Hong Kong Pop Awards Narrow Song of the Year Contenders

Commercial Radio Hong Kong announced today the initial shortlist for the highly anticipated “My Favorite Song” category ahead of the 2025 Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation ceremony, scheduled for January 1 at the AsiaWorld-Expo Arena. Following the conclusion of the first round of public voting at noon on December 12, the field was significantly reduced to the final ten entries vying for one of the evening’s top honors.

The prestigious annual music event, which celebrates achievements in Hong Kong’s Cantopop industry, draws intense public interest, particularly for the listener-driven “Ultimate Song Chart My Favorite Song”. The initial democratic phase allowed fans to select their preferred tracks from the vast output of the past year. Now, a more concentrated selection of ten songs moves forward, reflecting both established stardom and emerging talent within the local scene.

The ten remaining finalists, listed alphabetically by song title, represent diverse styles and collaborations:

  • “By my side”: A compelling duet featuring Tyson Yoshi and veteran artist Hins Cheung.
  • “Lemonade”: A vibrant track by popular idol Anson Lo (Lu Han-ting).
  • “On a Sunny Day”: A heartfelt entry from Mirror member Keung To (Jiang Tao).
  • “This Inheritance” (今繼): A reflective piece by Jer Lau (Liu Ying-ting).
  • “April Story” (四月物語): A melodic creation from singer-songwriter Terence Lam (Lin Jia-qian).
  • “Byakuyakō” (白夜行): A powerful song by Gin Lee (Li Xing-ni).
  • “Singing a Love Song with My Back” (用背脊唱情歌): An expressive track by Gareth T (Tang Ling-shan).
  • “Sterling Silver Bullet” (純銀子彈): An impactful entry from Edan Lui (Lü Jue-an).
  • “Two Chosen by a Billion Stars” (給千億顆星選中的二人): A high-profile single by Ian Chan (Chen Zhuo-xian).
  • “The Liar” (說謊者): A captivating performance by MC Cheung (Zhang Tian-fu).

This list showcases the continued dominance of members of the boy band Mirror and its related solo artists (Anson Lo, Keung To, Jer Lau, Edan Lui, and Ian Chan), reaffirming their commercial power and fan engagement. However, the presence of respected artists like Hins Cheung, Gin Lee, and prominent indie figures such as Gareth T ensures a competitive final round.

The award presentation event, scheduled for the first day of the new year, is a cornerstone of the Cantopop calendar, dictating industry recognition and setting the tone for musical trends in the year ahead. The next phase of voting will further narrow the selection, ultimately determining which song receives the coveted title based on overwhelming public support. Analysts suggest the final vote will be intensely fought, symbolizing the strength and vitality of the Hong Kong music market despite ongoing industry shifts. Further details regarding the second round of voting and the complete line-up for the ceremony are expected to be released by Commercial Radio in the coming weeks.