Hong Kong singer Arvin Tsang (曾傲棐) has once again captured the attention of music fans, with his latest “Annual Song Selection Medley” collaboration surging onto YouTube’s trending charts shortly after its release. This year, Tsang teamed up with the indie band Goodnight, Lily (晚安莉莉), who recently secured a coveted spot in the top five finalists for the “Ultimate Song Chart Awards 2025 Favorite Group” category, to produce a comprehensive review of the year’s standout Cantonese pop hits.
The video’s rapid ascent demonstrates Tsang’s growing influence in the local music scene. Within 24 hours of going live, the medley entered the top 20 of Hong Kong’s YouTube trending category, climbing to an impressive ninth position within two days.
Crafting the Yearly Nostalgia Project
Tsang’s annual medley project has become a highly anticipated event, building on the success of last year’s collaboration with Lolly Talk’s Sinnie Ng, which also spent time among YouTube’s top 20 music videos.
When asked whether he intends for the medley to become a permanent fixture in the Cantonese music calendar, Arvin expressed his aspiration to maintain the high-profile tradition.
“I hope I have the capacity to continue this,” Tsang said. “Every year produces so many wonderful songs—some are obvious greatest hits, and others might be overlooked gems. The purpose of this project, beyond allowing everyone to revisit the year’s music, is also for me to catch up on any excellent tracks I might have missed.”
The selection process for the medley is refreshingly straightforward, if ambitious. Tsang asserted his democratic yet decisive approach: “It’s the same every year: we pick the songs we like.” Among the many tracks featured in the compilation, Tsang humorously admitted his personal favorite was his own recent release, The Third Person.
Collaborative Synergy with Goodnight, Lily
This year’s partnership with the band Goodnight, Lily stemmed from an earlier connection forged during the “JFFTLIVE Music Arena” in August. Tsang shared his enthusiasm about the creative process, emphasizing the positive energy generated by the collaboration, regardless of external critique.
“Whether people think the pairing is unconventional, the arrangement flows well, or if the final sound is pleasing, we certainly had a great time creating it,” Tsang exclaimed. “It’s a rare feeling to genuinely co-produce a work like this.”
The collaboration has been met with critical acclaim online, with numerous netizens praising the video as “outstanding.” Some commentators also recalled the chemistry from Tsang’s previous collaboration with Sinnie and suggested a reunion.
Tsang offered a lighthearted defense regarding the shipping comments: “I am innocent,” he joked.
Expanding Musical Horizons
While the annual medley remains a key focus, Tsang revealed plans to expand his video production pipeline. He suggested that future videos would cater to his own musical inclinations, allowing him to indulge more frequently in performing different styles of songs.
Despite his desire to increase his output, Tsang confirmed that the highly intensive “Annual Song Selection Medley” would remain a once-a-year effort, maintaining its status as a significant cultural signpost for Hong Kong music enthusiasts.
The sustained success of Tsang’s yearly review underscores a shifting landscape in music consumption, where artists leverage engaging, celebratory digital content to foster community and drive renewed interest in the diversity of Canto-pop.
