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Sense & Sound: Five Ways into Taiwanese Pop MusicTeaching is absolutely worthwhile. Because I see hope; I believe these students will find their sense of purpose in this generation.%u2014Jamie Hsuehvisibility, they can then pivot toward creating the content they truly want to make.%u201cIn the record label era, things worked the same way: artists would wait until they became popular before making an album that truly expressed who they were,%u201d said Ting. %u201cThe market reflects what resonates with people, but these days it%u2019s often demonized, as if %u2018the market%u2019 automatically means something lowbrow. But making something accessible and widely appealing is actually really hard to do.%u201dWu, who frequently mentors up-and-coming lyricists through programs and workshops, adds that to truly understand where you stand as a creator, you need to listen widely. He often encourages young lyricists to imagine themselves as Golden Melody Awards judges, listening to every album released in Taiwan that year. %u201cMap out the musical landscape in your head. Figure out where you fit, what makes you distinct. That%u2019s how you really come to see your strengths and weaknesses.%u201dApart from writing songs and playing in a band, understanding the ins and outs of the industry is just as importantWanting to make music has never been only about %u201ccreating.%u201d It also requires long-term learning and accumulation in areas like legal knowledge, copyright transactions, and behindthe-scenes industry skills. Ting suggests that different university departments think about how their fields can connect with the music industry. For example, law departments could teach copyright protection, while international