They weren’t the biggest winners of the night.

But Taiwanese girl group S.H.E provided the most anticipated and touching moment at the 23rd Golden Melody Awards ceremony on Saturday night.

Held at the Taipei Arena, the prestigious event – widely recognised as Mandopop’s equivalent of the Grammys – featured some of the brightest music stars in the region, including superstar Jay Chou, pop rock band Mayday and Singapore’s own, Tanya Chua.

But it was the sight of Hebe Tien, 29, Selina Jen, 30 and Ella Chen, 31, of S.H.E together on stage that sent the audience into a shrieking frenzy.

This was the trio’s first performance as a group since Jen suffered severe burns on an on-set explosion in October 2010.

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Some fans waved huge banners that read “S.H.E – back with a bang” while others held up lightboards and posters of the members’ names.

Host Mickey Huang, the group’s bosom buddy, said tearfully: “We have waited for this moment for 555 days.”

A few things have changed, though: Jen and Chen are married, while Tien has carved out a successful solo career.

Tien was nominated for seven categories, but failed to win in any.

When S.H.E finally appeared, decked out in colour- coordinated outfits and crooning their upbeat hits, Shero and Superstar, it was as if they had never taken a break.

Their chemistry was as strong as before, and they were still the spunky lasses whom fans had come to know and love over the past decade.

Also at the ceremony, Singapore singer Chua took home her third Best Female Vocalist trophy (she also won in 2006 and 2008), while long-haired rocker, Luantan Ascent, beat better known musicians like Chou, Jam Hsiao and Yoga Lin to be crowned Best Male Vocalist.

Chou, 33, lived up to the promise he had made earlier that he would show off his new sculpted body on the red carpet.

The hunky idol had been working out in preparation for his new movie, Rooftop, which he’ll direct and star in.

Donning a hoody, sunglasses and a sleeveless rocker vest, he gamely flexed his muscles for the cameras and joked to reporters: “I’m not really here for the music... Tonight, I’m here to tell everyone that it’s important to keep fit and work out, no matter how busy you are.”

K-pop girl group Miss A, who had been specially flown as guest performers, made heads turn with their slick choreography, despite being one member down (Suzy Bae couldn’t make it for the event).

Not to be upstaged by the youngsters, veteran stars Sandy Lam, 46, and Wu Tien Hsin, 36, donned gowns with plunging necklines.

Last year’s Best Female Vocalist, Karen Mok, 42, opened the show with a stunning medley of evergreen 60s tunes, while musicians Bobby Chen, 53, and Wu Bai, 44, had the crowd singing along to their classic Hokkien hits.

This article was first published in The New Paper.