Final summer time, MIRROR made worldwide headlines sooner than they’d anticipated.
Whereas most information tales famous how the 12-member boy band was revolutionizing Hong Kong’s music scene with a renewed fandom tradition for native Cantonese pop artists, the main target was on the tragic accident at considered one of their 12 scheduled live shows at Hong Kong Coliseum. Through the fourth present on July 28, 2022, a big overhanging video display screen hit dancer Moses “Mo” Li Kai-yin head-on whereas additionally hanging Chang Tsz-fung mid-concert, leaving the previous in crucial situation and the latter with accidents. The present abruptly ended with the remaining live performance dates canceled as Mo Li and Chang recovered. In the meantime, MIRROR and their crew regrouped.
9 months later, amid begins and stops because of the incident and pandemic-related issues, MIRROR took an unprecedented leap for Hong Kong music by releasing their first English single “Rumours” on March 17. A change from their Cantonese-pop, or Canto-pop, hits like “Warrior” (their 2021 social commentary preventing in opposition to dated norms with eight million views on YouTube), “BOSS” (the theatrical, funk-pop summer time single), or “We All Are” (a piano ballad that marked the group’s fourth hit on Billboard‘s 13-month-old Hong Kong Songs chart), “Rumours” indicators a brand new period for the group.
With ages starting from 34-23, the MIRROR members consisting of Lokman, Anson Lo, Frankie, Stanley, Alton, Edan Lui, Jer, Anson “AK” Kong, Ian, Jeremy, Keung To, and Tiger present confidence and maturity in “Rumours,” a big step ahead since their formation on 2018 TV singing competitors present Good Night time Present – King Maker.
Spiky, sonorous basslines soundtrack the group’s mix of singing, rapping and group chanting, whereas the James Bond-inspired music video reveals the dazzling dozen donning dapper fits and high-fashion spy gear to tug off a mysterious heist.
The fellows have spent their first 5 years collectively creating their boy band and particular person careers alongside Hong Kong leisure studio MakerVille, however agree that being collectively as 12 acts as a “base.” Whereas nonetheless mentally and emotionally therapeutic from final yr’s accident, MIRROR say “Rumours” is a difficult however particular venture in partnership with Sony Music Hong Kong to assist gasoline their ambition to return to slaying the stage.
“We’re idols to those audiences; we’ve to face up once more,” says the charismatic Stanley, who leans into the digital camera when he speaks to Billboard over Zoom. The 32-year-old singer-dancer leads many of the interview alongside giggly, bubbly Anson Lo, 27, and Edan Lui, 25, to his proper. “That’s what we must always do.”
“We’ve got lots of people supporting us,” provides singer-actor Edan Lui, who listens and solutions thoughtfully with pauses to search out the fitting, and sometimes emotional, responses. “We will solely say we’re able to go to work and go on stage once more.” Learn extra with MIRROR for reflections on the previous 9 months, their subsequent chapter, plus track suggestions for brand spanking new followers from every member.
To grasp your background somewhat extra, what are the traits of Canto-pop and the way does MIRROR symbolize that?
Edan Lui: Canto-pop was very talked-about within the ’80s and ’90s, and the photographs round Canto-pop have historically been extra for ballads and slow-paced songs; probably not energetic or fast-paced songs. The lyrics have all the time been very significant and Hong Kong folks can look into the lyrics deeply, which I believe is without doubt one of the most original traits of Canto-pop.
Anson Lo: However over time, I believe Canto-pop music has grown a lot and I believe there’s no distinction between nations or languages in music. There are lots of genres in Canto-pop as effectively, no completely different than in nations like Korea, the U.S. or Australia. There are various kinds of songs we will attempt or proceed making an attempt like we’ve for nearly 5 years.
Stanley: Yeah, for positive. Okay-pop has taken over the markets for the previous decade, however I do suppose Cantonese represents a unique sort of model of music, particularly in Asia. There are lots of people who wish to hearken to music with Cantonese lyrics so there are a number of markets.
Paint an image of the Canto-pop music scene in Hong Kong at this time. You had been created on the singing competitors Good Night time Present – King Maker. Are there lots of bands from actuality reveals?
