SINGAPORE, 30 March 2026 – Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and Mediacorp jointly present Tuesday Report: Encounter Under The Stars, a new seven-part documentary series that traces the evolution of Singapore’s distinctive xinyao movement from the 1980s — a time when heartfelt campus songs became a powerful expression of youth, identity and belonging.

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, attended the premiere of the documentary on 30 March 2026 as Guest-of-Honour. And Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth and Ministry of Transport, Mr Baey Yam Keng, was a special guest at the event. Other guests who attended the event included seminal figures featured in the documentary series such as acclaimed singer-songwriter Liang Wern Fook, veteran music producer Billy Koh, as well as renowned songwriter-producers Lee Wei Song and Lee Si Song.

Airing from 31 March 2026, 8.30pm on Channel 8 every Tuesday, the series features in-depth interviews, rare archival footage, intimate conversations and timeless melodies of xinyao to paint a vivid portrait of how a grassroots music movement grew into a defining chapter of Singapore’s cultural history.

Building on SCCC and Tuesday Report’s successful collaboration spotlighting pioneer singers in 2024, the new series further unfolds  the rich  tapestry of Singapore’s Mandarin music, celebrating  its cultural significance. Today, decades after its emergence, xinyao remains an important component of Singapore’s Chinese cultural identity and a lasting foundation for the nation’s contemporary Mandarin pop music.      

Director of SCCC Research Unit Mr Chen Hwai Liang said: “The xinyao phenomenon emerged in the early 1980s, less than two decades after Singapore’s independence. As a ground-up, homegrown music movement, it brought together young Singaporeans to compose and perform songs we could truly call our own. In those formative years of nation-building, these melodies helped foster a strong sense of community and a distinct cultural identity. Its enduring appeal is evident in the huge audiences it continues to attract today.”

Ms Leck Chye Peng, Deputy Chief Editor, Mediacorp said: “Music has a unique way of carrying memories across generations, and xinyao is deeply woven into the fabric of so many Singaporean lives. Through this series, we hope to bring both longtime fans and new audiences closer to the songs and the stories behind them, ensuring that this legacy continues to reach and resonate with viewers for years to come.”

For more information on Tuesday Report: Encounter Under The Stars and photos of the event, please refer to the media kit here.