Why Cantopop artist Kaho Hung questioned his place in Hong Kong’s biggest concert venue: ‘strange and incredible’
- Singer-songwriter hopes to inspire others to break free from societal expectations or self-imposed fears holding them back from their dreams
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Last month, Kaho Hung’s concert filled up the Hong Kong Coliseum. Photo: Instagram/hungkahoCantopop artist Kaho Hung has been told he is just another average Joe – he shared: “They say: ‘Your singing is also very ordinary, your appearance is also very ordinary, so why become a singer?’”
But the singer-songwriter wanted to prove that even the most ordinary person could make a name for themselves in Hong Kong’s music scene.
In 2022, Hung dropped his first studio album, Learning Curve, and two years later, he filled up the city’s most coveted concert venue, the Hong Kong Coliseum, for two consecutive nights.
“It felt like luck had brought me to that stage. Two years ago, I thought appearing on that stage was impossible. And even when I made it, I questioned if I belonged there,” the 32-year-old said of his self-titled concert last month.
“Seeing myself in the photos felt surreal ... It was both strange and incredible.”
Singer Kaho Hung embraces every stage of his journey on ‘Learning Curve’
With his infectious charm and candid demeanour, Hung has garnered a legion of devoted fans in Hong Kong and more than 200,000 Instagram followers. Still, he does not see himself as a superstar.
“What I want to express is that even if you have a common name, and your upbringing might not have been as fortunate as others, does that mean you will always be inferior to others? Not necessarily,” he said, adding that he hoped his concert would inspire others to break free from limitations and pursue their goals.
“My name may sound ordinary, but in the end, with perhaps a bit of courage, a bit of luck, a bit of effort, and a bit of talent, I stepped onto the Coliseum [stage]. So, don’t let your background ... limit yourself.”
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His first Coliseum show
During his concert, Hung wanted to capture his journey by performing his four biggest hits in succession: “Teardrops in the Ocean”, “The Underdog”, “Time Travel” and “Cycle of Tears”.
“These four songs were actually my biggest hits each year from 2018 to 2022. I chose to sing them in that sequence. I have many ‘K-songs’, but those particular ones always get everyone singing along,” he said, referring to a local phrase for Cantopop songs that are popular for karaoke.
“Perhaps not everyone has noticed, but I managed to release a hit song every year.”
He added that this success was thanks to long hours of hard work: “In life, there should be things that you need to give your all. The career of a singer is filled with challenges that require your utmost effort. I believe the most rewarding moments come when you know you’ve done your best.”
But even amid his recent career achievements, the artist still recognised the value of slowing down.
“To be honest, these past few years have possibly been too fast-paced for me. I seem to be gradually transitioning from listening to new music for entertainment, to now hoping for silence after finishing work,” he shared.
The singer was recently given an opportunity to change things up and widen his perspective on music. During the concert, Cantopop artist Hins Cheung made a guest appearance and gifted Hung with five online music courses at Berklee College of Music in the United States.
“Whether I want to be a singer, an artist, or a musician, I should take the time to further my education,” Hung shared.
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Treasure your inner child
This year, Hung released his second studio album, Inner Child, which taps into more challenging music styles and features tracks that embody who he is.
Among the popular hits is “Tinted Window”, a love song that has garnered over 4 million listens on Spotify – the track is also Hung’s personal favourite.
“I also put a lot of effort into this song as I hoped not to let it down,” he noted. “This song truly represents me ... It seems that many people really like it, and it has reached many people.”
Hung said he wanted his album to encourage listeners to reflect on the kind of people they have become.
In the song “We Fight Back”, the singer addresses bullying and hypocrisy: “Even as we grow up, we all still have that childlike side. But did we really act the same way when we were kids? ... There was not as much bullying when we were children, so why do adults face so much of it now?” he pointed out.
“The Act of Embarrassment” is about having the courage to act on what you believe is right.
The singer noted: “It’s also about love – if you have feelings for someone, you should express them. Don’t hold back ... As a kid, if you liked the girl in the next class, you’d simply tell her.”
“Perhaps we need to consider whether we’ve made life too complicated,” he added.
Ultimately, the album is Hung’s gift to his fans – this is reflected in the one-of-a-kind embroidered pins included with every album.
“I spent a lot of time thinking about how to give back to my fans. I decided the best gift would be to include a special surprise inside the album – something only accessible to those who purchase it,” he shared. “I wanted to offer something unique to express my gratitude for their ongoing support.”
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