Hong Kong music fans are buzzing with excitement following strong signals that popular former TVB artist Gigi Lam (炎明熹), professionally known as Gigi, is preparing her first official musical release since transitioning to an independent career. The anticipation intensified after her recent surprise appearance at a major industry awards ceremony and subsequent cryptic social media activity by a leading radio broadcaster, pointing toward new music early this year.
Cryptic Clues Reignite Speculation of New Music
The speculation surrounding Lam’s return to the airwaves was triggered following her unexpected attendance at the 2025 Commercial Radio Hong Kong Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation. During the event, Commercial Radio DJ Sammy publicly acknowledged Lam, thanking her for her continued support of the music industry and offering an open-ended hope that she would return to the “singer’s seating area” at the following year’s ceremony.
Further fueling the rumors, Commercial Radio’s Ultimate Song Chart official social media channels posted an upcoming broadcast schedule for the second week of January, featuring a list of guests and new song premieres. Notably, the January 8 slot was marked only by a distinct purple background white heart emoji—a symbol widely adopted by Lam’s fervent fan base to show support for the star.
The immediate reaction online was swift, with hundreds of fans interpreting the emoji as an unmistakable placeholder for Lam. Comments flooded the official accounts, with users declaring, “Purple heart = Gigi Lam,” and expressing high anticipation for her “long-awaited new song.” Lam moved to an independent management model last year after her contract with TVB ended, and while she has maintained a public profile, a new original single has been keenly awaited by listeners hoping for her formal comeback as an independent artist.
Former Teammates Chart Independent Paths
The renewed focus on Gigi Lam comes as her former girl group teammates from After Class are also making important strides in their individual careers, albeit with varying degrees of public challenge. The quartet, originally formed on the reality show Stars Academy, has seen its members embark on distinct professional journeys.
Chantel Yiu (姚焯菲), another key member of After Class, shared an optimistic outlook for the new year on her social media platform. Yiu articulated a clear ambition for 2026, stating her goal is to “do what I love, release more songs, and continuously strive to learn.” This statement underscores a shared focus among the former teammates on consolidating their careers as solo artists and increasing their presence in the mainstream music charts.
However, the transition has not been entirely smooth for all members. Yumi Chung (鍾柔美) has recently faced negative online speculation concerning her carefully cultivated “pure image.” The public scrutiny appears to be impacting her professional engagements. While Chung, Yiu, and the third After Class member, Gigi Yim (詹天文), recently participated in a New Year’s countdown event at a shopping mall in Zhongshan, promotional materials released by the venue afterward noticeably excluded Chung. The official video only featured Yiu and Yim, suggesting that promoters may be reacting cautiously to the recent deluge of negative press surrounding Chung.
The Future of Hong Kong’s Next Generation
The upcoming potential release by Gigi Lam is an important marker for the next generation of Canto-pop artists. Her success as an independent artist would provide a significant roadmap for young talents looking to navigate the complex environment often dominated by major labels and television networks. As Lam’s supporters eagerly await the official announcement on January 8, the music industry is watching closely to see how this transition impacts her dominance in the highly competitive Hong Kong music scene. The independent trajectory of the former After Class members highlights a broader shift in the regional entertainment landscape, prioritizing individual artistic expression and direct fan engagement.
