The Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, MOC announced the nominees for the 35th Golden Melody Awards on May 16th. This year, 303 companies, 1,568 albums, and 24,071 works were submitted for the competition. After three stages of review by the jury—initial review, qualification review, and re-evaluation over three months, 148 works were nominated for 27 awards. Among them, Asia Muse Entertainment Co., Ltd. stood out with 12 nominations, and the album "Flow" led with 8 nominations. Minister of Culture Shih Che announced that this year's Special Contribution Awards will go to Mr. Liu Chīng-chíh and Ms. Cheng Hwa Jiuan.

Mr. Liu Chīng-chíh is a pioneering arranger in the Taiwanese-language music scene and has produced numerous popular instrumental albums, including well-known titles such as "Double Stereo Electronic Organ" and "Million Guitars." His works are characterized by their strong emotional impact and have become familiar background music in the lives of Taiwanese people. Liu has arranged thousands of songs, including classics like Yeh Chi-Tien's "Ai Piah Cia Eh Yia," Jody Chiang's "You Must Endure" and "Remastered," and Chen Hsiao-yun's "Ai tsing cha cha." These classic hits often have lively rhythms that resonate with the shared emotions of everyday people. In bustling night markets, at roadside noodle stands, in taxi cabs, and in the driver's seats of long-haul trucks, these songs bring comfort and companionship to hardworking individuals. Thank you, Mr. Liu, for defining the "authentic Taiwanese flavor" in the hearts of the people. This year's GMA Special Contribution Award is dedicated to honoring Mr. Liu, who has been tirelessly working in the industry for over sixty years as a musician.

Ms. Cheng Hwa Jiuan was a rare professional creator during the golden age of Taiwanese pop music in the 1980s and 1990s, excelling in both lyric writing and composing. She was also a talented singer. Her classic works, such as Michelle Pan's "Thank You for Loving Me," Sarah Chen's "Be wise, be easy," Zheng Yi's "Heaven," Stella Chang's "La California" and "Men's Talk," Jody Jiang's "Remastered," and Ukulele's "Youth Travel," are not only widely sung but also marked turning points in the singers' careers. Her collaboration with lyricist Shen Zhi on "This Road of Love" became a milestone in the era-defining "New Taiwanese Song" genre.

At a time when women were generally still oppressed by society, Cheng Hwa Jiuan's talent and courage established a high level of professionalism and dignity for female creators in the competitive music industry. Her works often portray brave and independent female figures, inspiring listeners to embrace a new era of openness and diversity, and quietly propelling societal change in Taiwan. This year's GMA Special Contribution Award honors her exceptional talent and the inspiration she brought us.

In the technical category of recording awards, the "Best Vocal Album Recording" Award had 375 entries, and the "Best Instrumental Album Recording" Award had 59 entries, with 5 nominees for each award. The judges for this category noted that the nominees for the Best Vocal Album Recording Award showcased proficient recording, post-production, and mixing techniques. Each nominated work aimed to create a unique identity for the performer through innovative soundstage design and overall sound engineering, exploring the emotional boundaries of sound and narrating the album's story in full, providing a high-quality listening experience. The nominees for the Best Instrumental Album Recording Award demonstrated impressive sound combinations through excellent recording techniques, each with a distinct personal character, and offered unique interpretations of frequencies and soundscapes, elevating music beyond words and images to create a deeply moving auditory experience.