China Media and Entertainment Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 124 Week of 26 October 2026
(1) The Weeknd Debuted Hong Kong-Themed Song Sampling Faye Wong’s Classic at Kai Tak Concert
Canadian star The Weeknd premiered a new track titled Hong Kong that samples Faye Wong’s 1993 Cantonese classic Seasonal Wind during the opening night of his four-show After Hours Til Dawn stadium tour at Kai Tak Sports Park.
(2) Grasshopper Celebrated 41 Years with Guinness World Record, Joey Yung and Louis Koo as Guests
Hong Kong trio Grasshopper marked their 41st anniversary with two sold-out shows in Macau, received a Guinness World Record for the longest-running C-pop group with no line-up changes, and welcomed Joey Yung and Louis Koo as special guests.
(3) Virginia Lok and Hubert Wu Honoured at The Knights Award in Kuala Lumpur
TVB assistant general manager Virginia Lok received the Most Outstanding Showbiz Contribution and Management of All Time (Hong Kong) award, while singer Hubert Wu won Most Influential Cantonese Pop Singer of the Year (Hong Kong) at The Knights Award in Kuala Lumpur.
(4) Hong Kong Films Showcased at Jakarta Film Week with Sammo Hung
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, together with the Asian Film Awards Academy, presented a Hong Kong Film Gala featuring classic and recent titles starring Sammo Hung during Jakarta Film Week.
(5) Fifth Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival Presented Gold Bauhinia Awards
The fifth Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival held its Gold Bauhinia Awards ceremony on 25 October, honouring works across short film, short drama and main competition categories and launching the 2027 edition.
(6) Leon Lai’s Long-Delayed Drama The Silent One Finally Airs; New Song MV Uses AI to Recreate His 19-Year-Old Self
Leon Lai’s 2017 mainland drama The Silent One, which had remained unreleased for eight years, began broadcasting on 21 October, while he simultaneously launched a new duet with ERROR’s Fatboy featuring an AI-generated youthful version of himself.
(7) Isabella Leong Stars in Go for Broke 2 Opposite Sammo Hung; First Collaboration with Director-Boyfriend Marc Ma
Crime-action sequel Go for Broke 2, directed and written by Marc Ma and starring Isabella Leong, Wen Junhui and Sammo Hung, was announced for a November Hong Kong theatrical release after its mainland opening.
(8) Patrick Kong’s Love and Hate Bypassed Cinemas for Direct Disney+ Release
Director Patrick Kong chose to release his latest romantic comedy Love and Hate exclusively on Disney+ rather than through traditional theatrical distribution, citing lower financial risk and greater audience reach for mid-budget titles.
(9) Jonathan Wong Seeks Hong Kong Theatrical Release for Music Film Rags 2 Richmond
Singer-actor Jonathan Wong continues efforts to secure a Hong Kong theatrical release for his English-language music film Rags 2 Richmond, which originated from a viral micro-drama and features Eric Tsang and Nancy Sit.
(10) AI Music Track The OGs Surpassed 100 Million Plays
An AI-generated music video featuring historical Chinese figures including Du Fu and Su Shi performing contemporary-themed rap has exceeded 124 million plays across mainland platforms within days of release.
(11) Hong Kong Baptist University Launched Future Film Fest 2026 and Honoured Zhang Ziyi as Honorary Professor
Hong Kong Baptist University held the opening and awards ceremony of its inaugural Future Film Fest 2026 at M+ museum, presenting eight awards to young filmmakers and conferring an honorary professorship on actress Zhang Ziyi.
(12) Veteran Manager Paco Developed Original Virtual Singers Combining AI and Live Musicianship
Long-time Hong Kong music manager and producer Paco Wong is launching original virtual singers that retain human-composed music, live instrumentation and deliberately imperfect vocal nuances to create more emotionally resonant digital artists.
(1) The Weeknd Debuted Hong Kong-Themed Song Sampling Faye Wong’s Classic at Kai Tak Concert
(Photo Credit: on.cc)
The Weeknd returned to Hong Kong after a nine-year absence and performed to a capacity crowd of more than 40,000 on 24 October. Midway through the set the giant LED screens flashed the words “Hong Kong” before he launched into the unreleased song, seamlessly weaving in Faye Wong (王菲)’s ethereal vocals from Seasonal Wind (季候風). The moment triggered an immediate wave of screams and rapidly spread across social platforms.
