HONG KONG – Rising Hong Kong singer-songwriter Tr33, just 22 years old, has joined forces with MIRROR member Edan Lui (Edan Lui) for a new single titled “Half Sugar, No Ice,” released Aug. 26. The collaboration marks a milestone for the young artist, who has already amassed millions of streams, earned public praise from veteran singer Zhang Jingxuan, and now found a musical ally in one of Hong Kong’s biggest pop stars. The music video, filmed in Taiwan, features Taiwanese streaming sensation Chen Hua and a surprise cameo from Singaporean singer Qiu Fengze.
Rapid Rise to Fame
Tr33 first caught widespread attention with his song “Sinking Boat,” which prompted a public shout-out from Zhang Jingxuan. He followed up with “You Know You’re More Beautiful Than Sunset,” a track that has surpassed 10 million streams on Spotify. Despite his youth, Tr33 has built a catalog of viral hits that have made his name increasingly familiar across the Cantopop and Mandopop scenes.
The path to this collaboration began when Lui discovered Tr33’s music online and was impressed by his songwriting style. The two were formally introduced through producer Edward Chan, who also helped connect Lui with Taiwanese singer Chen Hua during this year’s KKBOX Hong Kong Music Awards. Tr33 wrote “Half Sugar, No Ice” in July and invited Lui to record it as a duet.
A Five-Year Destiny Realized
For Tr33, working with Lui felt like completing a long-awaited circle. “I first heard Edan’s songs when I was in Form Six — two tracks that I really loved,” Tr33 said. “Five years later, I never imagined I’d be in the same recording studio collaborating with him. Edan is like a reliable older brother. I feel honored to be a fledgling musician who, in a sea of talent, was heard and appreciated by him.”
The entire project — from initial meeting to songwriting, recording, and filming the music video — took less than a month.
Music Video Brings a Love Triangle to Life
Shot entirely in Taiwan, the music video for “Half Sugar, No Ice” casts Tr33 and Lui as bubble tea shop employees who both develop feelings for a young woman who frequents the store. That role went to Chen Hua, whose own musical journey intersected with Lui’s at this year’s KKBOX awards, making her a natural fit for the video’s romantic storyline.
In a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo, Qiu Fengze appears as a disappointed customer who arrives just as the two shop assistants close early — a comic beat that adds levity to the video.
To prepare for the shoot, Tr33 and Lui learned to make bubble tea from scratch, even attempting to create a bubble tea cake as a birthday surprise for Chen Hua’s character.
Real-Life Birthday Connection
A serendipitous real-world detail added depth: Tr33 and Chen Hua share August birthdays. During the video shoot, Lui surprised both with a birthday cake. The song’s release date, Aug. 26, was chosen to coincide with Chen Hua’s birthday, creating a seamless bridge between the video’s fictional birthday surprise and reality.
The single dropped on streaming platforms the same day, and the music video quickly generated buzz among fans of both artists.
Broader Impact
This collaboration signals a growing appetite for cross-border musical partnerships between Hong Kong and Taiwan, particularly among younger audiences. For Tr33, the exposure to Lui’s massive MIRROR fanbase offers a significant platform. For Lui, it demonstrates a willingness to mentor emerging talent and experiment outside his group’s sound.
As “Half Sugar, No Ice” continues to climb streaming charts, the question remains: will this be a one-off partnership or the beginning of a longer creative friendship? If Tr33’s trajectory holds, expect more names — and more songs — to follow.
