The song, released in 15 languages simultaneously, carries a deeply humanistic message promoting empathy and connection in a world where loneliness has quietly become a global epidemic.

Could You Lend Me a Smile is the first of six tracks from Miist’s project 6 Important Songs, inspired by the real-life story of a young Japanese office worker who died alone and remained undiscovered for months.

Disturbed by this tragedy, Miist asked herself: “Had anyone ever smiled at him?” That question led her to create this emotionally powerful song - a gentle yet profound call for people to relearn how to care for one another.

Miist, the first Chinese-born artist to enter the Billboard Adult Contemporary Top 25 in the U.S., began her professional music career at the age of 34.

She was discovered by legendary producer Narada Michael Walden in 2023. A survivor of abandonment in childhood and terminal cancer at 28, Miist has become a symbol of resilience and hope.

She serves as an ambassador for Teen Cancer America and founded the Smile Project - a global artist network focused on healing through music.

Dong Lan shared, “When David Brunt introduced me to Miist’s project, I felt an instant connection - even though we had never met. It reminded me of a haunting story I once read in France about someone who died alone at home and wasn’t discovered for weeks. It made me wonder: if I died at home during the COVID lockdown, who would notice? How long would it take? Are we becoming lonely and lost even within our own homes?”

She also recalled a moment from her student years: “One day, while dragging myself home, exhausted, I saw a little girl - around two years old - riding on her father's shoulders. She turned, smiled, and waved at me. It was like a wave of refreshing energy swept through me, and all my fatigue vanished instantly.”

Dong Lan has long believed in the healing power of a smile and launched the #SSS (Sing - Share - Smile) project to promote connection and emotional healing.

Personal experiences during her travels further reinforced her conviction: “I once tried smiling at strangers on the train, at stations, or on the street. Sometimes they were shy or guarded, as if they had forgotten how to return a smile. But often, when I smiled a second time - with sincerity - they smiled back. When I returned to Vietnam, I was so happy to see that smiles were everywhere - from motorbike drivers to street vendors. It made me love and long for Vietnam even more.”

In addition to Dong Lan, Could You Lend Me a Smile features internationally acclaimed artists such as Grammy-winning cellist Eru Matsumoto (Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album), and producer Kitt Wakeley (Grammy for Best Classical Album and Best Global Music Album), along with many singers and engineers from around the world.

Dong Lan is also preparing to release a new song in June as part of her Redmoon - Love for Women project.

The upcoming single, NAKYE DNKYE (If you don’t love me, let someone else love me), aims to spread messages of self-love and empowerment for women.

Dong Lan wrote, co-produced, and performed the track, which also features a rising young rapper and will be officially released soon.

Do Le
Photos: Provided by the artist