If Alex To Tak-wai had to find a word to describe his feelings when he ventured into Taiwan's music market six years ago, it might be 'annoyed'.
But this unwelcome task was a blessing in disguise and gave To a spate of Mandarin and English albums that made him the heart-throb of Taiwanese fans.
'Capital Artists [his label at the time] lined me up to go to Taiwan but I didn't want to because I didn't think I could extend my career there while I was not satisfied with what I'd done in Hong Kong,' he said.
'I thought it was annoying. But fate had it that I put out my first Mandarin album there [Love Talk] and I started to realise how wonderful it was working with the Taiwan label [Rock Records]. After that, I fell in love with working in Taiwan.' Although his record sales in Taiwan have overshadowed Hong Kong, the 34-year-old said there was more to it than numbers when it comes to music. 'There are two ways you can gauge success: figures and feelings. Hong Kong is my home, and the effort I made, the experience and the feelings I have [in Hong Kong] have given me another sense of success,' he said.
The difference between working across the straits and in Hong Kong, he believes, is that he has a stronger team of strategic planners, music producers, promoters and assistants, taking care of his every move: from plotting his music direction, filming music videos and television shows, down to his outfits and the things he should say to the press.
'In Hong Kong, I have to find my own way around town. I was like a blind-folded fly. Most of the local labels don't have thorough planning, forcing local singers to depend on themselves,' To said, speaking from Taipei.
In Taiwan to finish his eighth Mandarin album - due to be released there on August 9 - To said he found it hard adapting to life away from home. 'I don't really like staying in Taiwan because I miss Hong Kong too much. My mother, elder brother [Orlando To Tak-chi] and my puppy are in Hong Kong. Even though my father works in south Taiwan, I don't get to see him much,' he said.