A custom music video filmed in Hong Kong locations including Central, the Peak and the waterfront was screened simultaneously. Shot with a Wong Kar-wai (王家衛)-inspired aesthetic of neon lights, slow-motion frames and misty Victoria Harbour night scenes, the visual further amplified the local connection. The Weeknd had previously expressed admiration for Faye Wong’s older catalogue on social media.
Hong Kong became the third city on the current world tour for which he has created a dedicated song, following earlier city-specific tracks in Brazil and Japan. The remaining three Hong Kong dates continued to draw strong attendance.
News Source: https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20261025/bkn-20261025094523968-1025_00862_001.html
(2) Grasshopper Celebrated 41 Years with Guinness World Record, Joey Yung and Louis Koo as Guests
(Photo Credit: Next Apple News)
Hong Kong trio Grasshopper (草蜢)’s Three in Love Concert at The Venetian Macao on 24–25 October attracted a total of 24,000 fans.
On the first night, Joey Yung (容祖兒), who had been sitting in the audience, was invited onstage to perform Forever Loving You (永遠愛著你) and Grand Debut (隆重登場) with the group. On the second night, Louis Koo (古天樂) appeared in sunglasses and a grey suit to dance and sing This Season’s Trend (今期流行) and Forgive Me for Being Me (原諒我是我).
During the second show, Louis Koo, in his capacity as President of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild (香港演藝人協會), presented the official Guinness certificate. The record recognises Grasshopper’s continuous activity since their New Talent Singing Awards appearance, spanning 41 years and 112 days without any member changes.
The trio also announced upcoming Taipei Arena dates and expressed interest in inviting A-Mei (張惠妹), Jolin Tsai (蔡依林) and Harlem Yu (庾澄慶) as guests. The concerts featured high-energy choreography and four encores, underscoring the group’s enduring physical stamina and stage presence.
News Source: https://news.nextapple.com/entertainment/20261026/F48A1F7F4DB8BCA3FE3621324A4AA9E3
(3) Virginia Lok and Hubert Wu Honoured at The Knights Award in Kuala Lumpur
(Photo Credit: Ming Pao)
At the ceremony for The Knights Award in Kuala Lumpur, held at the PETRONAS Philharmonic Hall under the theme “Beyond Borders,” recognised outstanding figures across industries.
Virginia Lok (樂易玲), who has more than 40 years of experience in Hong Kong entertainment and talent management at Shaw Brothers (邵氏兄弟) and TVB, accepted the honour in person and highlighted the long-standing collaboration between Hong Kong and Malaysian film and television industries.
Hubert Wu (胡鴻鈞) arrived to a large fan welcome at the airport and later performed Mortals Don’t Know About Love (凡人不懂愛) and Wish You Well (祝君好)as a guest artist. He expressed gratitude for the Malaysian audience’s consistent enthusiasm and hoped for future return visits.
Both recipients used the platform to emphasise deeper cross-border creative partnerships between Hong Kong and Malaysia.
(4) Hong Kong Films Showcased at Jakarta Film Week with Sammo Hung
(Photo Credit: HKTKWW)
Hong Kong cinema took centre stage at Jakarta Film Week (雅加達電影周) through the “Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation – Jakarta (香港電影巡禮── 雅加達站),” supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta (香港駐雅加達經濟貿易辦事處), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (文創產業發展處) and the Film Development Fund (電影發展基金).
Screenings included Eastern Condors (東方禿鷹), Encounter of the Spooky Kind (鬼打鬼), The Bodyguard (特工爺爺), The Dating Menu (廚師發辦) and Dead End (被殺的那天). Sammo Hung (洪金寶), Joyce Godenzi (高麗虹) and Rachel Leung (梁雍婷) travelled to Jakarta for the events. Hung also conducted a masterclass on martial-arts training and the international reach of Hong Kong action cinema.
A “Hong Kong Night” reception drew about 100 industry guests, while the thematic exhibition runs until 31 October. Officials reiterated government funding support for local film production and talent development under the latest Policy Address and five-year plan.
