Hong Kong girl group COLLAR is set to release its highly anticipated new album Persona on March 11, featuring seven original tracks. The second single, “SKSKZAZA,” dropped Tuesday, following the debut of the album’s lead single “Tears of Light.” The new song delivers a powerhouse blend of pulsating beats and sharp choreography, reinforcing the group’s signature dance-pop style while championing a message of resilience.
A Track Built on Bold Sounds and Positive Messaging
“SKSKZAZA,” co-composed by musicbyAP and COLLAR member Marf (Yau Tsin-tung), blends quirky, upbeat rhythms with an underlying theme of perseverance. Marf described the song as deeply meaningful: “This track carries a very positive message that I absolutely love. It tells us that even if the world feels overwhelming, every action we take matters. It’s just a matter of time—so we should never give up.”
Fellow members Gao (Sum Jen-ching) and Winka (Chan Wing-ka) said the song continues the group’s tradition of blending playful energy with boldness. Winka noted, “To me, this song is all about being unapologetically yourself. There’s a lyric about ‘eating noodles with jam,’ which might seem strange to some, but I love it, and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone.”
MV Shot at Mount Fuji, Choreography Adds Quirky Flair
The music video for “SKSKZAZA” was filmed near Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, embracing a whimsical, surreal aesthetic that showcases the group’s distinctive style. An international choreographer designed the dance moves, which feature playful and offbeat elements.
COLLAR revealed that three songs on the album require choreographed routines. Candy (Wong Ka-ching) noted the team learned all three dances in just two weeks. “Each song has its own challenge,” she said. “The toughest might be ‘Trouble Trouble,’ because we’ve never performed it live in full. If asked to do it right now, I might forget the moves. But I love that dance—the choreographer added a lot of cute moves that make it fun and mischievous.”
Tomato Theme Sparks Fan Buzz, Behind-the-Scenes Challenges
The album’s music videos share a recurring visual motif: tomatoes. After appearing in “Tears of Light,” the fruit makes another cameo in “SKSKZAZA,” sparking fan speculation.
Day (Hui Yit) recalled a particularly tricky scene: “Marf, Gao, Ivy, and I had to dance on a steep grassy slope while crew members threw tomatoes at us. The hill was so steep, and we had to keep dancing while trying not to slip on the tomatoes. It was really challenging.”
Sumling (Lee Sum-ling) joked that the most memorable part of the shoot was being bitten by mosquitoes on location. “The itching lasted for two weeks,” she said with a laugh.
Return to Japan: More Comfort, Less Chaos
This marks COLLAR’s second trip to Japan for a music video shoot, following their earlier work on “idc.” This time, the group completed filming for five videos in just three days. Ivy (So Nga-lin) said the experience was far more relaxed: “We didn’t have to start makeup before dawn, which we were very grateful for. The shoot was near a hot spring area, so after wrapping, we could soak in the baths together. It was a fun, bonding experience.”
Looking Ahead
With Persona set to drop next month, COLLAR continues to solidify its reputation as one of Hong Kong’s most dynamic pop acts. The album promises a mix of energetic dance tracks and introspective songs, reflecting the group’s growth and versatility. Fans can expect additional choreography-heavy performances as the group gears up for promotional activities.
