Chinese native Laura Chan (23) has chosen to cover former idol Agnes Chan’s (55) 1972 hit “Poppy Flowers” for her debut CD, available for release on November 25th. Agnes Chan, who hails originally from Hong Kong, captivated young men throughout Japan with the song at her own debut 38 years ago.

Dressed in a white mini skirt, knee-high socks, and 7-inch lacquered wooden clogs like those that Agnes wore in the ’70s, a visibly nervous Laura Chan appeared together with the former idol at a press conference on the 19th.


With the release of her first CD drawing near, Laura expressed in a letter to Agnes her wish to include the song. The former idol readily agreed and even helped Laura as her choreographer and singing coach for the song.

Whereas Agnes comes originally from Hong Kong and speaks Cantonese, Laura was born in the Shanghai area. The two communicate with each other through Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. Despite a 32-year age difference, they have developed a close relationship which people have likened to mother and daughter.

After the public recording, Agnes gave the young idol advice for her future career: “Every idol must live with 5 conditions: 1) Always smile; 2) No nude photos; 3) No boys; 4) Love your fans; 5) Be completely absorbed in what you’re doing.”

On hearing this, Laura worried, “But if you can’t have a boyfriend, you don’t lose your girlishness, do you?“ Agnes, adored for her innocence and often regarded as the top idol of the ’70s, responded: “An idol’s one-sided love is the most lovable expression.”


source : tokyohive