Descended from a musical family, 18-year-old singer G.E.M. has quickly become one of the most popular Cantopop starlets in town. With her new album, “18,” due at the end of the month, she talks to June Ng about becoming an adult. 

G.E.M. stands for “Get Everybody Moving”—it’s what I want to achieve with my music. But I won’t know if I’ve succeeded in making people move until I have my first concert. My real name is Gloria Tang Chi-kei.

I was born in Shanghai. My dad is a Hongkonger. My family reunited in Hong Kong when I was 4.

I wrote my first song when I was 5. It was about what happens when people die. They drink a magic potion and become fairies in heaven. And when they die as fairies they drink the potion and become human again. It’s inspired by Sailor Moon.

My mom and grandma were opera singers, and I’ve always been into music. Since I was 12, I would join all music competitions because it was always another chance to perform.

I’ve had a clear goal all along—to have a career in music. Some people might have really good grades and study really hard, but they don’t know what they want.

I’m most inspired by my piano teacher. I used to think of becoming one too—she told me that you don’t have to pay taxes if you’re a tutor, and it sounds like a good deal.

My grades are very good. They could be better if I wasn’t so lazy and didn’t sleep as much.

I signed to this record label at 15 because they were smart enough to approach my mom instead of me. Other companies only talked to me, forgetting that I was underage and couldn’t make decisions.

The biggest challenge after joining showbiz was losing weight. I love to eat, and the food I love the most is fattening. Some singers don’t have to care about their looks, but I want to look better on stage.

The other challenge is etiquette. I used to study at a girls’ school where everyone acted quite boyishly—that’s how the press got a few upskirt shots of me because I wasn’t mindful at all.

I’ve only dated one person before—it lasted for one year and nine months. I don’t even know why we got together in the first place. We always talked on phone until 6am, then I realized he was pursuing me.

We drifted apart because we had no time to see each other. I never received a really sweet gift from him. It was like he only bought expensive stuff for me without much thought—like accessories that I wouldn’t wear.

I won’t proactively pursue anyone. I quite like being secretly in love with someone. You know, if that person suddenly does nice things for you, the joy is doubled because he’s not obliged to do that for you if you’re not a couple. 

I recently turned 18. That means I can drink! In the past people snatched my glass away before toasts during events.

I find red wine disgusting. And I can’t tell the difference between champagne and white wine.

I’m very emotional and dread being bored. When it happens, I write my feelings into a song. Even if you don’t know music, write about it in your own words. It’s therapeutic.

I haven’t missed out on my adolescence. I go to work instead of going to school, but when I am off I like the same things as everyone else: going out, and talking on MSN. 

People criticize my pronunciation, claiming that I sound like I’m tongue-tied. But it’s a problem related to my left jaw and I can’t get the surgery until I’m 21. Really, there’s nothing I can do at the moment.

If there’s one thing I’d like to change about Hong Kong, I’d get rid of malicious talk. People are far too stressed and they transform their negative energy into unnecessary verbal attacks.

If someone hates you, regardless of what you do they will still hate you.