang & Yanis Huang | Shan Yichun | |
| 3 | Put Pen to Paper (落筆成書) | Vincent Fang & Yanis Huang | Liu Xijun | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge successful. |
| 4 | Worst Kind of Love | Miao Weilin | Lil Ghost | |
| 4 | Worst Kind of Love | Miao Weilin | Yao Xiaotang | Claimed via "burst light" option; challenge unsuccessful. |
| 5 | Farewell My Concubine (霸王別姬) | Joker Xue | Yao Xiaotang & Liu Duan Duan | Liu Duan Duan appeared as a special guest for the performance stage. |
| 6 | Tender | Lai Zhenming | Shan Yichun | |

### Episode 10

Melody Journey: Episode 10 (October 20) :
| Room # | Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| 1 | Hardworking Person (努力的人) | Li Bofan | - | "Passed" song; no performance stage. |
| 2 | Colony (菌落) | Wang Zi | Bibi Zhou | This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room. |
| 2 | Exhaustion (耗盡) | Zhong Wanyun | Yao Xiaotang | This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room. |
| 3 | The Years That Were Good to Me (對我好的那些年) | Fang Wenshan & Huang Yuxun | Lil Ghost | |
| 4 | Hertz 1520 (赫茲1520) | Luo Jingwen | Lars Huang | |
| 5 | More and More (越來越) | Joker Xue | Liu Xijun | Matched and claimed via "burst light" option. Song with most potential. |
| 6 | Falling (掉) | Sun Wei | Liu Yuning | This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room. |
| 6 | The Art of Farewell Behavior (告別時的行為藝術) | Sun Aili | - | This episode featured eight songwriters, resulting in two songwriters sharing one room."Passed" song; no performance stage. |

### End-of-season festival

This episode is a celebration of the season with collaborative performances of standout songs from various episodes. Songs are listed in order of appearance.
End-of-Season Festival (October 27) :
| Song | Songwriter | Singer | Notes |
| When I (每當我) | Zhou Fujian | Lars Huang & Liu Yuning | Episode 4: Matched with Lars Huang |
| The Lonely Musician (孤獨音樂家) | Jiang Haonan | Bibi Zhou & Zhou Shen | Episode 8: Matched with Bibi Zhou |
| Do You Dare? (你敢嗎) | Ding Yu | Liu Duan Duan & Chen Zhuoxuan | Episode 7: Claimed by Liu Duan Duan via "burst light" option |
| Tender | Lai Zhenming | Shan Yichun & Bibi Zhou | Episode 9: Matched with Shan Yichun |
| Rent, Purchase (租購) | Dong Jiahong | Dong Jiahong | Episode 4: Matched with Joker Xue Cantonese version |
| Hertz is the Frequency of Love (赫茲就是愛的頻率) | Luo Jingwen | Lars Huang | Episode 10: Matched with Lars HuangModified title and lyrics to serve as promotional song of the title sponsor Hawthorn Tree |
| Not Mentioning a Word (隻字不提) | Ou Heng & Joker Xue | Zhou Shen & Joker Xue | Episode 1: Claimed by Zhou Shen via "burst light" option Performance featured lyrics written by Joker Xue |
| I Don't Care How Absurd the World Is (我不在乎世界如何荒唐) | Cai Youqi | Chen Zhuoxuan & Cai Youqi | Episode 5: Matched with Ayunga |
| Worst Kind of Love | Miao Weilin | Lil Ghost & Liu Duan Duan | Episode 9: Matched with Lil Ghost |
| Lifelong Loneliness (終身孤獨) | Ye Qing Sai Lan | Shan Yichun & Lars Huang | Episode 5: Matched with Shan Yichun |
| Hardworking Person (努力的人) | Li Bofan | Liu Yuning | Episode 10: Passed by all singers |
| Red Light Walk (紅燈行) | Yang Moyi | R.E.D | Episode 8: Passed by all singers |
| I Want to Write a Song for You (想給你寫首歌) | Ma Runhan | Liu Yuning, Lil Ghost & other singers | Episode 8: Matched with Liu Yuning and Lil Ghost |

