Student’s door-to-door Chinese ballads break down barriers, win fans and lamb chops

Kieran Michael MacNeill, a 22-year-old computer science student from Calgary, started serenading residents in Mandarin in Richmond, B.C. with the intention of overcoming potential awkwardness and being perceived as a "weirdo." When he sang the sentimental 1980s ballad, "A Spray of Plum Blossoms," a video of his performance by friend Jason Chen garnered millions of views online. This sparked interest in both his singing ability and his willingness to learn Chinese.

MacNeill, who has learned Mandarin by using Google Translate and watching YouTube videos, received impressive reactions from residents, some even sharing food with him. One 81-year-old woman, who had immigrated to Canada in the 1980s, expressed that it was the first time a white person had sung in Chinese to her, calling it a shocking cultural experience.

Despite some residents initially thinking he was a salesman, the overwhelming positive reactions from those who enjoyed his performances have encouraged MacNeill to continue learning the language. He believes that showing genuine interest in Chinese culture and language has allowed him to connect with the community more effectively, revealing their warm and welcoming nature.