Hong Kong actor Carlos Chan stepped into new artistic territory yesterday, releasing his debut solo single, We Are All Nameless (我們都是無名氏). The track marks his first foray into lyric writing, a deeply personal project inspired by an unexpected source: his wedding guest list.
Inspired by a Wedding List
The idea for the song struck Chan while he was compiling names for his wedding to singer-actress Shiga Lin. The process became an unflinching reflection on time and the fragility of adult friendships.
“I realized that many people who once shared pivotal moments with me had completely dropped off my radar,” Chan explained in a statement. “Some of them I couldn’t even remember by name, but I recall the feeling of having a common goal with them. We were close back then, but once that chapter ended, we simply stopped reaching out.”
The song is his way of thanking those forgotten companions, the “nameless ones” who helped shape his journey even if their paths have since diverged.
A Family Affair
The production of the single was a collaborative effort guided by Chan’s personal network. He credited his wife, Shiga Lin, for connecting him with Howie from the popular Hong Kong band Dear Jane, who composed the music. Fong Ho-kuen was brought in to polish Chan’s raw lyrics, ensuring they could be sung fluidly without losing their emotional core. The track was overseen by Sam, the producer frequently associated with Dear Jane.
Chan expressed deep gratitude to the team for trusting his vision. “My wife helped bridge the connection, and everyone worked together to help me realize this dream,” he said.
Reuniting with a Long-Time Collaborator
The music video carries its own weight of nostalgia. It was directed by Jansen Chan, a close friend and the filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed drama The White Girl (白日之下). The pair share a long history: Carlos Chan’s first leading film role was under Jansen’s direction, and Jansen’s directorial debut also starred Chan.
Putting his film career on hold, Jansen agreed to direct the video. “He hasn’t made a music video in a long time,” Chan noted. “He came out of retirement for me. The entire project is very meaningful.”
Broadening Artistic Horizons
For Chan, this release represents a calculated risk beyond acting. He hopes the lyrics offer a window into his personality that his film roles may not fully capture. “I hope that beyond the movie world, people can get to know me and my thoughts through this song,” he said.
Looking ahead, Chan expresses a desire to pay the gesture forward. He aspires to become a source of quiet encouragement for others. “I hope I can become someone else’s ‘Nameless One’ in the future,” he said. “To offer support so we can all keep moving forward together.”
With We Are All Nameless, Carlos Chan delivers more than a debut single—he offers a vulnerable reflection on the transient nature of companionship. It serves as a poignant reminder of the silent impact people leave in our lives, whether we still know their names or not. The single is available now.
