Stefanie Sun



Singapore Infopedia

by Koh, Jaime

Background

Sng Ee Tze (b. 23 July 1978–), better known as Stefanie Sun Yan Zi (孙燕姿), is a Singaporean singer said to be the nation’s most successful musical export. When Sun debuted on the music scene in 2000, she became an instant Mandopop sensation in Singapore and Taiwan. She chalked up impressive record sales and won numerous best newcomer awards in not only Singapore and Taiwan but also China and Hong Kong. Despite periodic absences from the music scene, Sun continues to be one of Singapore’s most popular singers.1

Early years
Sun was born to a teacher couple who have since retired. Her father was an engineering lecturer at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and her mother taught at the Institute of Technical Education. Sun is the second of three girls. She attended Raffles Girls’ School and St Andrew’s Junior College before graduating from NTU in 2000 with a business degree, specialising in marketing.2

Sun’s musical education started at a young age. She began piano lessons when she was five years old and attained grade 8 in 1997.3 She also loved singing. In one interview, Sun recalled, “I was always singing. I remember my primary school classmates used to get very irritated and say, ‘Can you stop it?”4

At age 19, Sun enrolled in the Lee Wei Song School of Music to pursue her interest in singing. Although Sun had not enrolled with the thought of becoming a professional singer, her vocal quality stood out and attracted the attention of the school’s founders, Paul Lee Wei Song and Peter Lee Si Song. She was then placed in the Artiste and Repertoire Class where the most promising young singers were groomed, and the Lee brothers became her mentors.5

In 1999, the brothers recorded demo tapes for Sun and sent them to two record companies. One of the companies, Warner Music Taiwan, showed interest and signed her on. However, Sun did not start recording immediately. Instead, she spent a few months working as an intern at the company as part of her final-year business degree requirements. According to Sun, besides handling admin work, she also “made coffee, photocopied documents and followed the unsuspecting marketing staff around when foreign artistes came to town for album promotions”. The stint gave her useful insights into the music industry.6

Stellar rise
When Sun’s eponymous debut album Yan Zi (燕姿)7 was released in June 2000, it flew off the shelves, selling more than 400,000 copies in Taiwan within three months. The album also topped the bestselling chart in Taiwan for five consecutive weeks. In Singapore, the album was launched in July and had achieved platinum status by September, with over 15,000 copies sold.8 The hit song of the album, “Tian Hei Hei” (“天黑黑”; “Cloudy Sky”), incorporated parts of a Hokkien folk song of the same title. Penned by her music mentor Peter Lee, “Tian Hei Hei” became one of Sun’s signature tunes and helped propel her to stardom.9

Her subsequent albums, My Desired Happiness (我要的幸福; Wo Yao De Xin Fu) and Kite (風箏; Feng Zheng), released in December 2000 and July 2001 respectively,10 also did well. By November 2001, sales of her three albums had exceeded 1.5 million copies in Taiwan, and she had picked up more than 20 awards from across Asia. Sun was also in such high demand for product endorsements that she was labelled the “Queen of Ads” in Taiwan, as she endorsed at least 10 products simultaneously at the time. Sun’s spectacular rise in popularity had media observers saying then that she had overtaken Kit Chan, Tanya Chua and Mavis Hee to become Singapore’s most successful singing star.11

Sun’s strong album sales paved the way for successful live concerts. In December 2000, six months after her debut, Sun became the first Singaporean to perform at the Zhongzheng Memorial Hall (中正纪念堂; Zhong Zheng Ji Nian Tang; also known as the
National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall) in Taipei, Taiwan. Sun is only the third singer to perform at the sprawling venue, after Hong Kong’s Jacky Cheung and Taiwan’s A-mei. It was her first public concert, and more than 20,000 people braved the rain to attend the event, in a testament to Sun’s appeal.12

In March 2002, Sun held her first paying concert in Taiwan and all 20,000 tickets were snapped up. The concert then went on a world tour that also included Malaysia, Hong Kong, China and the United States. The Singapore leg of the tour played to a sellout crowd of 8,000 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.13