The programme aimed to strengthen cultural and industry ties between Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
News Source: https://epaper.tkww.hk/a/202610/25/AP6add14c5e4b03b525f953402.html
(5) Fifth Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival Presented Gold Bauhinia Awards
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
At the fifth Hong Kong Bauhinia International Film Festival (香港紫荊花國際電影節), lifetime achievement recognition went to veteran Hong Kong director and producer Ng See-yuen (吳思遠), known for discovering and nurturing generations of talent including Jackie Chan (成龍), Yuen Woo-ping (袁和平), Tsui Hark (徐克), Andy Lau (劉德華) and Stephen Chow (周星馳). Best Film was awarded to the Sichuan production Tianbao (天寶), a poetic Long March-themed work.
Irene Wan (溫碧霞) won Best Actress in the short-film competition for Lily in the Crevice (夾縫中的百合花). Additional awards covered screenwriting, producing, AI short drama and other categories. The festival gathered Chinese-language filmmakers, industry guests and media for red-carpet, ceremony and networking events.
Other awards covered categories including Best Screenplay, Best Producer, Best AI Short Drama and Best Short Drama. Speeches were delivered by honorary chairman Liang Xiaosheng (梁曉聲), executive chairman Guo Jinglin (果靖霖) and jury chair Hu Mei (胡玫), who paid tribute to Chinese-language filmmakers continuing to create under challenging conditions.
The festival concluded by formally announcing the start of preparations for the sixth edition in 2027, positioning the event as an ongoing platform that supports both established names and emerging talent across feature films, short films and short dramas.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202610/27/AP6ae02cf8e4b0fa89498a8d43.html
(6) Leon Lai’s Long-Delayed Drama The Silent One Finally Airs; New Song MV Uses AI to Recreate His 19-Year-Old Self
(Photo Credit: Now News)
In The Silent One (莫語者) series, Leon Lai (黎明) plays a top overseas security expert who loses his family in a terrorist attack and later forms a protection agency for Chinese nationals along the Belt and Road. Co-starring Zhang Fengyi (張豐毅), the production featured large-scale location shooting in Morocco and constructed African street sets in China.
After sitting on the shelf since wrapping in early 2018, the 32-episode series finally premiered on Tencent Video on 21 October, with VIP members receiving multiple episodes on the first day.
Audience response to the drama has been mixed. While many praised the chemistry between Lai and Zhang, a significant number of viewers expressed disappointment that Lai’s dialogue was fully dubbed in post-production despite his fluent Mandarin, and that foreign characters also spoke perfect Mandarin, which some felt reduced authenticity.
Separately, the upbeat duet Hold You (等我攬住你) with Fatboy (梁業) was released with an AI-enhanced music video that digitally returns Lai to his 19-year-old appearance during his UK studies. The pair dance and interact in a campus setting filled with cinematic Easter eggs. Fatboy previously choreographed for Lai’s concerts and the collaboration was described as a natural extension of their friendship.
News Source: https://news.now.com/home/life/player?newsId=667146
(7) Isabella Leong Stars in Go for Broke 2 Opposite Sammo Hung; First Collaboration with Director-Boyfriend Marc Ma
(Photo Credit: hk01)
In Go for Broke 2 (重生2), Isabella Leong (梁洛施) plays Sheila, a formerly professional assassin who has settled into ordinary life as a mother. When her son becomes a victim of an underground black-market network that treats human lives as commodities, she is drawn back into violence. She teams up with Su Cheng (Wen Junhui), a young man who has also lost a family member to the same criminal operation, and the two set out to confront the organisation’s leader.
Sammo Hung (洪金寶) takes on the role of Zuo Man, the outwardly respectable yet ruthless head of the criminal empire, while Bai Ke (白客) appears as his son Zuoke. The story shifts the focus from the drug-trade conflicts of the first film to a darker network involving human trafficking and exploitation, with action sequences that include intense close-quarters combat, gunfights and pursuit scenes.
The project marks the first professional collaboration between Leong and director-writer Marc Ma (馬浴柯) following their public confirmation as a couple. Ma has stated that audience feedback from the earlier Go for Broke shaped adjustments to the script, character development and the scale of the action set pieces for the sequel.
