A contingent of members from the hugely popular Hong Kong Mandopop group MIRROR recently gathered to celebrate the belated 33rd birthday of bandmate Jer Lau Ying Ting, marking the occasion a month after his actual birthdate with camaraderie and humor fueled by a recent online gaffe. The informal “birthday group,” comprising Anson Lo Hon Ting, Edan Lui Cheuk On, Jeremy Lee Chun Kit, and Stanley Yau Sze Chun, ensured that while the celebration was delayed, their spirits and attendance were complete.
The celebratory dinner, shared by the five singers, garnered attention on social media, primarily due to an inside joke that has affectionately rebranded Lau. Bandmate Edan Lui shared a video and photos of the event, showcasing the singers laughing as they incorporated a miswritten song title into their birthday wishes for Lau.
“Silly-Lan” Nickname Sparks Viral Laughter
The core source of the merriment stems from an amusing social media mishap involving Lau. The singer had recently attempted to share the song “Night’s Silence” (夜闌人靜) by moon tang, but mistakenly replaced the character for “lan” (闌) with a homophone that is considered a Cantonese expletive. This viral error quickly earned Lau the humorous moniker, “Silly-Lan.” The incident had previously caused amusement among the song’s lyricist and the original artist.
In the celebratory footage posted by Lui, the friends are seen gathered around Lau, singing the traditional birthday song. In lieu of a proper cake plaque, the singers playfully improvised, using a tissue paper on the dessert plate upon which they had penned the phrase: “Happy Birthday Silly-Lan.” The group burst into laughter as they reached the segment of the song where they substituted “Silly-Lan” for Lau’s name.
“Belated happy birthday to Jer (Silly-Lan) (MIRROR),” Lui captioned the post, publicly referencing the internal joke that captivated their fanbase.
The Power of Shared Experiences in Pop Culture
For fans of the acclaimed Canto-pop group, these shared personal moments offer a valuable glimpse into the genuine relationships behind the professional facade. MIRROR, known for their high-energy performances and meticulously produced music videos, maintains a massive following across Greater China and internationally. These casual, unscripted interactions—even those centered on slight embarrassment—reinforce their relatable image.
Such incidents often become integrated into the group’s lexicon and stage banter, demonstrating how minor mistakes in the digital age can transform into endearing popular culture moments rather than permanent public relations setbacks. The group’s supportive and teasing environment highlights the close bond between the members, who have navigated intense media scrutiny and demanding schedules since their formation in 2018.
Ultimately, the belated gathering served as a strong reminder to fans and observers that timing is secondary to intention when it comes to friendship. The group’s willingness to turn a harmless online blunder into a running gag underscores the camaraderie that is instrumental to their enduring appeal. The “Silly-Lan” nickname is likely to live on, providing endless material for future group interactions both on and off the screen.
