Hong Kong – Nicholas Tse will honor his late father’s wishes by proceeding with his scheduled concert in Qingdao, China, this weekend, less than two weeks after the death of iconic actor Patrick Tse at age 89. The singer-actor was spotted arriving in Qingdao on Wednesday, remaining largely out of public view as he prepared for the show.
Patrick Tse, a legendary figure in Hong Kong cinema known for his swaggering roles and sharp suits, passed away on April 16. His son, Nicholas Tse, 44, confirmed that the elder Tse had urged him not to cancel the “Evolution Nic Live” concert, set for April 25 at the Qingdao Guoxin Stadium. “I will follow my father’s instructions,” Nicholas Tse said in a brief statement released through his management team. “The show will go on as planned.”
The pop star and actor, who has maintained a grueling tour schedule this year, was originally scheduled to fly to Qingdao on Wednesday via private jet. However, he switched at the last minute to a commercial flight, traveling with his crew. Video clips uploaded by Chinese netizens showed Tse arriving at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport dressed entirely in black, carrying a large black duffel bag. He walked briskly through the terminal flanked by staff, his head bowed and eyes fixed forward, avoiding eye contact with onlookers. His manager confirmed that Tse had safely reached the city.
The decision to keep the concert date reflects a deep sense of duty and the professional ethos instilled by Patrick Tse, who famously told his son in past interviews, “The show must always come first.” Industry observers note that Nicholas Tse has rarely canceled performances for personal reasons, even during his 2011 divorce from actress Cecilia Cheung.
Patrick Tse’s death marks the end of an era in Hong Kong entertainment. He rose to fame in the 1950s as a leading man in Cantonese cinema and later became a household name across Asia. His career spanned more than six decades, with memorable roles in films such as “The Kid” and the “Young and Dangerous” series. In 2019, he received the Hong Kong Film Awards’ Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nicholas Tse, who began his own career as a teenage pop idol, has since evolved into a respected actor and the founder of a successful post-production company, Po朝霆. The Qingdao concert is part of his first major tour in more than a decade, which kicked off in January and has drawn sellout crowds across mainland China.
As the singer prepares to take the stage Friday night, fans and colleagues have expressed support. “He’s handling this with incredible grace,” said one longtime fan on social media. “His father would be proud.”
The concert is expected to proceed without changes to its setlist or duration. Proceeds from the tour benefit a children’s education foundation established by Tse in 2013.
Related reading: For more on Patrick Tse’s career and legacy, see the Hong Kong Film Archive’s tribute exhibit “The Evolution of a Screen Legend.”