We really didn't know who was going to win until the moment they announced the winners. In fact, I was the most amateur contestant among the finalists.

I was thinking of an alternative concept for this contest. Eventually, I decided to do it underwater.

For both Moscow and Beijing, their fundamental interest is to have a normal working relationship with the United States. The problem is that if you look at the triangular [equation] both Russia and China actually need more from the American side than perhaps from each other.

I compose and he doesn't compose. I cannot admire the composition of his music, only a few songs are good.

I prefer simple, pure composing. No action notes.

She was older than me and went to the United States first, and she was the main reason that I chose to go to the States. When we later broke up, I felt so sad and frustrated and wrote this piece. The song describes the mood of a sad man sitting in front of the sea, willing to cry.