HONG KONG — In an unexpected display of reconciliation, Hong Kong singer-actor Edan Lui of boy band MIRROR made a surprise cameo in a music video for the newly formed girl group ICHIBANGIRLS, publicly mending a yearlong rift with YouTube comedy collective JFFT. The move, unveiled during a livestream on Wednesday night, signals a deliberate push for unity within Hong Kong’s entertainment industry amid mounting internal divisions.
The virtual event, titled “ICHIBANGIRLS — ‘Merry-Go-Round’ Release Party,” premiered the music video for the group’s debut single “Merry-Go-Round.” Lui, 27, appeared as a prince charming figure in the visual and later joined the livestream via phone to speak candidly with JFFT members about their past conflict.
Background of the Feud
The tension dates back to November 2023, when JFFT member Cheung Gor—known by his stage name “Bed Gor”—used a livestream to solicit votes for the “Most Loved Group” category at the annual Ultimate Song Chart Awards. During the appeal, he urged fans of Lui to redirect their support to singer Jay Fung and the group JFYT, quipping that while fans worked tirelessly campaigning, Lui was “busy dating in Taiwan.” The remark sparked an online firestorm, drawing criticism from Lui’s MIRROR teammate Keung To, who publicly called it “tasteless.”
Keung To later apologized, but acknowledged the comment—though intended as a joke—had caused genuine hurt. Lui urged fans to remain respectful, and Bed Gor said both sides had reached an understanding. Despite the apparent truce, the incident left lingering bitterness among fan bases.
A Second Chance via Song
In July, JFFT staged the “JFFT Song Festival 2026,” where a duo comprising singer Wong Shuk-man and influencer Mai Ye performed “Merry-Go-Round” in lolita fashion. Their performance won by a landslide, earning the chance to film an official music video. That project ultimately gave birth to ICHIBANGIRLS, a seven-member “girl group” including Wong as captain, Mai Ye as vice-captain, and a roster that features Bed Gor, his daughter, and other JFFT affiliates.
Wong, who has known Lui since their early careers, said she was bold enough to reach out to him for the cameo. “I felt he was the only choice for the male lead,” she said during the livestream. Mai Ye admitted initial hesitation. “I thought, ‘Senior, you don’t know if he’ll say yes,’” she recalled. Wong replied, “But I believe in love and peace. I asked Edan, and he was gracious. He didn’t charge us anything.”
Lui arrived on set uncertain of his co-stars’ identities. “He was very careful and a bit embarrassed because he didn’t recognize anyone,” JFFT member Stone revealed. “When he saw Bed Gor, his immediate reaction was, ‘You… look very familiar.’”
Phone Call Clears the Air
During the livestream, Lui—currently filming a new drama—called in to explain his decision. “I did think it over for a while,” he admitted. “Everyone understands what happened. There may have been friction before, and fans might have fought. But when Wong invited me, I felt I shouldn’t be petty. The incident was in the past, and I communicated with Bed Gor back then. I know he had no ill intent. We’re all adults. Sometimes things happen, and different people react differently.”
Lui acknowledged that both Bed Gor and Mai Ye were surprised he accepted, with Mai Ye exclaiming, “This is going to cause trouble.” Lui confessed he had struggled with the decision but ultimately admired JFFT’s track record of supporting struggling artists in Hong Kong’s entertainment scene.
“Working in entertainment in Hong Kong isn’t easy,” Lui said. “The market is small, and releasing new work is getting harder. I don’t think we should keep generating negativity. Everyone wants to do their best. We should improve together. Wong’s invitation felt like an opportunity to show that love and peace is possible. We all want to bring joy to Hong Kong. Whether it’s helping others or giving talented people a platform, Hong Kong’s local content deserves more attention. We shouldn’t let infighting worsen. Maybe this small step can spark change.”
The room erupted in applause. Mai Ye told Lui, “What you just said solved a lot of problems and worries.”
Lui added, “There will always be different voices. I could have said no, which would have been the safest route. But I thought, maybe I can try. On social media, we see so much hate. Maybe…” Wong interjected: “Love and peace!”
Broader Implications
The reconciliation arrives at a time when Hong Kong’s entertainment industry, already constrained by a shrinking market, faces increasing internal bickering among fan communities. Lui’s public gesture signals a potential shift toward collaboration over competition. For JFFT, the moment marks a new chapter after months of online hostility. For fans, it offers a rare example of public figures putting aside personal differences to focus on a shared mission: bringing joy to audiences in a city where cultural output remains a source of pride and resilience.
As ICHIBANGIRLS’ “Merry-Go-Round” begins streaming, the real takeaway may not be the song itself, but the fragile—and deliberate—peace it helped restore.