Recognised as one of Singapore’s most famous faces, Sun was invited to sing the national day parade theme song for two consecutive years: “We Will Get There” in 2002 and “One United People” in 2003.14

Sun’s appeal has been attributed to not only her unique voice and good looks, but also her pleasant nature. As one industry player put it, “She has a unique singing tone, a million-dollar smile, and a very good and friendly attitude. These elements are the hardest to put together because most singers have only one or the other. But Stefanie has them all”.15

Burnout and comeback
However, Sun’s success came with a price. Her hectic career affected her personal life and left her feeling burnt out by 2002. Shortly after releasing her seventh album, The Moment, Sun announced in 2003 that she would be taking a one-year break.16 During her break from recording albums, she established Make Music, a talent management agency and production house.17

In 2004, Sun staged her comeback with another self-titled album, Stefanie, which included three songs she wrote. The album marked Sun’s breakaway from the catchy pop tunes and soft ballads that characterised her early albums, as she ventured into a variety of musical styles, including folk, lounge, rock and world music.18 Sun’s brief sabbatical did not dim her popularity, with Stefanie selling millions of copies in Asia.19 Sun released another album, titled A Perfect Day (完美的一天; Wan Mei De Yi Tian), and went on her second world tour in 2005.20 That year, she became the first Singaporean to win the Best Mandarin Female Singer award at Taiwan’s prestigious Golden Melody Awards.21

In March 2007, Sun released another album, Against the Light (逆光; Ni Guang), before taking a break.22 In 2009, she staged another world tour, and released a new album, titled It’s Time (是時候; Shi Shi Hou), in March 2011.23  The comeback album was another success and Sun clinched five awards at the 2011 Singapore Hit Awards, including Album of the Year and Most Popular Female Artiste.24 In the same year, Sun married her Dutch-Indonesian boyfriend of five years, Nadim van der Ros.25 She took another break shortly after announcing her pregnancy in May 2012, and gave birth to her first child, a boy, in October that year.26


Sun returned to the music scene in September 2013, about a year after giving birth.27 In February 2014, Sun released her comeback album Kepler (克卜勒; Ke Bo Le) and embarked on a world tour. Demonstrating that she still had star power, the 20,000 tickets of her first two shows, which were held in Taipei, were sold out within an hour of going on sale.28 Sun’s show in Singapore was staged at the new National Stadium in July and, although it was her biggest-ever concert in Singapore, all 20,000 tickets were snapped up.29 Later that year, she picked up five awards at the Singapore Hit Awards, including Most Popular Female Artiste and Best Female Vocalist.30

Since her debut in 2000, Sun has won more than 200 awards and sold over 30 million copies of her albums.31

Iconic status and charity work
Hailed as a Singapore icon, Sun had an orchid hybrid named after her in 2006. The Dendrobium Stefanie Sun is the first orchid to be named after a local celebrity.32 After her third successful comeback in 2014, Sun was also honoured with a wax figure of herself at the newly opened Madame Tussauds Singapore wax museum.33

Using her popularity for good, Sun has actively supported charitable causes, such as through her work as a goodwill ambassador for Mercy Relief and World Vision. After the Sichuan Earthquake in 2008, for instance, she helped to raise funds for reconstruction projects in the Ziyang prefecture.34

Selected awards
2000: Most Promising Artiste, Singapore Hit Awards.35
2000: Best Newcomer, TVB8 Mandarin Music Awards (Hong Kong).36
2001:
Best New Artiste, Shenzhen Awards (China).37
2001:
Best New Artiste, Golden Melody Awards (Taiwan).38
2001:
Best New Artiste; Best Local Act, Singapore Hit Awards.39
2001: Young Woman Achiever, Her World Magazine (Singapore).40
2002: Best Local Artiste; Most Popular Female Artiste; Best-selling Female Artiste, Singapore Hit Awards.41
2003: Most Popular Female Singer, Global Chinese Music Awards.42
2003: Most Popular Female Artiste, Channel V Chinese Music Awards (China).43
2003: Best Local Act; Best Performing Regional Female Artiste; Most Popular Female Artiste, Singapore Hit Awards.44
2004: Best Local Artiste, Singapore Hit Awards.45
2004: Most Popular Female Singer, Global Chinese Music Awards.46
2004: Favourite Artist of Singapore, MTV Asia Awards.47
2005: Top 5 Most Popular Female Artiste, Global Chinese Music Awards.48
2005: Favourite Artist of Singapore, MTV Asia Awards.49
2006: Most Popular Female Artiste, Global Chinese Music Awards.50

