HONG KONG – Chinese singer Li Hao closed the final night of his debut concert series at the Hong Kong Coliseum on Sunday, mixing apologies with emotional family tributes and a parade of celebrity guests, days after a controversy over fans groping him onstage sparked public backlash.
The 30-year-old mainland Chinese performer, who shot to fame through reality television, had drawn criticism after the first night of his concert when footage showed fans “frantically touching” him during an interaction segment. Li issued a late-night online apology, and by Sunday’s finale the onstage encounters were noticeably more restrained.
Li’s final show featured an extraordinary lineup of Hong Kong entertainment veterans, including Cherie Chung, Lam Po-yee, George Lam, Power Chan, Danny Lee, Wong Cho-lam, and Mark Cheng. Each joined him for impromptu acting skits between songs.
One of the most poignant moments came when Li performed a dramatic father-son argument scene with Lam Po-yee, after which he broke down in tears while singing. He later told the audience the tears were not weakness but pride—explaining that his late father had always wanted to see him perform on the iconic Coliseum stage. “I finally stood here on my own,” he said, his voice cracking.
The singer used the moment to offer a public apology for the first night’s controversy, admitting he had been “too excited” and had made mistakes.
Celebrity video messages from Alan Tam and Jordan Chan played on the big screen. Li revealed that Tam had recently encouraged him over dinner. When George Lam appeared, Li declared: “Let me be the little star of Cantopop from now on—trust me to carry it forward.” Lam, who joked he is usually asleep by 11 p.m., said he made an exception because Li was “polite and has a bright future.”
The night’s biggest surprise came from comedian Wong Cho-lam, who arrived as the closing guest to perform “Exaggerated” with Li. Wong disclosed that the two met in 2022, and that he helped Li apply to use the venue after learning of his dream. Before leaving the stage, Wong handed Li a check, quipping: “In Hong Kong, any singer who runs overtime gets fined—I’ve prepared this check for you.” The concert ended just before midnight.
Apology and Humor in Post-Show Interview
Speaking to reporters afterward with Wong at his side, Li said he would keep the check as a “lucky red envelope” and not cash it. Wong countered: “You really need to use this check to settle the bill.”
Li also shared that he met his idol Stephen Chow in 2018, who encouraged him to perform at the Coliseum. When Li recently saw Chow in Shenzhen, he invited him to attend the show.
Regarding Cherie Chung, Li revealed he sent her a demo of their duet “Goodbye in the Rivers and Lakes,” and she immediately agreed to perform. The two plan to film a music video together.
Addressing the first-night controversy directly, Li admitted he was “not mature enough” and that the incident had kept him awake all night. When asked whether fans had touched his genitals, he quipped: “I’m the youngest son in my family, so there’s no ‘little Li Hao.’”
Broader Implications
The incident highlights the fine line Chinese performers walk when engaging with enthusiastic fan bases, particularly in live concert settings where physical boundaries can blur. For Li, the controversy may serve as a cautionary tale, but his ability to draw top-tier talent and sell out Hong Kong’s most prestigious venue signals his growing influence in the Cantopop sphere. Industry observers will watch to see whether he can maintain momentum while navigating the heightened scrutiny that comes with mainstream success.
