Shin's a straight-talker and a hard-rocker

PHOTO: APB Singapore

In a public relations-obsessed era where most Mandopop celebrities stick to overly tactful and diplomatic replies, Taiwanese rocker Shin is a refreshing anomaly.

The 41-year-old powerhouse singer-songwriter, whose real name is Su Chien-Hsin, doesn’t wrap his words around a bouquet of flowery lingo.

He simply says it as it is – no holds barred.

When quizzed by LOUD if he had ever received professional training prior to becoming an artiste, the strapping dude – he boasts a 1.91m frame – said he “signed up for vocal classes” during his teenage years, but discontinued after just one lesson.

“I stopped the minute I discovered I sing way better than my teacher,” said Shin over the phone from his home in Taipei.