Mirror, Mirror on the wall, can Hong Kong boy band beat the blues and win back disappointed fans?
- Lacklustre performances, missing members and an apparent devotion to ad dollars have put off fans
- Critics say Mirror must work hard to bounce back, as new local stars emerge and global acts return
Saleswoman Freda Cheung* used to start conversations with customers by chatting about her favourite Cantopop boy band Mirror, its latest songs and commercials.
“The band has been in the city’s collective memory over the past three years,” said the 20-something. “It brought me happiness and diverted my attention from the Covid-19 pandemic and the social unrest of 2019.”
Her “happy bubble” burst after an accident at Mirror’s concert last July, when a giant LED screen fell and hit two dancers, injuring one critically.
The band stopped performing for two months. Since returning to the public eye, however, it has been dogged by criticism of lacklustre performances, flagging energy and chasing the money from advertisement deals and promotional events.
Cheung’s enthusiasm for her idols has dimmed. With Hong Kong reopening after three years and Covid-19 pandemic arrival restrictions scrapped, she said: “I want to prioritise travelling.”
Suddenly, a question being asked in Hong Kong is: What has gone wrong for Mirror?