After his star-making performance of the ending song to the hit TV series The Way We Were, Taiwanese singer-songwriter Eric Chou has become a major force in C-pop. For Chou, Lunar New Year is “a day to reunite with your family and eat hot pot and delicious food.” His family embraces deep traditions while celebrating the Spring Festival. “Every time I go out or see a relative, I have to wear something red,” he says. “I think it’s really fun! I take it seriously and really think about what to wear and how to dress. As a kid, I used to set off firecrackers in the alley with my cousins. It was so much fun for us to kind of create a New Year’s atmosphere. I feel nostalgic thinking about it.” When he’s not reminiscing and indulging in tradition, Chou uses the time off to unwind—which explains why he’s filled his playlist with such chill, mellow sounds. “For me, the [celebration] is very relaxing. Stress that builds up throughout the year can be let go during the holiday.” The pop star has also picked his song “Forever Beautiful” as his theme for 2020. “I wish everyone a happy Year of the Rat,” he says. "And I wish for everyone to be beautiful—physically, mentally, and spiritually.”