HONG KONG – A former amateur singing champion abandoned by her family in Canada launches a determined campaign to compete in a television singing contest, employing unorthodox tactics from drinking herbal tea to undergoing acupuncture, all while starring in a popular sitcom arc beginning Wednesday night.
The beloved Cantonese sitcom “Come Home Love: Three Generations of Sweetness” airs a two-episode story arc starting tonight (April 27) titled “It Will Pass.” The narrative follows Gabing, portrayed by actress Cheung Wai-man, a one-time winner of an amateur singing competition who finds herself motivated by a former rival she once defeated.
Desperate Measures for a Second Chance
Gabing’s sudden return to Hong Kong stems from being neglected by her husband, son, and grandson in Canada. To secure a spot on the fictional competition show “The Good Voice of the Year,” she deploys four unconventional strategies:
- Engaging in vocal duels with a high-pitched rival nicknamed “The Key-Raising Sparrow”
- Drinking ham fung fung, a traditional Chinese herbal remedy made from preserved wasp nests
- Undergoing “life-risking” acupuncture treatments
- Performing hundreds of “burpee” exercises to improve her vocal quality
Her efforts initially face staunch opposition from Manley, played by actress Wu Yak-yee, who desperately wants Gabing to leave. However, a series of voice messages from Canada unexpectedly transform their relationship.
A Dream Decades in the Making
Cheung, who hosts the reality competition “Midlife Good Voice” in real life, has long expressed interest in participating as a contestant. This sitcom role allows her to fulfill that aspiration through fiction.
“I’ve always wanted to join ‘Midlife Good Voice,’ and now I can finally live that dream through this drama,” Cheung told reporters.
The production team arranged for Cheung to record a new one-minute version of her classic duet “It Will Pass” specifically for the sitcom.
Flashback to 1992
The episode will feature archival footage of Cheung’s 1992 debut in the New Talent Singing Contest, complete with her youthful appearance and heavier makeup.
“I cannot bring myself to look at those photos now,” Cheung admitted. “The makeup was so much heavier than today. Every time I see those clips, I get chills.”
She shared a particularly memorable experience from that competition: “We had to draw lots for rehearsal time. There were 10 of us, and we drew three times. I was the only person out of all 10 who never got picked. I ended up with zero rehearsal time. That memory is etched in my mind.”
Broader Implications
The storyline taps into a universal theme of second chances and the emotional toll of family estrangement—issues resonating deeply with audiences navigating Hong Kong’s complex emigration patterns. As many families face geographic separation, the show’s exploration of a woman reclaiming her identity through music offers both entertainment and reflection. The arc serves as a poignant reminder that personal fulfillment, even if deferred, remains achievable at any stage of life.