Her music career began at the young age of 11. She acted in her first film () at 14. In the 1930s, she was a popstar icon singing songs like . By 1934 a singing competition was sponsored in Shanghai, where she won by more than 200 votes taking the crown. She was known for having a mastery of the language and a clarity in expressing lyrics, which helped her gain many fans. In 1936 she toured Southeast Asia with the Bright Moonlight Song and Dance Troupe. A year later, she then joined the Green Bird Theatre Troupe ().