A constellation of Hong Kong musical talent, including Janice Vidal, MC Cheung Tinfu, Kaho Hung, and Ashley Lin, graced the stage last night (June 13) for the HOY TV Years Like a Song charity concert, delivering powerful performances while sharing personal stories ranging from academic achievement to profound social concern.
Artists Reflect on Community and Tragedy
The evening served as a nexus for artistic expression and communal reflection, particularly for veteran singer Janice Vidal, who spoke movingly about a recent devastating tragedy. Vidal recounted her distress upon hearing news of the fatal Tai Po fire, emphasizing the emotional toll it took while she was performing abroad.
“I heard the news while performing a concert in Dongguan, and honestly, I found myself unable to sing with a light heart,” Vidal shared. Upon her immediate return to Hong Kong, her primary concern centered on the victims and affected residents. “My mind was solely focused on Tai Po and the people who were impacted. I felt compelled to pray for them.” Vidal, who had earlier visited the fire site with her twin sister, Jill Vidal, to observe a moment of silence, underscored the deep sense of grief permeating the community.
Academic Pursuits Inform Creativity
For rising star Ashley Lin, the evening followed a significant personal milestone: the completion of her Master of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Hong Kong. While seemingly distant from her demanding career in the arts, Lin explained that her studies have provided unexpected benefits to her professional life.
Lin expressed that although the rigorous academic pursuit did not directly align with her acting and singing career, the skills acquired—particularly those honed through extensive reading and analysis—have proven invaluable. She noted that the experience directly assists her in script interpretation and enhancing her capacity to draw on creative inspiration for new projects.
Mentorship and Generational Dialogue
The sold-out concert also featured meaningful interactions between seasoned industry veterans and the current generation of popular singers. MC Cheung Tinfu shared a humorous anecdote regarding his former mentor, veteran singer Eliza Chan.
Cheung recounted realizing an oversight after Chan playfully questioned why she wasn’t invited as a guest to his highly successful Hong Kong Coliseum concerts, despite having mentored him during the reality show King Maker II. “It was a mistake on my part,” Cheung admitted, expressing deep respect for his former teacher. “She looks out for me. I promised her that she will certainly be invited to the next show.”
Similarly, Kaho Hung praised the approachable nature of performers like Cantopop legends Grasshoppers and Eliza Chan, highlighting an encouraging exchange. Hung noted his genuine surprise that the senior artists not only remembered their names but actively engaged in conversations about the music industry’s evolution.
“It’s truly special that every single one of the veterans could call out both my name and MC’s name,” Hung remarked. He shared that the mentors expressed genuine concern about the pressures faced by modern artists, including the potential for exploitation. The dialogue focused on exploring the differences in career trajectories and daily lives between their generation of singers and the pioneers of Cantopop, fostering a supportive bridge across musical eras.
The successful Years Like a Song concert underscored the powerful connection between entertainment and advocacy, demonstrating how leading artists utilize their platform to celebrate personal achievements while addressing pressing societal concerns and cultivating invaluable legacy connections within the industry.
