HONG KONG – The annual landscape of Cantopop solidified its new hierarchy tonight as the 2025 Commercial Radio Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation took center stage at the AsiaWorld-Expo. In a night defining musical perseverance and emerging talent, Ian Fung was the clear victor, achieving his inaugural Gold Prize for Male Singer, an emotional culmination of years dedicated to his craft.
Fung, visibly overwhelmed by the achievement, tearfully addressed the audience, admitting to his own shock at the recognition. “I am so scared,” he confessed. “I don’t know what reaction to expect from everyone. To win this Gold Prize for the first time after being in the industry for so long—I know this award isn’t just for one year of work, but the result of cumulative effort over multiple years.”
Victory Fueled by Perseverance
The singer emphasized the challenging road he had traveled, including moments where he contemplated leaving music entirely. Fung offered deep gratitude to his management, Media Asia, for renewing their faith in him and providing the chance to perform again.
He recounted the challenges of his re-entry into the industry, revealing that even his own team initially harbored doubts due to his appearance before signing him. He candidly shared, “I looked bloated at the time, and had some dental issues; I lacked confidence.” He concluded by thanking the company for believing in his potential despite those early insecurities.
The Ultimate Song Chart Male Singer Trophies:
- Gold Prize: Ian Fung (馮允謙)
- Silver Prize: MC Cheung Tinfu (MC張天賦)
- Bronze Prize: Jason Chan (陳柏宇)
Securing the Silver Prize, highly-anticipated vocalist MC Cheung Tinfu showed the pressure of the moment, visibly struggling to maintain composure. In his brief acceptance speech, Tinfu, acknowledging the local music scene, vowed to continue his hard work but confessed to an unusual moment of amnesia, saying, “I rarely forget what I’m supposed to say. Yes, I will keep trying. Thank you.”
Veteran Artist Finds Unexpected Triumph
Taking home the Bronze Prize, veteran singer Jason Chan provided a moment of lighthearted spontaneity, letting out a loud, emotional shout upon reaching the stage.
Chan admitted that actively pursuing an award was something he had never prioritized until the beginning of the year. He credited his colleagues for inspiring his campaign, noting their confidence in his enduring capability to win the Male Singer award on such a prestigious platform.
“Since I was young, I haven’t been good at fighting for myself,” Chan said. “Fortunately, I have a fantastic team.”
He particularly thanked his dedicated fanbase whose active campaigning was instrumental, detailing a memorable, and somewhat embarrassing, experience joining them on street campaigns in areas like Mong Kok to gather votes. He concluded his speech simply, promising a richer narrative next year.
These awards not only recognize individual vocal achievement but serve as a crucial barometer for the health and direction of Hong Kong’s fiercely competitive Cantopop industry. The night underscored a pivotal shift, celebrating both the long-sought validation of persistent artists like Fung and the continued rise of new-generation stars, ensuring the genre maintains momentum for the upcoming year.