Hong Kong pop sensation Marf Yau of the girl group COLLAR offered a candid glimpse into the intense mental agility required for her magnetic stage performances, acknowledging a constant internal flux despite her outwardly confident demeanor. Speaking on the Metro Broadcast program New Town Power Music with host Lai Li, Yau discussed her recent triumph at the 23rd CASH Gold Sail Music Awards, where she secured the prestigious “Best Female Vocal Performance” prize for her track, “To’pA’ti.”

During the recorded interview, Yau confessed that while she was honored by the recognition, her emotional reponse to winning was remarkably low-key. She noted that at this stage of her career, she does not harbor a strong “desire” for awards, barely even registering her nominations. However, the specific wording of the accolade—acknowledging her “interpretation” or vocal arrangement—held significant personal meaning.

Collaborative Success Validates Artistic Vision

Yau highlighted that her award-winning composition, “To’pA’ti,” was an unconventional, bilingual fusion project created in collaboration with Catalan musicians based in Barcelona. She explained that receiving recognition for the interpretive complexity of such an “willful creation” was deeply validating.

While her performances often appear effortless and spontaneous, Yau revealed this sense of unbridled freedom is not always genuine. What the audience perceives as smooth execution is often underpinned by rapid, chaotic internal deliberation.

“In a single moment on stage, I can have four or five different thoughts surface within five seconds,” Yau explained.

She illustrated this mental juggling act with a specific incident during a concert when her necklace unexpectedly came loose. Instead of panicking, her mind instantly cycled through multiple contingency scenarios:

• Can I dance effectively using only one hand?
• Should I use both hands to gesture, distracting from the loose jewelry?
• Should I discretely toss the necklace backstage?
• If I discard it, will its placement obstruct other dancers’ movements?

Mastering Focus Amidst Onstage Chaos

Yau stressed that her biggest challenge remains mastering the immediate recovery of focus and calm amidst such unpredictable, high-pressure environments. Although she is skilled at masking this internal “wobble,” her primary goal is achieving mental stillness to match her physical presence.

“Fortunately, these fluctuations can be masked. But how to quickly find a state of focus and calm on stage is what I must constantly address,” she admitted.

Yau’s insights offer a rare look behind the curtain of demanding live entertainment, dispelling the myth of purely spontaneous genius and underscoring the intense psychological training necessary for maintaining professional composure. Her comments resonate particularly with emerging artists navigating the transition from practice to high-stakes, real-time performance, emphasizing that excellence often stems from meticulously managed internal crises rather than the absence of stress. As Yau continues her ascent, her commitment to interpreting complex, evolving musical styles ensures she remains a dynamic force in Asia’s pop landscape.

Last night’s broadcast of ViuTV’s popular talent competition, King Maker VI, featured a dramatic showdown where one mentor’s high-risk A cappella selection paid off, though the evening was later marred by an on-stage controversy that required immediate resolution. Mentor Gin Lee’s Group B2 clinched a victory in the self-selected performance round on Monday, overcoming significant internal critique and securing their win with a sophisticated, vocally demanding rendition of “Stand Firm Upon Seeing the Text.” Their triumph resulted in the elimination of two contestants from the opposing team, Group A4.

Bold Performance Choice Pays Dividends

The focus of the episode centered on Group B2’s unconventional choice: an A cappella performance of “Stand Firm Upon Seeing the Text” (見字企好). Gin Lee, an established Cantopop singer, conceded the selection was exceptionally ambitious. “It demands not just singing ability and a strong sense of rhythm, but mastery of harmonization. The pool of suitable candidates for this level of difficulty was very small,” Lee stated, emphasizing the inherent danger of the pick.

Despite the challenges, Lee selected six contestants—Michael (No. 35), Siu Gai (No. 12), So Jai (No. 68), Jeffery (No. 78), Winson (No. 20), and Billy Li (No. 94)—to form the unit. Following a harsh critique during the internal rehearsal day, where the group faced negative feedback, Lee shielded her team. Stressing her insight into their effort, Lee brought in renowned arranger and musical director Cousin Fung to refine the arrangement and vocal guidance, demonstrating extraordinary commitment to boosting their confidence post-rehearsal setback.

Judges Laud Vocal Prowess

During the official performance, Group B2’s dedication was evident, receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews from the three-judge panel. Veteran actress and judge Christine Ng praised Michael’s preparedness, finding his presence “comfortable to watch.” Ng also singled out So Jai for his steady vocal performance, even momentarily forgetting his name and asking for the “big guy’s” self-introduction, an honesty Gin Lee described as “very cute.” Fellow music producer T-Ma was particularly impressed by So Jai, exclaiming, “I heard So Jai’s voice and instantly thought, ‘Wow! I love your voice!’”

