Shanghai-born Joker Xue is known for a smooth baritone and plethora of sensitive, heartfelt Mandopop ballads. While his talent is undisputed—and obvious from his 2006 debut—the 2010s finally saw his music reach wider audiences with groundbreaking hits like “演員 (Actor)” where his dulcet tones glide over signature orchestral arrangements. Ballads are a mainstay of Mandopop, but Xue still creates new possibilities for the genre with his imaginative lyrical metaphors and unconventional-yet-extravagant melodic arcs—all adding up to an inimitable style.