HONG KONG — Four members of the superband MIRROR represented the group on Tuesday at the press launch of the CRIT Top Ten Music Awards held at Ngong Ping Bazaar, delivering a campaign update dominated by a spreading flu and a striking lack of competitive bravado.
The event itself signals a warming relationship between the band and Commercial Radio Hong Kong, which organizes the ceremony. Despite the milestone, the mood was predominantly cautious, with the artists focusing on the physical toll of their schedule and dismissing suggestions that major prizes are locked in.
Anson Kong Sidelined by Flu
Sub-leader Anson Kong (AK) was absent from the proceedings. Alton Wong told reporters the singer’s condition has worsened after he powered through a recent performance in Wan Chai while already unwell. “We’ve told him to wear a mask at signings. The priority is that he recovers fully before our December tour without passing the virus to the rest of us,” Alton explained.
The group will be further depleted during the awards night. Keung To and Ian Chan will be in Macau for a New Year’s Eve performance. Alton expressed hope that the remaining ten members could attend, noting the CRIT ceremony is a major fixture in the music calendar and any absence is regrettable.
Fellow member Jeremy Lee suspected the health issues might not be directly linked to AK. “It could just be coincidence,” he said with a laugh. “But maybe it’s better to be down with a cold now than during the concerts in December.”
Humility Rules the Day
When asked about their chances for the Group of the Year award, the band refused to entertain predictions. “We have never viewed any of these prizes as being in the bag,” Alton stated. “Every year, our peers release strong, competitive work. We never take that for granted.”
Jeremy adopted an even more detached position regarding the Best Male Artist race. “I never developed a fighting-for-awards mentality,” he explained. “Music comes out of genuine interest and the desire to connect with my fans. Winning the Best New Artist trophy in the past was wonderful, but what I really want now is to put out diverse and meaningful songs. Trophies are a bonus, not the objective. I am happy to let fate decide the outcome.”
Focus Shifts to December Tour
The press conference sketched a portrait of a band acutely aware of the fragility of its lineup. As MIRROR prepares for a demanding concert series in December, managing the health of its members has overtaken the usual pre-awards hype. The band’s pragmatic tone suggests a maturity that prioritizes longevity and internal solidarity over immediate industry validation. Whether this Zen-like approach to competition translates into a sweep at the ceremony remains to be seen, but for now, MIRROR’s primary goal appears to be making sure the entire group is standing and healthy when the December stage lights go up.
