Hong Kong is gripped by collective grief following a devastating blaze at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po, where the death toll has tragically climbed to 151, with over 30 individuals still unaccounted for. Amidst the profound sorrow across the territory, local artist Terence Lam has leveraged his creative platform to offer support and comfort to the affected community, particularly his fans residing in the complex.
Following direct contact with several fans who live in Wang Fuk Court, Lam, a prominent singer-songwriter, felt compelled to address the tragedy through the universal language of music. On Monday, he posted a self-composed, self-performed song titled “The Past Will Come” on his social media channels, a minimalistic piece intended to articulate shared anguish and hope for recovery.
The song’s lyric sheet, containing only 47 characters, speaks to the struggle of emotional resilience in the face of disaster: “Unable to revive, asking who in heaven to rely on / Still striving as usual, wiping dry the hot tears, yet the heart is shattered / How to truly revive? Don’t rush to face it / No matter how many moments of despair, they too will become the past.”
Lam articulated his heavy heart in a post accompanying the release. “I have been silently following the news of the fire these past few days, and everything is incredibly difficult,” he wrote. “It’s very sad, and it reminded me that I should utilize the language of music to help. This is the feeling I had after making phone calls with several fan friends living in Wang Fuk Court; I dedicate this to us.”
The artist extended his sincere gratitude to all first responders and personnel involved in the rescue and recovery efforts. “My heartfelt thanks to every firefighter and ambulance crew member,” Lam stated. “May all the departed rest in peace, the injured recover soon, and the affected residents find their way home as quickly as possible.” Lam’s spontaneous release provides a critical example of how public figures can offer immediate, meaningful emotional support during community crises.
The severe loss of life in the Tai Po incident has prompted citywide introspection concerning housing safety and disaster preparedness. While investigations into the cause and factors contributing to the rapid spread of the fire are ongoing, the immediate focus remains on humanitarian efforts, including providing assistance and temporary housing for displaced residents.
Experts suggest that collective trauma, such as that stemming from this large-scale disaster, requires diverse forms of healing, including artistic expression. These expressions, whether through music, art, or literature, offer an accessible outlet for processing complex emotions and fostering a sense of solidarity necessary for long-term psychological recovery. Lam’s simple, heartfelt melody serves as a temporary balm for a city seeking ways to cope with unimaginable loss. The path toward recovery will be protracted, highlighting the need for sustained mental health resources and community outreach programs to support those who have lost loved ones and homes.