2006: Merit winner, The Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore Award.51
2007: Most Popular Female Singer, Global Chinese Music Awards.52
2007: Most Popular Female Singer, Global Chinese Music Awards.53
2007: Singapore Youth Award (Arts and Culture), National Youth Council (Singapore).54
2008: Favourite Artist of Singapore, MTV Asia Awards.55
2011: Most Popular Female Artiste; Asia Media Award; Best Album Producer, Singapore Hit Awards.56
2011: Young Achiever Award, Business China Awards.57
2014: Most Popular Female Artiste; Best Female Vocalist; Best Album, Singapore Hit Awards.58

Albums
2000: Yan Zi (燕姿)59

2000: My Desired Happiness (我要的幸福)60
2001: Kite (风筝)61
2002: Start (自選集)62
2002: Leave63
2003: To be continued (未完成)64
2003: The Moment65
2004: Stefanie66
2005: A Perfect Day (完美的一天)67
2006: My Story 200668
2007: Against the Light (逆光)69
2011: It’s Time (是時候)70
2014: Kepler (克卜勒)71



Author
Jaime Koh




References
1. 您猜中了吗? (2015, January 22). 新明日报. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/; Teo, P. L. (2001, November 25). What makes a big Sun and star. The Straits Times, p. 30. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Chia, E. (2006, January 11). Who loves the Sun? Not just Singaporeans. Across the region, songbird Stefanie's a bona fide star and, dare we say it, icon... Today. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/; Tan, C. (2014, December 14). Passion and power. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
2. Teo, P. L. (2000, September 8). Singer is celebrity graduand. The Straits Times, p. 46; Teo, P. L. (2001, November 25). What makes a big Sun and star. The Straits Times, p. 30; Chow, C. (2005, November 8). Sunny side up. The Straits Times, p. 2; Yeow, K. C. (2000, September 19). Golden girl. The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Music coach’s day in the Sun. (2000, September 10). The Straits Times, p. 22. Retrieved from NewsapaperSG; 孙燕姿一改往日造型 清新典雅造型登封面 (2008, August 12). 四川在线. Retrieved from Sichuan Daily Press Group website: http://ent.scol.com.cn/zs/20080812/2008812101120.htm
4. Chia, E. (2006, January 11). Who loves the Sun? Not just Singaporeans. Across the region, songbird Stefanie’s a bona fide star and, dare we say it, icon... Today. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
5. Music coach’s day in the Sun. (2000, September 10). The Straits Times, p. 22; Yeow, K. C. (2000, September 19). Golden girl. The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Yap, R. (2000, August 6). Single-minded success. Sunday Mail. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
6. Yap, R. (2000, August 6). Single-minded success. Sunday Mail. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/; Music coach’s day in the Sun. (2000, September 10). The Straits Times, p. 22; Sng, S. (2002, April 22). Is Sun going supernova? The Straits Times, p. 50. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
7. Stefanie has six shots at happiness. (2001, April 2), The Straits Times, p. 68. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Warner Music. (2014). 孫燕姿. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1521
8. Teo, P. L. (2000, September 8). Singer is celebrity graduand. The Straits Times, p. 46. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Warner Music. (2014). 孫燕姿. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1521
9. Goh, S. N. (2001, May 6). Sun shines at awards. The Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
10. Stefanie has six shots at happiness. (2001, April 2). The Straits Times, p. 68; Foo, S. (2001, July 13). Stefanie's (traffic) jam session. The New Paper, p. 32. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Warner Music. (2014). 風箏. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1374; Warner Music. (2014). 我要的幸福. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1532
11. Teo, P. L. (2001, November 25). What makes a big Sun and star. The Straits Times, p. 30. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
12. Tee, H. C. (2000, December 4). Sun shines despite showers. The Straits Times, p. 10; Sng, S. (2002, March 25). The world is her oyster. The Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
13. Sng, S. (2002, March 25). The world is her oyster. The Straits Times, p. 5; Stefanie Sun hot at home. (2002, April 28). The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
14. NDP 2002 theme song urges Singaporeans to overcome adversity. (2002, April 30). Channel NewsAsia; Stefanie Sun will sing and perform NDP 2003’s theme song ‘One United People’. (2003, June 11). Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
