Just as children's first years are their most definitive, a fledgling singer's first five to 10 years in the business are the most critical. If he or she survives the dog-eat-dog competitiveness, that artist could be set for life.
In the brief history of Canto-pop, singers have often hung on bravely - and sometimes tenuously - to make it to the 'safe period'. In the make-or-break years, they do everything possible to carve a niche in the business.
A long break is a luxury that many would not dare dream about until then, because if the foundations are not strong, it is easier to be forgotten than remembered.
There are a few exceptions to the five-year itch, so singer-actress Charlie Young Choi-nei is not a rarity in that sense.
Young made her first appearance in a jewellery shop commercial with teen idol Aaron Kwok Fu-shing in 1992. Not long after, devoted fans were already elevating her to pop idol status and she had launched both a singing and acting career.
But just she as seemed to be heading for stardom, Young last year suddenly announced that she would take a short break to do some courses in New York.