The conclusion of the popular television singing competition, Voice Show, has been overshadowed by an ongoing controversy involving mentor and veteran Hong Kong singer, William So (also known as Ah Gong), whose past legal issues appear to have severely impacted the program’s broadcast reach in mainland China.
The controversy escalated in September after an apparent resurrection of So’s 2002 drug-related transgressions by online commentators. This scrutiny reportedly captured the attention of mainland media outlets, which questioned his suitability as a public figure and called for legal accountability. Following the media pressure, Voice Show episodes were reportedly removed from broadcast schedules across several mainland platforms, raising speculation that the show had been unofficially blacklisted from a crucial market.
Mentor Posts Social Media Thank You Amid Fallout
Despite the external tumult, So appeared briefly during the competition’s finale but declined media interviews at the time. Days later, he took to social media, sharing celebratory photographs from a cast and crew dinner marking the end of the series. The images featured numerous participants and fellow industry figures, including singers Joey Thye, Kaho Hung, Rita Carpio, Chan Yi Tak, and Joey Wong (JW).
In an extensive post, So extended congratulations to the winners and expressed deep gratitude to the entire production team for their guidance and assistance. He singled out renowned artist Hins Cheung for particular praise.
“Huge thanks to @hinscheung for his unwavering support and for taking care of the three kids,” So wrote, referring to the contestants. “This definitely created unforgettable memories for them and made their journey even more spectacular.”
Apology to Production Staff
However, the post also contained a noticeable undercurrent of regret regarding the disruption caused by his personal history. So offered an explicit apology to the show’s producer, acknowledging the burden his issues placed on the team.
“My apologies for causing inconvenience,” he stated, adding a resolute, “Did my best, it’s in my heart.”
So concluded his thanks by reflecting on the rare sense of camaraderie he experienced on the set, suggesting that he never expected to find a team he would miss this much since his days on classic TV series like File of Justice and The Healing Hands.
“I was wrong,” So conceded. “To my Voice Show team, we will meet again.”
Context and Implications for Broadcasts
The incident highlights the intensifying scrutiny faced by Hong Kong and Taiwanese celebrities working within the mainland entertainment ecosystem. While Hong Kong’s broadcasting authority, TVB, airs programs like Voice Show locally, their distribution and co-productions across the border remain susceptible to mainland regulatory and public sentiment shifts, particularly concerning the behavior and past conduct of celebrity talent.
For production companies, the swift negative reaction serves as a reminder of the need for rigorous due diligence regarding all key personnel, as historical events—even decade-old ones—can be mobilized by online communities and state media to enforce accountability standards that are often stricter than those in the artists’ originating territories. The rumored suspension of the show’s mainland broadcast signals immediate financial and viewership impact, forcing the network and production partners to navigate sensitive political and social lines in future talent acquisitions.