bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Eason Chan is a Canto-pop star who has won the hearts of both teenage girls and mature adults.   With a rich and distinctive voice, Chan successfully interprets a wide range of music, including love ballads, jazz, rock, blues and even opera.

His ability to sing in English, Cantonese and Mandarin makes him all the more versatile.  Recently, he switched to  Emperor Entertainment, which gives him an opportunity to jam with buddy Nicholas Tse Ting-fung and explore new music genres.

You were studying in Britain  before you became a singer.  What did you study  and why  did you give it up?

I left Hong Kong to study in Britain when I was 12. I majored in architecture at Kingston University.

I was inspired and encouraged by my father, an engineer, to study architecture.

During my second year, in 1995, I came back to Hong Kong for the summer.  I joined the 14th  New Talent Singing Award Contest and won.

I was fascinated with music and decided to give it a try.  So I dropped my studies for showbiz.

My parents did not object to my decision, but they could not have said much anyway,  as they knew very little  about showbiz.

What are the difficulties of being a singer in Hong Kong?

There are too many stereotypes.  For example, people think smoking is evil and anyone who smokes is bad.

Many people only know me in a  superficial way. They may not understand the things I do or try to do.  I am sometimes forced to be a role model for my fans, but I think everyone should  make their own decisions and be their own role model.

I  hope people  can be more open-minded and see things in an objective way.  Sometimes I cannot explain myself very well,  but I don't want to be misunderstood.

Hong Kong people are  easily distracted by gossip, but actually music is the most important thing for a singer.

You are very popular among  teenagers and many people  have said you are a talented  singer.  How do you feel about that?

I did not get a lot of attention at the beginning.  Later, people started noticing me because my voice resembles that of Jacky Cheung Hok-yau's. Some say I have become arrogant since then but I don't think so.  I am still myself. Of course, I am under more pressure, but I am also more confident.

I used to lack motivation be cause I didn't really consider singing as a career,  but life is full of paradox. I love my work now and  I get a lot of satisfaction from it, but I also have to face many criticisms.

Singers are always being crit icised. How do you take these comments?

Criticisms  drive me to work harder to improve.  I remember when I first joined showbiz, people kept criticising the way I dressed.  I didn't think what I wore would affect my singing. Now people approve of my simple style.

Do you think you have a spe cial connection with music?

Yes, absolutely. Since my primary school days, my mother had been taking me to  the Arts Centre to learn the electric organ.

Then I started learning to play the violin. I can also play the guitar and the piano.

When I was in Britain, I became familiar with classical music.

Some people compare you with Edmond Leung Hon-man.  How do you feel about it?

We are good friends. He is sincere, nice to everybody and willing to help others. I can't say we are very close,  but  we  respect each other. I don't like comparisons because they never end.  There is always someone who is  better than you. I just want to work on my own music and so does Edmond.

What is your goal as a singer?

Many people want me to become another Jacky Cheung.  No one can replace Cheung or sing  as well as he does. I admire him because he can sing different types of songs. I hope to  develop my own style and  try different kinds of music. I want to be versatile.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a simple, ordinary person. Sometimes I lose my temper and scold people who hurt me, but usually I treat my friends well. I remember once I came back from Britain with my girl friend and saw many reporters waiting at the airport.  I understood it was their job, but I was not about to stand there for them to take pictures. It is my private life.

Sometimes I am quite passive -  I don't plan ahead.  Whatever comes along, I will do my best. I always remind myself to 'let it be' and take things one step at a time.

What kinds of music do you  want to make?

A lot of people suggest that I do Canto-pop, especially love ballads,  but I am interested in a wide range of music.

My father introduced me to  the Platters, the Beatles and Patti Page.  My brother told me about Anita Mui Yim-fong and Eddie Ng Kwok-king.

When I was young, I liked listening to  Alan Tam Wing-lun.

Then I came in touch with classical music and  also other pop singers like Lenny Kravitz, Prince and Elton John. I realised that I want to make different kinds of music, without boundaries or limitations.

What is your belief as a singer?

I firmly believe that I should keep learning  and find  ways to enrich myself. Sometimes I will look for excitement to inspire my creativity.

My dream is to become a really good singer and have my albums sold in the United States or Japan.

What is your attitude to wards love and marriage?

Everyone needs love and I am no exception. I try to strike a balance between love and work  as both are important and precious to me.

When was the happiest time of your life?

My childhood.  I didn't have any worries and I travelled a lot. I went to Malaysia, the United States and Hawaii and I enjoyed it.  Although my parents were not very rich,  they tried their best to raise me up properly and provide me with the things that I needed.

Do you have any advice for our young readers?

Young people should not be impetuous. Time will tell. Sometimes we rush for answers, but things do not always work out.

However, if we are patient, things will usually work out in the end.

Name: Eason Chan Yick-shun

Birthday: July 27, 1974

Birthplace: Hong Kong

Occupation: Singer



Chan breaks down barriers with music