## Reception
### Music

Melody Journey: Song with Highest QQ Music Heatscore (as of February 23, 2025) :
| Episode # | Song | Songwriter(s) | Singer | Heatscore |
| 1 | DO U | Ma Runhan | Lars Huang | 22.40 million |
| 2 | Nothing Left (没有了) | Mooney | Chen Linong | 14.74 million |
| 3 | Asking Knowingly (明知故問) | Jace Guo | Jane Zhang & Shan Yichun | 7.56 million |
| 4 | Rent, Purchase (租購) | Dong Jiahong | Joker Xue | 75.98 million |
| 5 | Lifelong Loneliness (終身孤獨) | Ye Qing Sai Lan | Shan Yichun | 4.93 million |
| 6 | Forget Me (忘了我) | Jiang Haonan | Zhou Shen | 8.03 million |
| 7 | Don't Keep Feeling Crestfallen (你不要垂頭喪氣的) | Dong Jiahong | Joker Xue & Dong Jiahong | 6.44 million |
| 8 | That Day On the Road of No Return (在那天回不去的路上) | Mooney | Joker Xue | 8.41 million |
| 9 | Farewell My Concubine (霸王別姬) | Joker Xue | Yao Xiaotang & Liu Duan Duan | 7.09 million |
| 10 | Hertz 1520 (赫茲1520) | Luo Jingwen | Lars Huang | 5.53 million |
| End-of-Season Festival | Not Mentioning a Word (隻字不提) | Ou Heng & Joker Xue | Zhou Shen & Joker Xue | 13.19 million |
Melody Journey: Singers with Highest QQ Music Heatscore Songs (as of February 23, 2025) :
| Singer | Number of Songs | Song | Songwriter |
| Joker Xue | 4 | Rent, Purchase (租購) | Dong Jiahong |
| Joker Xue | 4 | Don't Keep Feeling Crestfallen (你不要垂頭喪氣的) | Dong Jiahong |
| Joker Xue | 4 | That Day On the Road of No Return (在那天回不去的路上) | Mooney |
| Joker Xue | 4 | Not Mentioning a Word (隻字不提) | Ou Heng & Joker Xue |
| Lars Huang | 2 | DO U | Ma Runhan |
| Lars Huang | 2 | Hertz 1520 (赫茲1520) | Luo Jingwen |
| Shan Yichun | 2 | Asking Knowingly (明知故問) | Jace Guo |
| Shan Yichun | 2 | Lifelong Loneliness (終身孤獨) | Ye Qing Sai Lan |
| Zhou Shen | 2 | Forget Me (忘了我) | Jiang Haonan |
| Zhou Shen | 2 | Not Mentioning a Word (隻字不提) | Ou Heng & Joker Xue |
| Chen Linong | 1 | Nothing Left (没有了) | Mooney |
| Jane Zhang | 1 | Asking Knowingly (明知故問) | Jace Guo |
| Dong Jiahong | 1 | Don't Keep Feeling Crestfallen (你不要垂頭喪氣的) | Dong Jiahong |
| Yao Xiaotang | 1 | Farewell My Concubine (霸王別姬) | Joker Xue |
| Liu Duan Duan | 1 | Farewell My Concubine (霸王別姬) | Joker Xue |

### Ratings

Melody Journey: Season 1 Ratings :
| Episode # | Network | Time slot | CSM71 | CSM71 | CSM 35 | CSM 35 | Ref. |
| Episode # | Network | Time slot | Rating | Ranking | Rating | Ranking | Ref. |
| 1 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 1.95 | 1 | 2.16 | 1 | |
| 2 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 2.12 | 1 | 2.36 | 1 | |
| 3 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 1.79 | 1 | 1.99 | 1 | |
| 4 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 2.23 | 1 | 2.51 | 1 | |
| 5 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 1.96 | 1 | 2.20 | 1 | |
| 6 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 2.41 | 1 | 2.73 | 1 | |
| 7 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 2.17 | 1 | 2.43 | 1 | |
| 8 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 2.19 | 2 | 2.45 | 2 | |
| 9 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 1.98 | 1 | 2.24 | 1 | |
| 10 | Jiangsu Satellite TV | Sundays, 9:00pm CST | 2.31 | 1 | 2.63 | 1 | |