Official Hong Kong posters and trailers were released in late October, confirming a full theatrical rollout in November. The mainland release began on 3 October, and the production continues Ma’s signature style of hard-edged, physically demanding action cinema.
(8) Patrick Kong’s Love and Hate Bypassed Cinemas for Direct Disney+ Release
Starring Carlos Chan (陳家樂), Tsang Lok-tung (曾樂彤), Kenneth Lai (黎峻) and Ma Sihui (馬思惠), the film Love and Hate (情場如戰場) centres on a group of friends who present themselves as “break-up specialists” helping others navigate complicated relationships, only to find themselves entangled in their own emotional complications. The production was completed on a budget higher than Unidentified Murder (UFO離奇命案) (approximately HK$3 million) but still under HK$10 million.
Director Patrick Kong (葉念琛) explained that selling the streaming rights upfront eliminated the uncertainty of box-office splits, marketing costs and the risk of limited or inconvenient screening slots. He noted that cinemas increasingly prioritise larger titles, leaving smaller films vulnerable to short runs or unfavourable time slots that make it difficult to recover costs.
By going direct to Disney+, the film can remain available for a longer period and reach a wider audience without the pressure of constant in-person promotional appearances at cinemas. Kong described the decision as a practical response to changing viewing habits and the reduced secondary revenue streams that once supported mid-budget Hong Kong productions.
The move reflects a broader industry shift in which some filmmakers are testing streaming-first or hybrid release models for certain genres, particularly lighter romantic comedies that may perform more consistently on digital platforms than in theatrical windows.
News Source: https://www.stheadline.com/zh-hans/film-drama/3629776/%E5%8F%B6%E5%BF%B5%E7%90%9B%E6%83%85%E5%9C%BA%E5%A6%82%E6%88%98%E5%9C%BA%E6%B1%82%E5%8F%98%E7%9B%B4%E4%B8%8A%E4%B8%B2%E6%B5%81%E5%B9%B3%E5%8F%B0-%E7%94%B5%E5%BD%B1%E5%9C%88%E8%BE%9F%E6%96%B0%E8%B7%AF-%E7%94%B1%E6%88%8F%E9%99%A2%E8%B5%B0%E5%90%91%E7%BD%91%E7%BB%9C%E5%90%8D%E4%BA%BA%E6%9D%82%E5%BF%97
(9) Jonathan Wong Seeks Hong Kong Theatrical Release for Music Film Rags 2 Richmond
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
The Rags 2 Richmond project began as a low-budget 28-episode English-language micro-drama shot by Jonathan Wong (王梓軒) in only nine days. Without paid promotion, it accumulated nearly ten million views within three weeks and attracted coverage from international outlets including Rolling Stone. The strong online response subsequently secured investment for a feature-length version.
Wong then wrote the screenplay, composed twelve original songs and served as producer. The film retains the music-comedy elements of the original series while adding emotional family storylines. Eric Tsang (曾志偉) plays Wong’s strict father and Nancy Sit portrays a corporate media executive who runs a Chinese celebrity-making entertainment syndicate. Both veterans appear in substantial supporting roles.
The feature has already screened at the Busan International Film Festival (釜山國際電影節) and in Vancouver, receiving positive responses from international audiences. Wong and Sit attended industry events in Busan to promote the project and discuss the transition from micro-drama to theatrical feature.
The team is now actively approaching distributors with the aim of bringing the film back to Hong Kong for a theatrical release, describing the story of an Asian male beauty-pageant contestant as one that deserves to be seen in the city where Wong’s career began.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202610/25/AP6add1051e4b0fa89498a3772.html
(10) AI Music Track The OGs Surpassed 100 Million Plays
(Photo Credit: HK01)
Created by Wuhan-based 90s filmmaker Wang Kunzhe (王琨喆) in approximately four days at a cost of only several thousand yuan, the work uses AI tools for lyric refinement, music production and visual generation. Wang retained full control over the overall structure, character selection and emotional direction.
Ten historical and legendary figures , including Du Fu (杜甫), Su Shi (蘇軾), Liu Bang (劉邦), Xiang Yu (項羽), Goujian (勾踐), Sun Wukong (孫悟空), Cao Cao (曹操), Li Bai (李白), Zhuge Liang (諸葛亮) and Sima Yi (司馬懿), take turns rapping about modern struggles. Du Fu opens with a contemporary reworking of the famous line about needing ten thousand spacious houses, framing it around today’s housing pressure. Su Shi addresses life’s ups and downs and personal loss, while later sections build toward a group chorus.
