Cantopop superstar Hins Cheung sat down for a deeply personal and nostalgic interview with longtime friend and radio host Eric “Pily” Yip at Metro Radio, reflecting on the 20 years since he first arrived in Hong Kong from Guangzhou. The conversation touched on his early feelings of isolation, a surprising six-figure insurance gift he gave himself, and his carefully considered philosophy on mentoring the industry’s next generation.
A Friendship Rekindled
The reunion between Cheung and Yip, who have known each other for over two decades, was charged with emotion from the start. Cheung recalled the very first recording studio he ever entered in Hong Kong was Metro Radio’s broadcast room. He admitted to feeling like a complete outsider, intimidated by the easy camaraderie between the radio hosts and the era’s biggest stars, including Sammi Cheng, Eason Chan, and Joey Wong. Coming from Guangzhou magnified that sense of distance.
“I used to always think the best was yet to come,” Cheung confessed. He acknowledged he spent years chasing the next milestone, only to realize now that the memories he made along the way are the true treasures. The conversation was sparked by a recent social media post from an old mentor living in Canada, which triggered a flood of reflections on early career struggles and late-night karaoke sessions.
Yip shared a vivid memory of a tour stop in Melbourne, Australia, where the entourage, including members of the duo 2R, eagerly awaited Cheung’s spontaneous creativity. Cheung spotted a harmonica in a local music shop and bought it. Later, Yip returned to buy the same model, which he passed to arranger Alex Fung. That simple purchase eventually evolved into Cheung’s hit song “Harmonica.”
Faith, Finances, and Framing Success
Cheung insists he has not fundamentally changed since his early days. “I never really noticed the time passing because I’ve just been doing it,” he said. “The way I worked then is the way I work now.”
On a personal level, Cheung revealed a strict daily discipline that grounds him. No matter how rushed the morning, he prays and reads the Bible. His prayers focus on gratitude for his stable home and security, which he says he never takes for granted. He views his platform as a means to bring joy to others, which he defines as his core value.
In one of the most surprising moments of the interview, Cheung disclosed the biggest gift he gave himself last year: a CEO-level insurance policy valued at over 40 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $5.1 million USD). He joked that while he used to view insurance purely as an investment, his perspective has matured. “Now, I really hope the insurance company wins the bet,” he laughed. “If they win, it means I am safe.”
The Mentor’s Dilemma
When the discussion turned to legacy and mentorship, Cheung offered a remarkably humble perspective for a veteran artist with his level of clout. He firmly believes he must consciously step back, acknowledging that times, working models, and technology have shifted fundamentally. Imposing his values on the younger generation, he argues, is counterproductive.
“They have their own methods,” Cheung said. He advocates for allowing young artists the space to experiment and even fail. “Let them try, let them fall,” he stated. “That is the only way they truly learn.”
A Rare Blueprint for Graceful Longevity
Cheung’s candid interview arrives at a pivotal moment for the Cantopop industry, which is grappling with rapid digital disruption and a new wave of artists building careers outside traditional systems. His deliberate step back stands in stark contrast to the protective, top-down approach often seen from entertainers of his stature. Cheung’s message is a powerful reminder that for some of the industry’s brightest stars, the most important performance is knowing exactly when to let others take center stage.