Lui: There are numerous newcomers within the Canto-pop business that come from our present, King Maker. We’re from King Maker One [the first season], there’s II, III, IV, and V is coming. We’re simply very joyful to see that many of the new-artist award winners at many award ceremonies are coming from that present. It makes us really feel like a household. It looks like these reveals are producing every kind of abilities to contribute to the Canto-pop business, so we really feel actually proud.
Whilst you’ve been rising internationally, you had a tragic second that had lots of consideration with the live performance accident. In your personal phrases, I’d wish to give the chance so that you can share what occurred and your emotions on the incident.
Stanley: I might say, in fact, it was a giant accident. However this accident taught me the way to treasure every part: Our job, buddies, and alternatives to carry out on stage. It influenced us a lot for positive. We needed to take care of our feelings—mentally, emotionally—so, it’s unhappy for positive. However we attempt our greatest to beat all these sorts of emotions.
Lui: It was a giant tragedy. Nobody wished it to occur, nobody may foresee it occurring, and nobody may actually perceive why it even occurred. It was a extremely laborious time for us, our dancers, and all Hong Kong residents. We realized loads from it, however we hope to be taught classes and check out our greatest to treasure every part, contribute extra to society and assist extra folks. We hope our work and performances can deliver again extra constructive power and pleasure to our audiences once more.
How are Moses and Chang Tsz-fung doing? Do you retain up with them?
Stanley: Moses’ mother and father share updates on Moses’ scenario, so we’re not the most effective to present that replace, however we’re in touch with them. I believe they’re doing wonderful, every part’s going easily, and they’re getting higher.
I’m glad to listen to that. Generally these conditions might be very robust on the artist whose live performance they’re at as a result of they might really feel accountable. So, how are you doing emotionally and mentally?
Lui: Completely different folks have alternative ways of making an attempt to get by way of it. For us, time might be the easiest way to heal. However we even have our crew mates, band mates, followers, and firm. We’ve got lots of people supporting us. We will’t say we’re absolutely recovered and even that we’re “okay” after what occurred—we don’t know—we will solely say we’re able to go to work and go on stage once more.
Stanley: So many individuals are searching for us; we’re idols to those audiences. We’ve got to face up once more. We’ve got to maintain specializing in our work and bringing many nice performances to our audiences. That’s what we must always do.
As you considerably shut that chapter, you’re beginning an thrilling chapter with the discharge of “Rumors.” What does it symbolize in MIRROR’s story?
Lo: Merely, it’s speaking to a woman and telling her, “In case you ever heard a rumor that we’re dishonest on you, liking you or approaching you.” It’s a really easy message. But it surely’s a really particular venture as a result of it’s a dream come true for us to document a track in full English. The choreography can be very particular as a result of it’s, by far, probably the most sophisticated routine in our dance historical past. I believe our followers have been actually stunned by that.
Stanley: It’s a giant problem for us because the track is in English. We needed to sing with completely different pronunciations and enunciations so we invited our producer Andrew…
Lui: Andrew’s really our English instructor! He joined each session of our recording as a result of we recorded one after the other. Each session is, like, 4 hours so he’s actually, actually busy. He talked to us about pronunciation but in addition the way to sing the track superbly in English. However he’s actually encouraging, supporting us, saying issues like, “Oh, you probably did nice, you sang effectively, hold going!” That’s why we will say we’re assured that it’s good. [Laughs]
Stanley: The lyrics are fairly intimate and attractive—it’s probably not just like most Cantonese lyrics. In order that’s a giant problem for us too.
It’s your first all-English track and also you’re making some substantial adjustments. Why was it necessary to launch an English track now?
Lui: We’re anticipating to strategy a broader vary of audiences—like, possibly, the U.S.—and likewise we want to meet our followers outdoors Hong Kong. I believe releasing a full English track may get us far—hopefully! [Laughs] We’re wanting ahead to performing this track on stage for all of the followers all through the entire world so I believe we’re fairly enthusiastic about that.
Stanley: Yeah, it’s an excellent step for the following chapter. We actually wish to promote Canto-pop to a worldwide viewers, I believe this English track is sort of a key to open the door for the viewers to be taught extra Cantonese music.
