Blessed with an intoxicating voice that has an enigmatic quality to reach deep into the soul of listeners, she is also sensitive enough to compose expressive songs about both real life and fantasy with poetic lyrics.

Mao Buyi, one of the coaches on the show, says that he expected Zhang's victory because of her unique voice, high-quality original songs and the aura of confidence she always displays on stage.

"The show highlights originality in contestants' performances by encouraging them to adapt or write songs, which helps add sparkle to China's music industry," says the 25-year-old coach, who is himself a singer-songwriter.

Born in a small country in Heilongjiang province, Mao Buyi knows how important it is for a singer to equip themselves with the ability to write lyrics and melodies, create instrumental hooks and produce backing tracks.

He was crowned the show's first champion back in 2017, when the field of competitors was just male artists.

He performed 14 original tracks on the show and his song Xiaochou (roughly translated as "getting rid of the blues") became an almost instant hit, being streamed 100 million times within a week of its debut on the show.

He was an overnight success, with the show propelling him from humble nursing intern in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, to musical stardom.

Unlike the almost immediate recognition enjoyed by the coach, Zhang was already known to the public. In 2013, a 12-year-old Zhang performed on a variety show titled Let's Sing Kids and impressed the judges with her massive, high-pitched voice.