The esteemed third-place finisher of the popular reality talent show 《聲秀》, Matt Hu Zibei, has officially launched his highly anticipated debut single today, February 15th. Titled 《情完節》 (roughly translated as “The End of Romance Day”), the song’s release intentionally follows Valentine’s Day, mirroring the painful, immediate aftermath of a romantic breakup, an experience Hu believes resonates universally.
The emotional track marks a significant milestone for the emerging artist, arriving just three months after the conclusion of the rigorous competition. Hu expressed genuine excitement and gratitude for the swift opportunity to transition from contestant to recording artist. “To release a song so quickly is incredibly thrilling,” Hu stated. “I performed a version of this track at the 《聲秀》 graduation concert, but this studio recording offers a different dynamic and interpretation. I hope this serves as a fresh start, allowing listeners to get to know me anew.”
Exploring Post-Breakup Catharsis
Hu shared that while the song is steeped in the heartache of a split, he personally avoids dwelling on past relationship endings. “I don’t intentionally remember breakup dates,” he clarified. “Once a relationship is over, one must be pragmatic and move on from the past. However, I am confident that many people will find common ground with this song, as everyone goes through their own version of ‘The End of Romance Day’ eventually.”
The accompanying music video for 《情完節》 features fellow emerging talent Ophelia Or Yu Fei as the female lead. In a narrative twist, Or portrays a deceptive character—dubbed “The Villain Fei” by the crew—who cruelly toys with Hu’s emotions. Or found humor in her role, noting, “It’s funny that my first leading role in an MV is playing the heartbreaker. I start out portraying the innocent good girl, but in reality, I am manipulating his feelings.”
On-Screen Chemistry and Behind-the-Scenes Laughter
The MV called for intense, intimate scenes between the two friends, a collaboration both acknowledged helped ease potential awkwardness. Or noted that their existing friendship facilitated the physical closeness required. “We are already good friends, so those close scenes—like the nose-to-nose shot that looks so sweet—were easier to handle. Often, we were just joking and mocking each other during those takes.”
Hu, however, admitted the emotional scenes posed a challenge. “It was embarrassing,” he confessed, laughing. “Every time we held eye contact for a few seconds, we’d both burst into laughter.”
Both newcomers agreed the most challenging part of the shoot was the final, climactic breakup scene. Hu recalled the director pushing him to extreme emotional levels. “I was directed to push my emotions to 300 percent, yelling intensely. It was deeply visceral,” he said. Or added that the scene required multiple takes, leaving both actors genuinely distressed. “We were both teary-eyed and fully immersed in the sadness,” she explained.
Or recounted a moment of exhaustion during the repetitive takes: “I had yelled at him so many times, I ran out of things to say. Since the audio wasn’t being recorded for that specific take, I just turned to the director and asked, ‘Can I leave now?’ The entire crew laughed. Fortunately, Matt stayed professional, and we completed the final successful take.”
The release of 《情完節》 firmly establishes Matt Hu Zibei as a rising voice in Mandopop, leveraging his talent show success to explore poignant, relatable themes of modern heartbreak and emotional resilience. Fans eager to follow his journey can anticipate more releases as he officially embarks on his solo career.
