Hong Kong superstar Sammi Cheng (鄭秀文) has spearheaded a massive creative effort, bringing together 17 principal cast and crew members of the upcoming Lunar New Year film, Night King (夜王), to reimagine her classic fast-tempo track, “Star Show Legend” (星秀傳說). The collective, featuring prominent names such as Wang Dannie (Louise) and Liao Ziyu (Fish), recently gathered in a recording studio that was dramatically transformed into a vibrant, mirror-ball-adorned disco set for both the recording session and an accompanying music video.
The highly anticipated new rendition, officially titled “Star Show Legend [feat. Tsim Sha Tsui Night King] [Shine Once Version],” serves as the main promotional song for the crime-drama film and is scheduled for release ahead of the holiday season. The project, emphasizing high-energy performance and glamorous styling, has successfully generated early buzz for the ensemble movie.
Director’s Vision Revives Classic Track
Cheng revealed that the concept originated directly from director and screenwriter Ng Wai-lun (吳煒倫), who specifically requested the inclusion of the decades-old song to align with the film’s setting and atmosphere.
“The director believed this song perfectly captured the era we are depicting in Night King,” Cheng explained. “When he proposed the idea, I suggested adding a rap segment to modernize it.”
This suggestion led to the recruitment of renowned comedic actors Yeung Wai-lun (Ah Lun) and Ho Kai-wah (Ah Dee) to handle the rap verses. Dressing the part in oversized fur coats and dark sunglasses, the duo delivered a hilariously nonsensical English rap—featuring ad-libs about local favorites like egg tarts and pineapple buns—that reportedly brought the whole studio to laughter, injecting crucial comedic relief into the intense filming schedule.
Powerful Ensemble Performance
The recording and video shoot saw Cheng, affectionately known as the “Queen of Pop,” powerfully leading the large group of female co-stars, including Louise, Fish, and Tam Man-hsuen (Mandy), in a dynamic dance sequence set against a backdrop of flashing lights.
For many co-stars, the experience marked a significant departure from their usual screen personas. Basketball Goddess Mandy, known for her pristine image, surprised onlookers with a captivating and lively performance in a low-cut camisole. She expressed an almost prophetic feeling about the shoot, stating she had intuitively visualized the exact disco staging during her commute.
Similarly, Louise, often cast in emotionally reserved roles, embraced the high-octane atmosphere. “I was expecting a typical studio session where we just wear headphones and record, but instead, it was a full-blown disco setup,” she joked, noting her excitement to see the final music video after “obsessively listening” to the original track.
Liao Ziyu commented on the physically demanding nature of the shoot, jokingly comparing it to an intense workout: “I was planning to just gently sway, but watching Sammi put every ounce of effort into her dancing made me feel embarrassed to hold back. You have to match her energy. I genuinely need to learn from Sammi to increase my fitness levels.”
Team Spirit Prevails Despite Production Wrap
Even though principal photography for Night King concluded some time ago, Cheng highlighted the strong camaraderie that remains among the cast. She demonstrated her attentiveness by accurately recalling the names of all the co-stars present, emphasizing professionalism and teamwork as fundamental to the project’s success, whether on set or in the studio.
Cheng also paid tribute to a crucial element of the film’s team spirit, despite his absence from the music video. “The emotional core of the film hinges on ‘Brother Fun,’ [star] Dayo Wong (黃子華),” she remarked. “Although he wasn’t here today, his spirit and dedication are always with us. I have immense respect for him and the entire team.”
The re-recorded musical theme is set to offer audiences a dazzling promotional look at the highly anticipated Lunar New Year release, promising a blend of star power and neon-drenched nostalgia when the film hits theaters.
