If you thought fans demanding Hong Kong stars speak in Mandarin during their concerts was disrespectful, now some are requesting for more Mandarin songs.
Heavenly King Jacky Cheung encountered such requests during his nine-show 60+ Concert Tour at Taipei Arena earlier this month.
The 62-year-old had to postpone his last three shows, originally scheduled on Jun 7 to 9, to last week after contracting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.
Despite still feeling under the weather, he pushed on with his final show on Jun 16, captivating fans with his classic hits.
During the show, he apologised for not being at his best physically and thanked fans for their understanding: “I didn’t expect today to be harder than the first day; I really did my best.”
However, when the melodies of Cantonese tracks like ‘Breaking Up In The Rain’ and ‘Wishing To Follow You All My Life’ came on, some audience members expressed dissatisfaction.
In response, Jacky said: “Please forgive me. Many friends got to know Jacky Cheung through Mandarin songs. Although my Mandarin is quite good, I am from Hong Kong,” adding that he would sing only Mandarin songs during the encore.
He explained that the Cantonese songs have a special meaning to him as they not only represent his musical journey, but also the deep connection he has with countless fans.
He stressed that he respects every audience member’s opinion but will also stick to his musical style and cultural roots. He believes that true music lovers will understand and respect his choice.
During the encore, Jacky performed ‘Heart Pierced With A Knife’, ‘You And Me On The Road’ and ‘Blessing’, before concluding the night with a rock version of ‘Goodbye Kiss’.