Hong Kong Boyband Mirror Debuts English Single 'Rumours' on Mar. 17
Hong Kong Canto-pop band Mirror will release its first English-language single, “Rumours,” on Mar. 17, aimed at expanding its global audience beyond its cult following in Hong Kong.
The mature EDM track is a departure from the band’s previous Cantonese-language hits like “Boss” and “Ignited,” which feature funky and retro-disco style music.
According to an interview with the band members on Variety, the 12-member group, most of whom grew up speaking Cantonese, said performing in English was a significant challenge, but language coach’s assistance helped record the song.
Accompanied with a swanky music video, “Rumours” will be released on March 17 and streamed across all digital platforms. The Hong Kong-based group also revealed that performing music in different languages and culture were some of the challenges they faced.
Mirror achieved local city superstardom in 2020 after a talent contest-reality show called “King Maker” in 2018. Its success only grew during Hong Kong’s prolonged COVID-19 restrictions, when international artists were unable to perform in the city.
Mirror member Anson Lo told Variety that the band has been preparing for a long time, not only to perfect their dance practices, but also to record a song in English.
The twelve-man Cantopop boy group has become a driving force in the renewed interest in the Cantonese pop genre in recent years.
Formed via ViuTV's reality talent show Good Night Show - King Maker in 2018, the group consists of twelve members, including Keung To, Anson Lo, Ian Chan, Eden Lui, Anson Kong, Jui Lau, Jeremy Lee, Frankie Chan, Alton Wong, Lokman Yeung, Stanley Yau, and Tiger Yau.
Mirror's debut single, "In a Second", released in 2018, and they've since won numerous awards, including group of the year at the inaugural Chill Club Music Awards, and Top Ten Song of the Year at the Ultimate Song Chart Awards for their 2020 single, "Ignited".
Their most recent release, "Warrior", topped the Ultimate 903 Chart for two weeks, the first song by a group to do so in 15 years. Mirror's success has prompted an unprecedented wave of fandom culture in Hong Kong, and they're widely considered to be at the forefront of the genre's resurgence.
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