Hong Kong—Pop phenomenon COLLAR marked its four-year anniversary with an energized fan meet and signing event today, using the occasion to officially celebrate leader Gao’s recent 33rd birthday. Hundreds of devoted fans gathered, presenting the seven-member girl group with personalized cards and a large celebratory banner acknowledging their recent Golden Combination Award win at the prestigious Chil Chak music awards.
The outpouring of support clearly moved the members, with Winka and Gao visibly emotional, acknowledging the rapid passage of time since their debut. Gao, whose birthday fell on January 7, expressed deep gratitude, noting that past birthdays often coincided with exam periods. She called the recent music award, coupled with the communal birthday song from her fanbase, the best birthday gift yet.
Forthcoming ‘Explosive Gift’ and Ambitious Goals
Amid the celebration, the group heightened anticipation by teasing an “explosive gift” from a member scheduled for release in the coming days. Marf immediately dismissed any speculation regarding marriage, clarifying that the announcement pertains to a member preparing for a solo performance or concert.
The anniversary event served as a platform for the group to address internal aspirations and broader industry news. Responding to reports of a management restructuring at their parent company, ViuTV, COLLAR members light-heartedly described themselves as the company’s “lower echelon,” suggesting the changes would likely not impact them significantly. However, they seized the opportunity to voice clear demands: a request for salary increases and the rollout of more individual singles to explore their distinct artistic identities.
In a candid moment, the members also offered insight into their working relationship with manager Dai Ching. They described her disciplinary methods as employing a “sheep mode” persona—a smiling demeanor used to gently but firmly criticize them. While admitting they sometimes deserve the chastisement, they acknowledged her intentions are always in their best interest.
Navigating Industry Dynamics and Rumors
The group also fielded questions regarding industry peers. When asked about rumors surrounding a rift within the boy group ERROR and member 193’s recent managerial change, COLLAR maintained a respectful distance. Candy, who has been romantically linked to 193, confirmed she only follows public reports and has not contacted him directly, emphasizing that their usual conversations center on food, not work. When pressed further about arranging a meal with 193, Marf playfully intervened, claiming COLLAR is generally not close with ERROR and quipping that even arranging a meal for COLLAR itself proves difficult.
The recent formation of the limited-time duo PAWS by actresses Sharon Shum and Sarena Li also drew praise from COLLAR. The younger group hailed PAWS as charming veterans, expressing admiration rather than reservation about shared resources. COLLAR members confidently asserted that different groups cater to distinct styles and audiences, fostering a synergistic environment where more groups actually increase overall working opportunities within Hong Kong’s entertainment sector, eliminating competition concerns.
Finally, the technical challenge of live performance was highlighted when Sum Sing addressed a recent online debate concerning a misheard lyric during their performance of “Heaven’s Mandate Is Highest” from the A Step into the Past soundtrack. Sum Sing openly admitted to singing the wrong word, which unexpectedly ignited significant online discussion. She emphasized that while minor errors occur during rehearsal, the group strives for perfection in live shows. Performing recently before icons like Louis Koo and K-pop star Hyoyeon reinforced their sense of mission to showcase the caliber of Hong Kong female talent on the international stage.
