HONG KONG – Veteran singer Hacken Lee brought both critical scoring and a show-stopping performance to the finals of “Midlife Good Voice 4” on Sunday night, drawing praise from viewers for his vocal prowess while sparking debate over his strict judging standards.
Lee, 57, served as a star judge and guest performer during the competition’s “Climb to the Summit” episode. Social media users noted that his live rendition outperformed the top seven contestants—a compliment Lee deflected by focusing on the contestants’ craft.
A Costly Oversight
The singer expressed disappointment for finalist Yau Suk-ching, one of his favored competitors, who made a critical error during her performance. “She forgot to wear her earpiece, which is a bit frustrating,” Lee said after the show. “This was a song by Zhang Yusheng. It has no tempo guide at the beginning and is extremely difficult to sing. Even after she put the earpiece back on, her rhythm was already disrupted.”
Asked whether the mistake amounted to a “low-level error,” Lee chose his words carefully. “I wouldn’t call it low-level, but it was avoidable. For Yau, this moment might happen only once in her life—and unfortunately, it happened tonight. Now that the dust has settled, it’s like an awards ceremony: you’re celebrated for one night, and the next day everyone starts over. She has a long road ahead, and she’ll likely remember to wear her earpiece every day from now on.”
Scoring With a Personal Yardstick
Lee’s rigorous scoring drew attention from other judges and the audience. He explained that he used first contestant Cheng Ka-sing as a benchmark and applied a consistent personal standard, disregarding scores given by fellow judges. “Everyone’s ruler is different,” Lee said. “I judge based on overall performance. If I don’t give high marks, it doesn’t mean I think the contestant is bad. If I had to score myself, I’d give lower marks than most contestants.”
Behind the Scenes: Alan Tam’s Birthday and ‘Left Wing Right Lee’
Lee also addressed missing the 76th birthday party of veteran singer Alan Tam, due to a concert in Macau. He sang “Happy Birthday” onstage for Tam instead. When asked whether he would appear as a guest at Tam’s upcoming September Hong Kong Coliseum concerts, Lee said he had not yet received an invitation. “We’re ‘Left Wing Right Lee’—if he calls, I’ll be there,” he said, referring to their long-standing partnership.
Family Questions Deflected
Asked about rumors linking his eldest son, Li Li-yan, with singer Chantel Yao, Lee immediately shut down the topic. Yao had publicly stated that the two are not romantically compatible. Lee repeatedly diverted the conversation back to the competition before finally saying, “Academics come first. I don’t encourage anything beyond schoolwork. Thank you.”
A Mentor’s Gratitude
Host Che Wan-wan publicly thanked Lee on stage for encouraging her when she was nervous about hosting the show. Lee revealed that Che is a close friend of his wife, Lois Lo, and that they often dine together privately. “I just shared my thoughts with her. Seeing how well the show has been received, I’m happy and moved for her,” he said.
Broader Impact
Lee’s role in “Midlife Good Voice” highlights the growing popularity of talent competitions that spotlight older contestants, challenging age norms in the entertainment industry. His candid critique and firm scoring also underscored the value of discipline and preparation—lessons that resonate beyond the stage. As the show concludes its fourth season, producers are expected to announce a fifth installment later this year, with Lee’s continued involvement likely to be a draw for both audiences and aspiring singers.
