The formula is simple with A-Lin: write her a tear-jerking power ballad or a fever pitch-reaching rock song and just wait for her to blast it out like a cannon. She’s been dubbed a ‘born diva’, has been compared to the likes of A-Mei, Taiwan’s long time reigning ballad queen, and, in many ways, is like a Formosa version of Whitney Houston (sans debilitating drug addiction, obviously).

She stands out among the series of saccharine Taiwanese idol princesses – mostly because she can actually sing – but partly because of her aboriginal heritage, her poised demeanour and mature, womanly appearance. But her real gift is in the powerful (yet sensual) way she commands a song.

A-Lin’s first big hit came in 2006 with the turbulent rock ballad Guiltless Heartbreak and from then on, has steadily released album after album, and has also dabbled in song-writing.

In general, you know what you’re going to get – half heart-wrenching ballads and half Taiwanese rock with a few nuances sprinkled in − indeed, your typical diva stuff. Arthur Tam 

A-Lin plays KITEC on December 20 and 21. Tickets: 3128 8288; hkticketing.com.