15. Teo, P. L. (2001, November 25). What makes a big Sun and star. The Straits Times, p. 30; Chow, C. (2005, November 8). Sunny side up. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Sunny side up; Rich, successful, charitable, caring, humble and happy all the time? How does Stefanie Sun do it? (2007, November 23). Today. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
16. Chia, E. (2006, January 11). Who loves the Sun? Not just Singaporeans. Across the region, songbird Stefanie's a bona fide star and, dare we say it, icon... Today; Fans packed Stefanie Sun’s mini-concert before her 1-year break. (2003, September 8). Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/; Warner Music. (2014). The Moment. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1360
17. Lee, S. (2004, December 18). Sun’s ready to shine. The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
18. Warner Music. (2014). Stefanie. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1387
19. 孙燕姿一改往日造型 清新典雅造型登封面. (2008, August 12). 四川在线. Retrieved from Sichuan Daily Press Group website: http://ent.scol.com.cn/zs/20080812/2008812101120.htm
20. Chia, E. (2006, January 11). Who loves the Sun? Not just Singaporeans. Across the region, songbird Stefanie's a bona fide star and, dare we say it, icon... Today. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/; Warner Music. (2014). 完美的一天. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1390
21. This Sun always rises. (2012, July 1). The New Paper. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
22. This Sun always rises. (2012, July 1). The New Paper. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/; Warner Music. (2014). . Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/4139
23. This Sun always rises. (2012, July 1). The New Paper; Stefanie Sun excited, but nervous about new songs. (2011, February 15). Taipei Times. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/; Kiss Radio FM99.9. (2015). Stefanie Sun / 孫燕姿. Retrieved from Kiss Radio website: http://www.kiss.com.tw/music/artist.php?id=4
24. Yong, N. (2011, November 14). Home-grown stars steal limelight. The Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
25. Ng, C., & Wong, R. (2011, May 9). I’ll be a virtuous wife, says Stef. MyPaper. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
26. Chan, B. (2014, February 20). Sun in full splendour. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
27.
Stef Sun to sign on with Universal. (2013, August 23). MyPaper. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/ 
28. Chan, B. (2014, February 20). Sun in full splendour. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Kiss Radio FM99.9. (2015). Stefanie Sun / 孫燕姿. Retrieved from Kiss Radio website: http://www.kiss.com.tw/music/artist.php?id=4.
29. Chan, B. (2014, April 4). Sun’s happy to be home. The Straits Times, p. 11. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Toh, C. (2014, July 6). Stefanie Sun 2014 Kepler World Tour | 4/5. Today. Retrieved from: http://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music/music-reviews/stefanie-sun-2014-kepler-world-tour-45
30. Chan, B. (2014, November 10). Hitting the right notes. The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
31. Tan, J. (2013, September 4). Stef Sun back with album by year’s end. MyPaper; This Sun always rises. (2012, July 1). The New Paper. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/ 
32. National Parks Board. (2006, December 16). Singapore singing sensation Stefanie Sun receives orchid named after her [Press release]. Retrieved from NParks website: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/news/2006/12/singapore-singing-sensation-stefanie-sun-receives-orchid-named-after-her
33. ‘Beautiful’ even in T-shirt and shorts. (2014, December 9). The New Paper. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/ 
34. Business China. (2011, January 11). Inaugural Business China Awards recipients: Business China Young Achiever Award. Retrieved from Business China website: http://www.businesschina.org.sg/bcawards/assets/Uploads/Young-Achiever-Stef-Sun.pdf; Khoo, L. (2011, January 11). S’pore pop export Stefanie wins young achiever award. The Business Times, p. 24; What's up this week: Charity: Watoto Concert of Hope. (2010, August 6). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Sunny side up; Rich, successful, charitable, caring, humble and happy all the time? How does Stefanie Sun do it? (2007, November 23). Today. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
35. Yeow, K. C. (2000, September 19). Golden girl. The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
36. Yeow, K. C. (2000, September 19). Golden girl. The Straits Times, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