“Rumours” kicks off alongside a brand new partnership with Sony Music Hong Kong. How is that up to now?
Lo: We’ve got but to met lots of people within the Sony Music firm in individual, however we’ve been placing lots of enter into the music, track association, and music video so we’ve had fairly good communication on-line and thru our firm.
Stanley: As a result of pandemic and the accident, so many tasks have been placed on maintain. That’s why we’re beginning over once more, however I believe we’ll have extra alternatives now working with Sony Music.
Lo: It’s been like a dream and our honor to be working with Sony Music as a result of they’ve helped us by way of lots of issues and, in lots of methods, permit us to achieve a wider viewers, particularly within the U.S., so we’re actually grateful for that.
MIRROR is so stable as a bunch, however you’re additionally individually releasing solo music, performing, incomes big numbers in your particular person social media accounts. How do your outdoors actions assist MIRROR?
Lui: I believe that’s the particular half about MIRROR—a few of us are good at performing, a few of us are good at singing, at dancing, in selection reveals. Completely different members have alternative ways of pursuing their desires. So, we’ve completely different [roles] once we’re solo, but it surely’s particular that whoever is having solo success brings good issues to MIRROR as a result of MIRROR is our base. I believe we’ve an excellent steadiness of group and solo [work]. Folks love us for us, and individually.
Lo: There will likely be dramas, film shootings or solo singles, however being again within the group with 12 folks, we shine even stronger and brighter. Collectively as 12 folks, there’s much more power; that’s extra highly effective for the viewers and the efficiency. Being with the group actually is a giant a part of being on stage.
Since “Rumours” would be the first time some audiences meet MIRROR, can every member share a MIRROR track to suggest?
Tiger: I might suggest the track “IGNITED,” it’s bought fairly an old-school sound but it surely’s my favourite of all MIRROR songs.
Anson “AK” Kong: Me too. [Group laughs]
Frankie: I might suggest “12,” it’s a Christmas track and that’s laborious to search out in Canto-pop as a result of Canto-pop releases a smaller quantity of Christmas music. However this track is absolutely heat and about being collectively.
Lokman: For me, “IGNITED” too! Very funky, very groovy; I actually prefer it.
Jer: I might suggest “Rumours.” [Group cheers] It’s such a high-energy track and it represents us as very attractive. [Laughs]
Jeremy: “BOSS” as a result of I believe it’s very energetic for us so it all the time makes me really feel very joyful and really sturdy.
Ian: I believe “IGNITED” as effectively as a result of it reveals us somewhat bit in a different way than the opposite songs we’ve. And it’s really fairly distinctive in Canto-pop songs as a result of we’ve this funky dance model in order that’s fairly enjoyable to current.
Alton: I’ve two concepts in my thoughts. “IGNITED” as a result of I do love the funk model and, personally, I really like funk music. But it surely relies on the temper of the day. If I’m going to a celebration, “IGNITED,” but when I’m going to a theme park, I’d suggest “BOSS” as a result of the music video was shot in a theme park and is ideal for the household.
Stanley: For me, it’s “Rumours” as a result of we put a lot effort into it, so I hope listeners like it.
Lui: I additionally suggest “Rumors ” as a result of I just like the refrain; it’s refreshing. I additionally just like the choreography, it’s actually cool. We actually put a lot effort and time into this choreography so I really feel just like the efficiency of “Rumours” will likely be, possibly, the most effective we’ve ever executed.
Lo: I’ll suggest “BOSS” as a result of I believe it’s, by far, the funniest music video we’ve had up to now. It’s like a musical and we play completely different characters; it’s like a Broadway-type of vibe. Once we launched it, I believe our followers had been very stunned but in addition more than happy to see us in that humorous approach. So, I believe it’s a extremely good expertise to get to know the 12 of us.
Keung To: There isn’t actually a correct English identify for our first track [“一秒間”]… “In a Second”?
Lo: “Throughout One Second”? [Laughs] Our debut track!
Keung To: Sure, our debut track! It was so necessary for us as a result of it was our first track and our first time releasing as a bunch. It informed everybody, “We’re coming.”