Hong Kong singer Jason Chan mobilized nearly a hundred enthusiastic fans in the bustling Mong Kok district this week, making a final, high-profile push for votes in the prestigious Ultimate Song Chart Awards’ “My Favorite Male Singer” category, marking his return to the top ten after a six-year absence. The unconventional street campaign, held just hours before the ballot deadline, saw Chan personally engaging with the public despite admitting to a rare sense of bashfulness during the highly visible public appeal.
The mass rallying effort featured supporters chanting the popular artist’s name across one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs. Chan, known for his reserved demeanor regarding public campaigning, playfully conceded to feeling slightly awkward about the spectacle, joking that he wished to “walk a little faster.” Embracing the moment, the singer interacted jovially with pedestrians, waving and greeting passersby. Highlighting the impromptu nature of the event, Chan seized a microphone, proclaiming the setting “perfect for this song,” before launching into a spirited rendition of “Invincible” (戰無不勝), the classic theme from the film Young and Dangerous 3.
A notable moment of levity occurred when Chan’s group encountered a rival — a life-sized cardboard cutout of fellow nominee MC Cheung (MC Zhang Tianfu)— and his respective campaign team. Chan, quick to capitalize on the playful rivalry, brought the microphone to the cutout and quipped, “You support Jason Chan too?” eliciting laughter from the crowd. When an MC fan requested Chan to cast his vote for the rising star, Chan demonstrated sportsmanship and camaraderie, noting the poll allows for five votes: “Vote for Jason Chan, and also vote for MC!”
Although Chan worked tirelessly to secure a spot, the campaign ultimately fell short, and he did not advance to the final five nominees. Despite the outcome, the singer maintained a gracious and philosophical outlook. During a final engagement with his supporters, an emotional moment saw him visibly tear up while performing his recent single, “The Future I See,” which fans sang along to in unison. He expressed gratitude for the robust effort: “Doing my best is what matters. Regardless of the results, I will rent out a cinema for us to watch a movie together.”
Chan’s public appearance and candid exchange with fans offered a glimpse into the passionate, competitive atmosphere surrounding Hong Kong’s highest-profile music awards. While the immediate objective of reaching the final round was not met, the veteran artist solidified his relationship with his core fanbase, promising future engagement beyond the competitive field. The Ultimate Song Chart Awards, organized by Commercial Radio Hong Kong, remain instrumental in gauging public sentiment and commercial success within the Cantopop scene, lending significant weight to this high-stakes public voting process.