1-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) In the bustling streets of Singapore, the air is abuzz with excitement as Hong Kong’s hottest Cantopop boyband, Mirror, touches down for their highly anticipated concert. Despite their jam-packed schedule, the 12-member group took a moment to reflect on their remarkable journey, offering a candid glimpse into the whirlwind of fame and the unwavering spirit that propels them forward.
As Ian Chan sheepishly admitted, the group’s agenda is so tightly packed that even exploring the city seems like a luxury. “I don’t think we have spare time to walk around or explore the city,” he confessed, highlighting the demanding nature of their worldwide tour. When asked about their Singapore adventures thus far, the members’ responses were a resounding chorus: “Interviews! And makeup!”
Yet, amidst the flurry of commitments, Mirror found solace in the local culinary delights, savouring the flavours of bak kut teh and pepper crab during their brief respite. “Last night we went out for dinner, and the food was really good,” Edan Lui chimed in, flashing a thumbs-up.
Mirror’s visit to Singapore is part of their ‘Mirror Feel The Passion’ concert tour 2024, marking their first-ever performance in the city-state. With Singapore as the second-last stop before their grand finale in Macau, the group is riding high on the success of a sold-out 16-night show in Hong Kong and a whirlwind tour that has taken them to major cities across the globe, including London, New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
Since their debut in 2018, after emerging victorious from ViuTV’s reality talent show ‘Good Night Show – King Maker,’ Mirror has captured the hearts of millions. Their meteoric rise to stardom was celebrated last November with a grand 5th anniversary concert at Hong Kong Disneyland, attended by a staggering 12,000 devoted fans.
Comprising members Frankie Chan, Alton Wong, Lokman Yeung, Stanley Yau, Anson Kong, Jer Lau, Ian Chan, Anson Lo, Jeremy Lee, Edan Lui, Keung To, and Tiger Yau, Mirror’s global tour has been an exhilarating ride, filled with surprises and newfound connections with fans worldwide.
“We’ve been meeting a lot of new fans around the world, and a lot of them have not met us before,” Anson Lo shared, his voice brimming with excitement. “A lot of these fans were also very surprised to be able to finally meet Mirror for the first time.” For years, these dedicated fans had only experienced Mirror through videos on the internet, making the tour an opportunity to forge real-life connections.
Stanley Yau echoed the sentiment, emphasising the unwavering support of overseas fans. “They’re crazily supportive, the energy is quite different,” he marvelled, underscoring the unique bond that transcends borders.
Despite their immense fame and ubiquitous billboards adorning the streets of Hong Kong, Edan Lui admits that Mirror’s growth has been “out of their minds.” He reflected, “From the start, we never thought we could have a song released, having a concert in Hong Kong, and now we’re having a world tour! It’s been very amazing, and we’re really grateful for the chances that we have … and (we) hope that more people around the world will know more about (Mirror).”
However, Mirror’s road to stardom has not been without its challenges. In 2022, their last concert series at the Hong Kong Coliseum was abruptly halted when a giant overhead video screen fell onto the stage, leaving one dancer in serious condition. This harrowing incident serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination that fuels the group’s journey.
When asked what advice they would give their younger selves, Anson Lo’s response was resolute: “Be brave. And don’t hesitate!” Edan Lui playfully chimed in, “Learn English!”, to which Anson Lo smoothly added, “Learn more languages!”
Addressing the harsh realities of fame, Anson Lo emphasized the importance of not taking hateful comments too seriously. Mirror is no stranger to online criticism, with a recent viral confession on Instagram highlighting the struggles of a young fan who faced ridicule for her admiration of the group. Anson Lo’s advice was poignant: “Constructive criticism is more important than hateful comments, and don’t be too affected by those (negative things). Throughout these five years, we have been getting more pressure. I think it would be a lot easier if we learnt that earlier (during our debut).”
As Mirror looks to the future, fans can expect a world of exciting possibilities. “Wow,” Edan Lui exclaimed when asked about their plans for the next five years, eliciting laughter with his tongue-in-cheek remark about Stanley’s potential marriage.
Surprisingly, the group hopes to delve deeper into the realm of acting, having already ventured into local movies and TV dramas over the past few years. “We really appreciate that we can get the chance to do it because before we debuted, we never thought that we could do acting,” Anson Lo shared.
While nothing is set in stone, Anson Lo hinted at the possibility of another English single, building on the success of their recent releases “Day 0” featuring NBA star Damian Lillard, and “Rumours” from 2023. Although a world tour may not be on the immediate horizon, Edan expressed Mirror’s desire to make it a reality in the coming years, further solidifying their global reach.
One destination that remains high on Mirror’s wish list is Japan. “We want to go to Japan!” exclaimed Anson Kong. “We love Japan, we love the style and culture of the country. We want to perform there, and we could do some shopping too!”
