Eight singers from TVB’s “Midlife Good Voice” series took the stage in Hong Kong’s Kwun Tong district on Tuesday for a debut concert of their original tracks, drawing a crowd of several hundred supporters. The lineup—Yan Mi Gao, Cao Yue, Liu Xiaokun, Chen Yufei, Huang Bo, Ruan Huishan, Shen Zongxian, and Hou Jingyi—each performed new material as part of the event, dubbed the “TMG Midlife Good Voice New Song Tour.”
Surprise Collaboration with a Legendary Composer
Among the evening’s standout moments was Yan Mi Gao’s performance of the original song Zixu Wu You, written specifically for him by veteran composer Wang Zhengyu, best known for writing Leslie Cheung’s classic For Your Heart. Yan told the audience he was taken aback when Wang approached him at a film premiere last year. “He later showed up at my concert and gave me this tailor-made song. When I heard it, I was bouncing off the ceiling with joy,” Yan said. However, the recording process proved challenging: Wang insisted Yan tone down his excessive vocal crying style. After adjustments, the final version emerged as what Yan called the most effective piece he has ever delivered.
Retro Tune Born from a Real-Life Scam
Cao Yue, Liu Xiaokun, and Chen Yufei unveiled the retro-psychedelic track Midnight Ring Ring. Chen revealed the song’s inspiration came from her own experience losing more than 190,000 Hong Kong dollars to a phone scam. “Many of my friends have also fallen for scams,” she said. “I believe this song will resonate with a lot of people.” Cao praised the collaboration, noting that Chen handled lyrics, composition, arrangement, and production, Liu taught dance moves, and Cao contributed partial lyrics and directed the music video. Liu described filming in 30-degree Celsius heat while wearing a suit jacket: “It was literally blood and sweat—the sweat was real.”
Heat and Heart in New Music Videos
Huang Bo echoed the challenges of shooting in sweltering weather for her single Floral Words. “I brought two fans and a parasol, and it was still boiling hot. But seeing the final video, it was all worth it,” she said. The song’s lyrics weave together different flowers representing various types of women, with a message encouraging fans to love themselves and to walk through every stage of life with a smile, no matter what they have experienced.
‘Midlife Good Voice’ Couple Sings for the Hopeful
Fan-favorite duo Shen Zongxian and Ruan Huishan performed the love ballad Galileo’s Stars. Shen, who described himself as currently single, said the song expresses a universal longing: “Like many people, I have a hope for love—to find that special someone in a sea of faces.” Ruan thanked her partner for trusting her creative freedom throughout rehearsals and recording. The pair said they hope the track becomes a wedding anthem for couples.
Directorial Debut Saves Costs, Delivers Sweetness
Hou Jingyi debuted her original song Red Bracelet and spoke about directing the music video herself. “The biggest challenge was racing against time,” she said. “To cut costs, we rented the venue late at night and aimed to finish each shot in one or two takes. We ended up exceeding the schedule by two hours, but I’m very happy with the result—it has a sweet, loving feel.” The event concluded with all artists gathering for a group photo with enthusiastic fans.
Broader Impact: Giving a Second Act a Voice
The “Midlife Good Voice” franchise has become a cultural phenomenon in Hong Kong, offering middle-aged amateur singers a platform to launch professional music careers. Tuesday’s showcase demonstrated that these artists are not merely reality-TV contestants but emerging talents capable of writing and producing original material. With new singles ranging from heartfelt ballads to scam-inspired pop, the group is carving out a distinct niche in Cantopop—proving that a fresh start can come at any age. Observers note that such grassroots events help sustain local music ecosystems by bridging the gap between television exposure and live performance, while also fostering fan communities that extend well beyond the screen.