Viewers widely shared personal stories in the comment sections, treating the track as an emotional outlet. Many noted that the ancient figures’ experiences of hardship, displacement and perseverance felt surprisingly relevant to contemporary middle-aged audiences, who formed the core demographic in the early data.
Wang emphasised that while AI accelerated production, human judgement remained essential in deciding which stories to tell and how to arrange them. He described the piece as a “tree hole” rather than a set of life answers, allowing listeners to feel accompanied rather than lectured.
News Source: https://www.hk01.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%9C%8B%E5%B0%8F%E4%BA%8B/60403200/ai%E9%9F%B3%E6%A8%82-%E9%81%8E%E4%BE%86%E4%BA%BA-%E6%92%AD%E6%94%BE%E7%A0%B4%E5%84%84%E7%88%86%E7%B4%85-%E6%9D%9C%E7%94%AB%E8%98%87%E8%BB%BE%E8%AA%AA%E5%94%B1%E6%88%B3%E7%B6%B2%E6%B0%91%E7%97%9B%E9%BB%9E-%E6%9C%89%E7%89%87
(11) Hong Kong Baptist University Launched Future Film Fest 2026 and Honoured Zhang Ziyi as Honorary Professor
(Photo Credit: People’s Daily)
The event marked the 70th anniversary of the university and the upgrade of its previous Global University Film Awards into the broader Future Film Fest. For the first time, the festival introduced an AI Short Film category, aiming to create an international platform that bridges traditional filmmaking with emerging technologies. Entries were received from more than 150 film schools across 58 countries and regions, limited to creators aged 30 or under.
Council and Court Chairman of the University Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong Ying-ho (黄英豪) delivered the welcome address, stating that the inclusion of artificial intelligence and virtual production tools is intended to help young filmmakers expand creative boundaries. He emphasised the university’s role in leveraging Hong Kong’s position as a cultural hub to support the telling of Chinese stories and to foster global cultural dialogue.
President of the University Alexander Wai (衞炳江) presented Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) with the title of Honorary Professor of the School of Creative Arts, recognising her artistic achievements and contribution to bringing Chinese-language cinema to international audiences. Zhang later spoke with students, sharing insights from nearly three decades of work that began with dance training and moved into acting. She encouraged young creators to maintain their passion, allow themselves time when facing difficulties, and fully commit to their roles and projects.
The three-day festival continues with industry talks and screenings that examine how artificial intelligence and new tools are shaping the future of film production. Eight awards were presented to outstanding young filmmakers during the opening ceremony.
News Source: http://hm.people.com.cn/n1/2026/1028/c42272-40823257.html
(12) Veteran Manager Paco Developed Original Virtual Singers Combining AI and Live Musicianship
(Photo Credit: Wen Wei Po)
Paco Wong (黃柏高), known for managing and producing numerous established artists over several decades, has created a female virtual singer named Zi Xuan (梓煊). Her debut single Willful (任性) was released with an AI-generated music video and promoted through a launch event in Beijing. He is also developing a still-unnamed male virtual singer who will perform a rock-style theme song for a mainland action short drama.
Unlike purely synthetic AI vocals, Paco insists on preserving breath sounds and minor imperfections to maintain a sense of humanity. All compositions, lyrics, arrangements and instrumental performances are created by real musicians, including top Hong Kong session players for drums, guitar and bass. He argues that emotional connection depends on these human elements rather than technical perfection alone.
Paco noted that earlier attempts to create virtual artists were limited by technology and the need for human ghost singers. Current AI capabilities finally make the concept practical, but he stresses the importance of building distinctive personalities and clear intellectual-property protection to prevent easy imitation.
He views virtual singers as a complementary rather than replacement pathway, with potential commercial advantages in image consistency and reduced scandal risk, while still requiring careful audience-engagement strategies to overcome the inherent distance of non-human performers.
News Source: https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202610/24/AP6adbc3e7e4b0fa89498a1b0a.html