37. Khoo, E. (2001, April 30). Golden days for Sun. The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
38. Goh, S. N. (2001, May 6). Sun shines at awards. The Straits Times, p. 5. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
39. Sun scores most hits. (2001, September 11). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
40. Cheah, U.-H. (2002, March 8). Sculptor, singer hailed as women of substance. The Business Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
41. Sun’s night. (2002, September 2). The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved fromNewspaperSG.
42. Still shining bright; Stefanie Sun named Most Popular Female Singer again. (2007, October 10). Today, p. 36. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
43. Zhang, K., & Chang, T. L. (2003, January 20). Pop stars win Chinese music awards in Shanghai. China Daily. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
44. Singapore Hit Awards 2003 winners. (2003, September 8). Today, p. 22. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
45. Chang, M. C. (2004, September 11). Does Stef really deserve to win?. The New Paper, p. 35. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
46. Sun is most popular female singer. (2004, September 6). The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
47. Sng, S., Loh, S., & Foong, W. W. (2004, February 15). Copycat boob flash gets boos. The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
48. Tan, T. (2005, September 5). Hot, starry night. Today, p. 36. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
49. Tay, M. (2005, February 5). Tsunami aid through music. Today, p. 52. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
50. Chia, E., & Tan, J. (2006, October 30). The skinny on Stefanie. Today, p. 32. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
51. Yin, J. (2006, March 30). Outstanding young persons feted. Today, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
52. Still shining bright. (2007, October 10). Today, p. 36. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
53. Still shining bright. (2007, October 10). Today, p. 36. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
54. This Sun always rises. (2012, July 1). The New Paper. Retrieved from Factiva via NLB’s eResources website: http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/
55. Chua, D. (2008, August 4). Sun shines once more. The Straits Times, p. 43. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
56. Toh, C. (2011, November 14). Sun shines after 4-year absence. Today, p. 21. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
57. Khoo, L. (2011, January 11). S’pore pop export Stefanie wins young achiever award. The Business Times, p. 24. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
58. Chan, B. (2014, November 10). Hitting the right notes. The Straits Times, p. 9. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
59. Warner Music. (2014). 孫燕姿. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1521
60. Warner Music. (2014). 我要的幸福. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1532
61. Warner Music. (2014). 風箏. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1374
62. Warner Music. (2014). 自選集. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1377
63. Warner Music. (2014). Leave. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1379
64. Warner Music. (2014).未完成. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1382
65. Warner Music. (2014). The Moment. Retrieved from Warner Music website:  http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1360
66. Warner Music. (2014). Stefanie. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1387
67. Warner Music. (2014). 完美的一天. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1390
68. Warner Music. (2004). My story 2006. Retrieved from Warner Music website: http://www.warnermusic.com.tw/store/item/1208
69. This Sun always rises. (2012, July 1). The New Paper. Retrieved from Factiva; Kiss Radio FM99.9. (2015). Stefanie Sun / 孫燕姿. Retrieved from Kiss Radio website: http://www.kiss.com.tw/music/artist.php?id=4
70. Chan, B. (2014, February 20). Sun in full splendour. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Kiss Radio FM99.9. (2015). Stefanie Sun / 孫燕姿. Retrieved from Kiss Radio website: http://www.kiss.com.tw/music/artist.php?id=4
71. Chan, B. (2014, February 20). Sun in full splendour. The Straits Times, p. 2. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Kiss Radio FM99.9. (2015). Stefanie Sun / 孫燕姿. Retrieved from Kiss Radio website: http://www.kiss.com.tw/music/artist.php?id=4



The information in this article is valid as at 9 March 2015 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.


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