The intense elimination rounds of ViuTV’s King Maker VI are dramatically escalating, with the current top 30 contestants vying for spots in the anticipated final. Amidst the rising tension, several emerging artists are capturing attention, showcasing significant personal evolution and unique stage presence that promise an unpredictable finish.
Two contestants, in particular, have recently dominated discussions: Ian Hannz (Chan Chun-hei), the younger brother of renowned artist ANSONBEAN, known for his explosive stage energy, and Alvin Lai (Lai Tsz-sum), who successfully shed his previously introverted persona. Adding another layer of complexity, two popular contenders eliminated in the top 44—Chow Tak-shing (nicknamed “Buffalo” or Ngau Ngau) and Homing Yiu (Yiu Ho-ming)—still hold a wildcard chance to re-enter the competition via a public vote, potentially securing the highly coveted “11th Finalist” position.
Dynamic Duo Finds Confidence
Ian Hannz, who secured second place in a recent online popularity poll, attributes his early exposure to dance to watching Michael Jackson’s iconic performances televised following the superstar’s death. He started formal training alongside his elder brother, ANSONBEAN (a third-place winner in King Maker III), around age five or six.
Reflecting on his journey, Ian admitted that a substantial error occurred during one performance, but he managed to adapt immediately, a display of professional resilience praised by his mentors. He embraces his intense, maximalist performance style, saying that his creative vision manifests as “movie scenes” in his mind.
“I now wake up and groom myself carefully, complimenting myself in the mirror; this subtly boosts my confidence,” Ian shared, noting that while the show’s principal consultant, Winnie Wong (Fo Fa), initially characterized his performance as exaggerated, he has been advised by his brother to relax and simply enjoy the spotlight.
Alvin Lai’s journey signifies a profound personal transformation. Initially labeled as an “invisible man” by Winnie Wong due to his shyness, Lai committed to change.
“Since realizing the issue, I have actively opened up and learned to communicate, no longer overly concerned with external opinions,” Lai stated, adding that mentors and judges have recognized his palpable improvement. Both Lai and Ian view the eliminated fan-favorite, Buffalo, as a significant threat, highlighting the strong caliber of those still in contention.
Wildcard Vote Heats Up Finals Scenario
The ultimate twist in the season comes via the “King Maker VI 11th Finalist” public vote, which allows the highest-polling eliminated contestant a chance to compete against the ten official finalists.
Recent trends released by ViuTV show Kai Cheung (Cheung Ka-man) currently leading the wildcard race, followed closely by Buffalo and Homing. Buffalo, a recent university graduate who was inspired to pursue an idol career by the Korean group BTS, thanked his mentors for teaching him to use different emotional ranges to counter stage fright.
“Initially, Fo Fa often told me I seemed distracted, but she eventually praised my dancing,” Buffalo recalled. While he admires Ian Hannz’s combined singing and dancing abilities, he acknowledged Homing’s strong visual appeal. Homing, in turn, confessed to struggling with a lack of fundamental dance training, which initially caused him frustration, but the sustained encouragement from judges helped him gain confidence and skill.
Even those who exited earlier view the experience as invaluable. Hayson Lau (Lau Sun-hei), 28, who entered the competition after leaving a job as a jewelry assistant, did not make it past the initial stages. Despite an early elimination, he framed his participation as a breakthrough, gaining valuable skills rather than just being a placeholder.
As the competition nears its climax, the blend of raw, developing talent and the potential for a wildcard re-entry ensures that the final stages of King Maker VI will be a high-stakes demonstration of resilience, transformation, and artistic growth.