Following the self-selected segment, the groups engaged in a mandatory dance battle. Ng was visibly engaged throughout, detailing her sharp recall of specific choreographic elements, calling the entire showcase “a delight for the eyes.” Ultimately, Group B2 secured the necessary two lights to win the round.

The defeat immediately triggered the elimination process for Group A4, removing No. 53 Yut Ming, followed by the selection of a second contestant from the two remaining F-graded participants, Wong Sheung and June Yat. June Yat was ultimately eliminated, leading to a tearful exit for the losing team. The atmosphere backstage remained subdued, with even the winning mentor, Gin Lee, appearing downcast alongside co-host Joey Leung.

Sportsmanship Crisis Averted

A momentary controversy threatened to overshadow the night when Wong Sheung of the eliminated Group A4 lodged a complaint post-show regarding the dance battle segment. Wong Sheung accused Group B2’s Jeffery of aggressive behavior, specifically citing an instance where Jeffery forcefully tugged his clothing. Jeffery defended his actions, explaining he intended only to convey the energetic “battle feeling” and was unaware that physical contact was prohibited during the segment.

Upon learning of the alleged foul, Gin Lee quickly intervened, emphasizing the need for accountability. “If a person commits a fault, an apology must be made,” Lee instructed the team, urging them “to face this like men.” In a show of unified responsibility, the winning Group B2 collectively approached the opposing team and offered a full apology, successfully defusing the minor tension and closing the evening on a note of sportsmanship.

A swift response from emergency services, triggered by the quick thinking of a renowned Hong Kong celebrity, contained a volatile street fire early Tuesday morning near the city’s central business district, averting potential disaster.

The incident occurred just after midnight on Tuesday (June 19th) near the intersection of Cochrane Street and the Mid-Levels Escalator system in Central. Singer and performer Calvin Choy—known in Mandarin as Cai Yijie—was passing through the area when he noticed flames engulfing a pile of discarded items and a trolley adjacent to a service point for the iconic escalator network. Recognizing the intensity and proximity of the fire to densely packed urban infrastructure, Choy immediately contacted emergency services.

Rapid Response Contained Escalator Fire Threat

Footage shared by Choy on social media confirmed the ferocity of the blaze before firefighters arrived. The video depicted large flames consuming debris piled near a critical access point for the escalator system—a transport artery used daily by thousands of commuters and residents moving between Central and the residential areas of the Mid-Levels.

Choy recounted his intervention, calling it an act of “bravery” for the community. “I was passing by the Central Market area very late last night when I suddenly saw this intense fire,” he explained. “I immediately called the police. Within ten minutes, the firefighters arrived quickly and extinguished the source of the blaze.”

The star publicly praised the efficiency of the responding teams. “I truly appreciate the speed and professionalism of the firefighters; thank you for your hard work,” he stated.

Fire service personnel rapidly deployed high-pressure water streams onto the burning trolley and debris. Their effective response ensured the fire was quickly brought under control and fully extinguished, preventing the flames from spreading to surrounding buildings or the escalator’s structure. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation by local authorities.

Community Praises Public Safety Vigilance

The potentially dangerous location of the fire—in the heart of a major commercial and logistics hub—highlighted the vulnerability of public spaces to accidental or deliberate fires. Central Hong Kong features narrow streets, old tenement buildings, and frequent foot traffic, making rapid fire spread a significant concern.

Choy’s decisiveness was widely applauded by online commentators, who credited him with preventing the fire from escalating into a serious structural incident. His actions underscore the vital role citizens play in maintaining urban safety through timely reporting.

Local safety officials often emphasize the need for immediate action when encountering public fire threats, recommending a strict protocol:

1. Do not attempt to extinguish large fires alone or without proper equipment.
2. Immediately contact 999 (Hong Kong emergency number).
3. Provide clear, accurate location details to aid rapid deployment.
4. Evacuate the immediate vicinity to a safe distance.

This incident serves as a crucial reminder for residents and businesses in densely populated metropolitan areas to remain vigilant about street waste accumulation and to immediately report any signs of uncontrolled flames to prevent major disruption and damage to vital infrastructure like the Mid-Levels Escalator. Authorities continue to stress the importance of proper disposal of refuse, particularly flammable materials, in public areas.