SINGAPORE – Home-grown singer JJ Lin admitted that he once considered quitting show business due to frequent online attacks.

Lin, who made his debut in 2003 with his debut album, Music Voyager, disclosed this on a recent episode of the Chinese talk show Conghe Shuoqi. Lin was interviewed by host He Runfeng on the episode, which aired on July 11.

The 43-year-old said he took to heart the opinions of his fans, calling them part of his “music family” who have grown up with him.

JJ Lin said he took to heart the opinions of his fans, calling them part of his “music family” who have grown up with him.

Lin, who released his latest album Happily, Painfully After in 2023, said it is increasingly difficult to distinguish whether internet comments are sincere suggestions from his fans or malicious attacks from netizens.

“I mind what my family thinks of me when news gets distorted or when I am slandered for no apparent reason,” he said. “When I treat my fans as if they are my own family, I will definitely mind what they think because they may not know the real me.”

Lin said he was not blaming anyone for misleading his fans, but he was affected by the negativity.

“For a while, I seriously considered shutting down all my social media accounts,” he said.

At an emotional low, he asked himself several questions: “Should I continue singing? Should I continue to be an artiste? Should I release another album? Should I hold another concert?”

The singer, who is on his JJ20 World Tour in China, said he eventually chose to stay in the industry.

“It was a simple choice: Do I want to continue doing it? If I want to do so, then I have to face it and bear with it.”

Lin was also asked if he is concerned that his creativity will dry up. He said: “I don’t think about it. People may say I have no more inspiration or that there is no improvement in my work. However, it is dangerous if I believe what they say and doubt myself.”