In May, Auckland in the Southern Hemisphere was in the midst of winter, yet the cold could not dampen the audience's enthusiasm. After six months of preparation, Jonathan Lee's exclusive concert in New Zealand finally took the stage in grand fashion at the Spark Arena.
Every guest attending this concert shared countless ties with KVB Kunlun International—some were clients who had been with the company for over a decade, others were partners from various fields. Brought together by KVB Kunlun International's invitation, everyone gathered in the warm atmosphere of friends reuniting, jointly anticipating Jonathan Lee's first-ever performance in New Zealand.
The concert opened with the Kristin Children's Choir performing "Song of Peace." The children's pure and crystal-clear voices touched everyone's heart—a gesture through which KVB Kunlun International conveyed the power of charity. This was followed by "Firefly," whose lively and joyful rhythm instantly filled the entire venue with youthful energy. The unique opening and moving warm-up songs left the audience even more eager for the concert to come.
One concert, sixteen songs, boundless emotion in return!
Dressed in white, holding a wooden guitar, he raised his hand, plucked the strings, and began to sing: "You are the angel of my life." As his slightly weathered voice filled the venue, the audience responded with thunderous applause, welcoming Big Brother to the stage. When the song ended, he greeted them: "Hello everyone, I'm the one who writes the songs." His humorous greeting drew laughter from the entire crowd.
As soon as the intro to "Crossing the Ocean to See You" began, the audience recognized it: "Ah! This is my favorite song." For this reunion, I even practiced my breathing for the moment we meet, over and over. With a single line, Jonathan Lee captured the feeling of loved ones and friends reuniting after a long separation, moving many women in the audience to quietly wipe away tears.
When the melody of "Love Like the Tide" rang out, it sparked a full-venue sing-along, leaving the audience thoroughly exhilarated.
Crossing one mountain after another, walking over one slope after the next—"The Hill" is Jonathan Lee's journey, it is KVB Kunlun International's journey, and it is everyone's journey too. "Only after crossing the hill do you find no one waiting; the endless chatter, the sorrow of time slipping away." The long-held thoughts in everyone's memories flowed forth, one by one, along with his song.
As "The Hill" concluded, the lights dimmed and Jonathan Lee waved goodbye. But the audience, still wanting more, kept waving their glow sticks. The venue transformed into a sea of shimmering lights, radiant as the Milky Way, as the crowd chanted "Jonathan Lee, Jonathan Lee" again and again. Amid the calls, Jonathan Lee returned to the stage. Before he could even settle in, a fan holding flowers ran out from the side of the stage—it turned out to be renowned Phoenix TV host Zeng Jingyi.
Taking the flowers, Jonathan Lee smiled and said: "Kunlun International, Money Journal, turning stone into gold"—a single line that revealed the connection between Zeng Jingyi and KVB Kunlun International, sending the whole venue into laughter. "Tonight, Big Brother's songs are like a shower of rain, falling into my heart, blossoming and bearing fruit—fruits of feeling." A few words from the host spoke straight to the hearts of the audience. This exchange of wit between two talented individuals brought Big Brother's encore to an even warmer pitch.
For the final encore, Jonathan Lee dedicated "All of You" and "A Song for Myself" to every member of the audience. This one-of-a-kind musical feast came to a close amid a chorus of admiration. "Tonight was truly thrilling. I'd told my friends before that I absolutely had to see a Jonathan Lee concert in my lifetime—thank you, KVB Kunlun International, for helping me fulfill this wish!" KVB Kunlun International client Mr. Xu couldn't help but flood his WeChat Moments to "show off."
Another client, Mr. Shen, who had partnered with KVB Kunlun International for eight years, remarked after the concert: "Jonathan Lee's songs have accompanied the growth of my life, and KVB Kunlun International has accompanied the growth of my career. Tonight was a joyful reunion with two dear friends, and it was also a gift of middle age from KVB Kunlun International. Having finally understood Jonathan Lee, I can now bid a complete farewell to my youth."
A feast to honor our original aspiration; simple lyrics and melodies to measure our footprints!
New Zealand is where KVB Kunlun International first got its start. As the company successfully approaches its 20th year, this one-of-a-kind concert was a gift to clients and partners, as well as a gift to KVB Kunlun International itself. Every step of the way, the gratifying achievements KVB Kunlun International has made across multiple fields are the fruit of the joint efforts of all its clients, employees, investors, and partners—for which KVB Kunlun International is deeply grateful!
Twenty years is no short span, yet the road ahead is even longer. In the days to come, KVB Kunlun International will continue to advance in unison with Chinese communities around the world and create brilliance together.
[Behind the Scenes] The Jonathan Lee Concert by the Numbers You Didn't Know!
From January 2 to May 29, 2018—nearly 6 months from planning, preparation, and production to completion.
On the night of the performance, more than 130 venue staff were mobilized;
Jonathan Lee's performance team of 26;
A local lighting and sound production team of 12 from One Bird Production;
All 50 employees of KVB Kunlun International New Zealand (including 3 interns);
A team of 50 university student volunteers;
A Spark Arena project team of 5;
The Kristin School Children's Choir with 33 children, 1 conducting teacher, 1 team leader, and the principal and his wife.
The concert welcomed 2,888 invited guests,
with 300 distinguished guests from all walks of life at the VIP reception;
Jonathan Lee performed 16 beloved songs,
in 1 hour and 45 minutes of uninterrupted, spectacular singing.
Thanks to our media partners and partners from all sectors for their heartfelt support,
KVB Kunlun International forges ahead and never stops,
advancing in unison with you!
