MACAU – Hong Kong superstar Ekin Cheng turned a concert stage into a royal ballroom over the weekend, crafting an entirely new show inspired by his young protégé’s red-carpet moment at Hong Kong’s most prestigious film awards.
Cheng, 57, performed Saturday at a Macau venue for the third consecutive year, this time alongside 23-year-old singer Feanna Wong, known locally as the “youngest daughter” of media group寰亞. The concert concept, he explained, was born from Wong’s appearance at the 44th Hong Kong Film Awards, where she won Best Original Film Song.
“I saw her in that evening gown at the awards, and I thought, ‘Wow, she can look like that,'” Cheng told reporters after the show. “This is our third time doing this concert. We need freshness each time. Since she looked so grand, I thought, ‘Let’s use that grand concept to pick the songs and shape the entire show.'”
The result was a formally styled performance dubbed a “Prince and Princess” concert. Cheng wore a regal suit, Wong dazzled in a backless gown, and the band performed in matching formalwear.
A Night of Hits and Surprises
Cheng opened with a medley of his classics: Citywide Effect, Friendly Years, and The One Willing to Walk Through Fire for You, sending fans rushing to the stage for photos and handshakes. The audience joined in for romantic ballads including Loving You for a Lifetime, the theme from the film Long-Awaited Reunion, and Hair Length.
Wong took the spotlight for a new arrangement of Earth-Shattering Love, earning sustained applause. She later joined Cheng and guest singer Julian Chu for group numbers including For U & Me and Heart to Heart.
After a costume change, Cheng performed rock versions of Beautiful Day and Speed, then tossed gifts to the crowd during Automatic Victory Let’s Fight and improvised a rock-paper-scissors game that sent energy levels soaring.
A Mentor’s Pride
Cheng, who has worked with Wong since her debut, marveled at her growth. “Five years ago when we filmed Deep Night Dodgeball together, she was three times her current size,” he recalled with a laugh. “But her personality was great—she helped take care of everyone like a公关. I’ve really watched her grow up.”
He asked Wong why she had abruptly paused her music career to study abroad after winning an award years earlier. “I really wanted to attend university,” she replied simply. Cheng praised her independence and courage.
When asked if she felt smug about her recent awards haul, Wong grinned: “Very smug!”
A First in 30 Years
The concert came with an unexpected backstage moment: Cheng confessed he had forgotten to put in his contact lenses before walking on stage.
“I was about to go out and I thought, ‘Why is everything so blurry?'” he said. “I realized I hadn’t put in my contacts. But I had to go on, so I just sang. In all these years, it’s the first time.”
Crew members worried about his safety on the dimly lit stage. “Usually I’m blurry in daily life and sharp on stage,” Cheng joked. “This time, even on stage I was blurry.”
Wong quickly noted: “Good thing you know all the lyrics by heart—no need for the teleprompter!”
Broader Impact
The concert highlights a growing trend among veteran Hong Kong artists mentoring younger talent in live settings, blending generations of Cantopop fandom. For Wong, the exposure on a major stage with an established star like Cheng could accelerate her rising career trajectory. For fans, it offered a rare, intimate glimpse of the mentorship behind the music.
