Back in the days when pop music in the United States was largely divided along racial lines, it was commonly believed that only people of African descent could sing soul music. Obviously, that was something of a racist idea...and was disproven after the 1950s with the emergence of so-called "blue-eyed soul" singers such as Elvis Presley, the Righteous Brothers in the 1960s, and right up through Hall and Oates and George Michael in the 1970s and 1980s.
Asian pop is largely derivative of Western styles, but few Asian singers (especially in recent decades) are known for having powerful, soulful voices. Which Asian pop singers do you think can actually sing soul music convincingly?
My picks:
Paula Tsui Siu Fung
Anita Mui Yim Fong
Jenny Tseng (Yan Lei)
Frances Yip Lai Yee
Not that any of the four ladies would give Aretha Franklin a run for her money, but I think they would be the closest that East Asia has come to producing any soul singers.
And I can't think of a single Asian male vocalist who can really sing soul.