Former girl group member Winky (黃健怡), stepping into her solo career, has released her latest single, “超市關門前” (Closing Time at the Supermarket), a reflective ballad that delves into the societal pressures and quiet anxieties surrounding love and independence. Following her early-year release, The Land of the Little People, the new track leverages top industry talent, including lyrics by the renowned Wyman Wong (黃偉文), arrangement by Wong Siu-ming (黃兆銘), production by Chan Ko-wai (陳考威), and a music video directed by Tim from the band Dear Jane.
The emotional track marks Winky’s first foray into pure romantic lyricism, yet she points out that its themes resonate far beyond dating. “The core idea is the necessity of presenting oneself completely nakedly, emotionally,” Winky shared. “As the lyrics suggest, ‘Someone with my personality is only brave on the surface, but deeply uneasy.’ That applies not just to romance but to family, relationships, and even career choices. As I navigate this solo journey, external observers might see boldness, but internally, there is immense struggle and unease.”
Challenging the Clock on Marriage
The song itself uses the concept of a “closing supermarket” to explore the established expectations society places on women, particularly the implicit or explicit deadlines to marry. However, Winky questions whether women should alter their self-worth or lower their requirements merely to conform to these external timetables.
For the singer, who describes herself as fiercely independent, the concept of marriage remains distant. “I’ve only been in one relationship, and honestly, I didn’t even know fully what love was when I got into it,” she admitted. “The topic of marriage feels very foreign to me. Do we really need to ‘adjust the goods to fit the price?’ I believe our generation is different; in the past, many felt compelled to marry and have children before 30. If it’s just marrying for the sake of marriage, I would much rather wait for the person with whom I genuinely can spend the rest of my life.”
Winky noted that she frequently fields questions from colleagues and friends about her dating life, but she maintains her conviction that happiness is achievable without a partner. “Why must I have a boyfriend? Especially as a singer-songwriter, I require more space and time for creation. Relatively speaking, I feel much more comfortable and free living independently,” she explained.
Creative Synergy and Vulnerability
The new single marks Winky’s third collaboration with lyricist Wyman Wong, a partnership she highly values. She stated that receiving the lyrics for “Closing Time at the Supermarket” was emotionally arresting due to its intense resonance.
“It was genuinely shocking; it felt like Wyman had seen the real me and put all my internal dialogue directly into the lyrics,” she recalled, adding that their connection grew from an initial online conversation to a face-to-face meeting in Europe. “We didn’t discuss future music projects over that actual dinner; we simply shared small life experiences. I believe he understood many of my personal characteristics, which led to him writing this profoundly moving piece for me.”
She further confessed that the song’s tension—being outwardly confident yet inwardly vulnerable—perfectly reflects her decision to leave her former group and pursue a solo career this year. “It’s been a year of massive changes, forcing me to make every decision myself. While I might project bravery or even nonchalance, there is absolutely a great deal of anxiety and worry pulsing beneath the surface.”
Winky also extended gratitude toward producer Chan Ko-wai, whom she calls a significant benefactor in her musical journey. It was Chan who first facilitated her collaboration with Wyman Wong on an earlier song, commencing their creative relationship. The director of the MV, Tim, was also connected through Chan, guiding Winky through what she called her most challenging music video to date, which included a solo scene requiring intense acting and tears followed by a forced smile. To perfect the challenging sequence, Winky sought professional acting training. Her commitment underscores the dedication required to blend raw emotion with top-tier production in the competitive pop music landscape.
