Tiger, a member of the Hong Kong pop group Mirror, has released an emotionally charged solo single titled “New Song,” a ballad about love thwarted by circumstances beyond the couple’s control. The music video, shot on location in Tokyo, draws on iconic scenes from classic Japanese dramas and reunites Tiger with director Alan Lou, who previously helmed the series “The Wine Guy.” The track continues the artist’s long-standing collaboration with composer, arranger and producer Tien Heng, alongside lyricist Zhu Kaifeng.
A Familiar Partnership
Tiger praised his creative chemistry with Tien Heng, saying they have “an unspoken understanding offstage” that made the recording process smooth and intuitive. He noted the song’s direction emerged organically: “It was pure creative collision that sparked this sound, and I’m really happy with the result.” The singer described the single as a departure from his previous work, but stressed the style was not pre-planned.
Visual and Emotional Storytelling
For the video, Tiger opted to work again with director Alan Lou, citing the comfort and rapport built during their time on “The Wine Guy.” Tokyo was chosen spontaneously during a creative discussion, driven by the city’s photogenic landscapes and atmospheric streets. “It was a last-minute idea,” Tiger recalled. “Reuniting with Alan made me feel at ease and excited. I hope we can keep delivering good works.”
The video’s narrative follows a couple who are avid movie fans, visiting various classic Japanese drama locations. Tiger has deliberately kept the specific sites undisclosed, inviting fans to identify them. “We agreed to leave that as a little mission for viewers,” he said. He did reveal his favorite J-drama is “Long Vacation,” which he recently re-watched, praising its acting, music and visuals, adding that the male lead remains “very stylish.”
Overcoming Production Hurdles
The Tokyo shoot faced immediate challenges when a typhoon struck the city on the crew’s arrival day. “All highways were shut, and trains stopped,” Tiger recounted. “We were lucky no filming was scheduled for that day. We found a place to wait out the storm, so at least we didn’t have to sleep at the airport.” Language barriers also posed difficulties. “Even something as simple as buying chicken at a convenience store became an adventure,” he joked. “Luckily, our lead actress is fluent in Japanese. She helped us solve a lot of on-set problems.”
Moving Forward
“New Song” adds a new layer to Tiger’s solo career, showing his willingness to explore emotional depth and cross-cultural aesthetics. By sticking with trusted collaborators, he signals a desire to build a consistent artistic identity outside the group context. The single is expected to be followed by more music and acting projects, as Tiger continues to develop his personal voice and expand his creative footprint beyond Mirror.
