Culture Club | Let there be hope for Hong Kong, and let it be The Voice of the Stars

Before Occupy Central becomes a reality, two things are occupying the minds of many Hongkongers lately: 1) pseudo model-turned Hong Kong Film Award-winning actress Dada Chan’s claim she will retire from in front of the camera due to depression (which has broken the hearts of many lonely boys); 2) the racy love scenes and commercial airline pilot-cum-womaniser “Captain Cool”, played by Julian Cheung Chi-lam in TVB hit drama series Triumph in the Skies II, which is watched by more than 2 million people in Hong Kong and has more than 100 million internet hits for each episode in mainland China.

But what interests me more lately is how reality show The Voice of the Stars has successfully transformed Frederick “Fred” Cheng from a little known TV actor into an overnight singing sensation in Hong Kong.

The Voice of the Stars is TVB’s latest reality show and offers the stage to an array of little known actors who compete in a singing contest. The relatively easy and low cost production not only sells air time but also gives these young TV artistes an exposure they would not otherwise have. And the biggest winner so far is Fred Cheng.

Cheng has been the top scorer of the show since it debuted few weeks ago. The actor, whose name most viewers didn’t remember, suddenly became a household name. His angelic voice and sincere performances won over the hearts of not only judges but also audiences. He seized the chance to showcase his musical talent in a recent episode in which he performed Tracy Chapman’s Give Me One Reason together with his guitar riffs. Within his two-and-a-half-minute performance, the shy babyfaced Cheng transformed himself into a rock star who owned the stage and the audience. Even veteran music producer Chiu Tsang-hei, one of the judges of that particular episode, wrote on his Weibo: “Just when I thought [judging for singing contest reality shows] has become a routine, last Sunday’s [The Voice of the Stars] is quite a surprise. I have given the highest score I’ve ever given out so far. I love surprises!!! Way to go, Fred!!!”

Cheng’s musical talent is indisputable. But what makes him the new darling of Hong Kong is his story.

Hong Kong people are mean - deep down they hate those who were born rich; they despise the poor who make no contribution to the society. But Hong Kong people are also kind – they appreciate those who work their way up from the bottom. And this is the case of Cheng.