HONG KONG – Acclaimed pop culture figure Tyson Yoshi has released his latest micro-film and single, Chasing the Wind, an ambitious production that continues his deep dive into the nostalgia of late 20th-century Hong Kong music and cinema. The project, which serves as a spiritual successor to his earlier track 1994, features an expanded cast and a significant boost in production value, cementing Yoshi’s role as a meticulous cultural curator.
The track sees Yoshi collaborating again with Teddy Fan and MADBOII on composition, with Yoshi penning the Cantonese lyrics himself. While 1994 paid tribute to the sound of 1990s Canto-pop, Chasing the Wind shifts focus to the pulsating energy and brooding atmosphere of the late 1980s music scene.
High Stakes Filming Captures Period Authenticity
Co-directing the accompanying visual alongside Ho Tu, Yoshi acknowledged the creative evolution between the two nostalgia-driven projects. “The songwriting process was quicker this time since we had the experience of 1994,” Yoshi explained. “However, the shooting phase presented far greater logistical and technical challenges.”
The production, which Yoshi estimates cost over $1.5 million (HKD), was meticulously planned over two months, deliberately referencing iconic Hong Kong action flicks such as Full Throttle, Legend of Speed, and the classic romance A Moment of Romance. This commitment to cinematic detail involved switching from the previous production’s cars to motorcycles, a decision that proved taxing.
“Handling two wheels in a major production is inherently more challenging than four,” Yoshi admitted. The demands led to technical difficulties for the vintage vehicles on loan from friends, resulting in two of the prized motorcycles sustaining damage during mountain-racing scenes. One machine required repeated repairs, while the other was rendered irreparable. To achieve specific stunt sequences, the team ingeniously custom-built a trailer rig allowing two motorcycles to perform “banking” maneuvers while onboard—a move that required Yoshi to undergo intensive training with the stunt coordinator. He even joked that the strenuous shoot, which included racing scenes against other actors, left him “sweating and exhausted,” yet it solidified his appreciation for the aesthetics of classic motorbikes.
New and Returning Faces Elevate Ensemble Cast
The micro-film features returning fan favorites, including Neo Yau as “Man Tze” and Jarvis Chow as “Tai Po.” For Chasing the Wind, Yoshi expanded the ensemble by introducing Nancy Kwai (Gui Zhuoyao) as the character’s sister, “Siu Sin,” a role Yoshi sought after meeting Kwai and finding her genuine and innocent persona a perfect match. Other notable additions include martial arts expert German Cheung and actors Tony Chu and Stone Lin.
German Cheung delivers a tense performance as the primary antagonist, Tony, including a physically demanding scene where he slaps Yoshi. “German is a highly trained professional,” Yoshi noted, revealing he was genuinely struck five times. “It was surprisingly comfortable. He knew exactly how to execute the necessary force—it left a red mark but didn’t actually hurt. Pure expertise.”
Meanwhile, Tony Chu’s portrayal of henchman Nick was compared to the wealthy yet frenetic Suneo from the cartoon Doraemon, with Yoshi drawing comparisons to Moses Chan’s iconic performance in Legend of Speed 2. Chu also imparted a crucial acting tip: holding one’s eyes open until the natural onset of tears, which Yoshi successfully employed during a challenging emotional scene. Stone Lin, lauded by Yoshi as the “MVP,” was praised for being not only a dedicated actor but also an active presence behind the scenes, assisting the crew extensively.
Future Plans Signal Expanded Cinematic Universe
Chasing the Wind concludes with a deliberate cliffhanger, fueling immediate online speculation among viewers. Yoshi confirmed he plans to follow up with a spin-off, The Man Tze Prequel (working title), to address the unresolved questions raised by the current work.
The artist views Chasing the Wind, the upcoming prequel, and 1994 as a trilogy, revealing aspirations beyond the music video format. In addition to potential graphic novel iterations that honor classic Hong Kong comic styles—tentatively planned for release after the Lunar New Year—Yoshi confirmed his ultimate ambition: transforming the retro saga into a full-length feature film. “A major film production will require significant investment, likely starting in the tens of millions, so finding the right financial backing is the necessary next step,” he said.
