Few of Hins Cheung King-hin's many fans would suspect for a minute that the upbeat 27-year-old had ever suffered from depression, but the mainland-born singer-songwriter reveals that six years ago he went through a dark period that, ultimately, proved a turning point in his life. 'We have a family history of depression and I was always an introvert growing up,' he said.
Cheung's depression hit its lowest point in 2002. At the time he was performing at nightclubs on the mainland, an experience that still horrifies him. 'People there often got drunk and yelled at each other. I even had a gun pointed at my head a few times,' he said. 'I was so lost then. I thought my career would be like this forever. The more I thought about it, the more depressed I became.'
During that period, the singer suffered from insomnia and broke down easily. His weight plummeted and he was constantly arguing with his mother. He finally sought the help of a psychologist, who diagnosed depression and put Cheung on medication for about two years. He's now fully recovered.
Cheung (left) says he's a much happier person and more outgoing than he was and believes the experience has made him stronger. 'I had a gun pointed at me - if worst had come to worst, I could have died. I'm fearless now,' he said.
He's since worked hard to develop his music career as a singer-songwriter in Hong Kong. His efforts paid off last year when his career skyrocketed with the release of the hit single Love So Cruel. Cheung went on to scoop 10 awards at four major annual music award ceremonies and he's about to open his first solo concert at the Coliseum, a dream come true for any young singer in Hong Kong.
Love So Cruel wasn't written by Cheung, but he maintains his own songs have laid the groundwork for his success. 'Yes, Love So Cruel has been a major boost in my career but without my previous works, I wouldn't be able to hold a concert, he said. 'Every small step including every single function I attended and every activity I participated in counts to mould the Cheung King-hin today.'
However, success has come at a price for him. From the freedom to move about as he liked when he was an unknown singer, he now feels constantly watched by the paparazzi. Cheung said he needs to be alert even when he's at home.