Zi Yu’s “Quagmire” Becomes Billboard China and TME’s First “Star Power Monthly Selection”

Zi Yu’s single “Quagmire” rose to number one in the Vol.01 September edition of the Star Power Monthly Selection—an initiative presented by Billboard China in collaboration with Tencent Music’s QQ Music and JOOX. The track’s mix of nostalgic melody and candid lyricism has struck a chord with listeners across platforms. Below, Li Shi Jue, who wrote “Quagmire,” reflects on the song’s origins, the recording, and what he hopes listeners take away from it.

Were you surprised by how widely “Quagmire” connected with listeners, and what do you think made it so affecting?

Li Shi Jue: I felt a mild surprise, though not complete astonishment—this piece was composed some years ago. Its melody leans on a retro-pop sensibility that’s easy to hum, paired with plainspoken lyrics that map to everyday feelings. I believe the song’s power comes from that marriage: an unadorned, memorable tune and an earnest delivery from Zi Yu. We never set out to craft an anthem; we tried only to capture a very human, stuck moment. Apparently, many people recognized themselves in that honesty.

What central emotion or idea did you want the song to communicate? Where did the inspiration originate?

Li Shi Jue: The song was born from moments of repeated sorrow and the sensation of circling the same pain. I wanted to render that loop—the late-night wakefulness, the bittersweet dreams, the small details that make grief tangible. Inspiration came from life’s fragments: friends grappling with setbacks, late-night impulses erased from social feeds, my own stuckness at the desk. Instead of insisting on escape, the song explores the bravery of existing within that mire. Sometimes, if you stay still long enough, seeds find a way to take root.

When you create music, what do you prioritize? Does “Quagmire” reflect that approach?

Li Shi Jue: Above all I value emotional fidelity and clarity of expression. Early in my career I chased experimental textures; now I often favor simplicity because it frequently communicates more directly. For me, it’s not flashy technique but the precise emotional detail—a small, truthful line that lands. “Quagmire” exemplifies that: it relies on plain, concrete moments that give feeling weight, rather than grand declarations.

What unique qualities did Zi Yu bring to the recording?

Li Shi Jue: Zi Yu contributed a rare blend of youthful immediacy and restraint. I wrote the song with a somewhat old-fashioned melodic sensibility, and his modern vocal colors created a compelling contrast. Instead of overflowing with dramatic force, he chooses subtle inflections—a tiny tremor, a breath held—that make the interior struggle more believable. That quietness amplifies the song’s emotional truth.

What would you like to say to listeners who relate to the song or are going through their own “Quagmire”?

Li Shi Jue: If you’re inside that muddy, repeating season, allow yourself time—storms often pass with time, not force. Don’t unsettle what’s already been left behind; sometimes distance helps pain become part of your story rather than its whole. Recognize that you are not alone in sinking at times; many journeys include stretches where forward motion feels impossible. Name where you are, look at the ground beneath you—there may be more there than you expect—and when courage returns, step forward at your own pace.

Do you follow any consistent habits when songwriting, and how do you handle doubt or critique?

Li Shi Jue: I rarely force a fixed process. Lyrics and melody might arrive together or one after the other; what matters is preserving the first honest impulse. I try to capture that initial spark quickly because endless revision risks diluting the original feeling. Criticism is inevitable—useful critique helps only when it clarifies intention. Ultimately, I aim for each song to speak its distinct truth rather than fit a template.

With “Quagmire,” Li Shi Jue and Zi Yu have fashioned a song that balances vulnerability and restraint, a track that quietly invites listeners to find reflection, not answers. As the single continues to circulate, it also signals the emergence of a young artist with a voice that resonates across generations.