Over the years, CUHK has nurtured a number of renowned pop singers, including names like Christopher Wong, Erica Li, Yvonne Lau, Eric Suen, Mau Hou Cheong (known as the lead singer of Rubberband), and Serrini Leung. This impressive list recently welcomed a new addition: Hung Sum-yee (24/CC/Music). In July, she clinched the championship title at "The Voice of Campus – Singing Across China" competition, co-hosted by Chung Chi College, CUHK(Shenzhen), and Xiamen University. The discerning judge, Harry Ng, highly praised her talent, stating, "This one is ready to be signed. She has a beautiful appearance, a distinctive voice, and excels at weaving storytelling into her singing." Shortly after, the two collaborated on a live music concert online, which has since garnered approximately 300,000 views. In November, Hung Sum-yee officially debuted as the first artist under Harry Ng's label, seeking to touch the hearts of many with her music.
Hung Sum-yee, affectionately known as "Hung Sum," began her musical journey at the tender age of 6 when she started learning the piano. In primary school, she grew a fondness for playing the recorder and even taught herself all the songs from her sheet music books before her teacher could. This passion for music led her to participate in numerous inter-school singing competitions starting in the third and fourth grades. She reflects, "I have a natural sense of music, and my singing talent comes from my mother; she sings much more beautifully than I do."
As a child, Hung Sum-yee had never envisioned becoming a singer; she simply loved to sing. When it came time to choose her major in university, her parents encouraged her to study music, suggesting that she major in music education to become a music teacher. Her musical career at CUHK has been vibrant and fulfilling, as she actively participated in various performances and competitions, including hosting her own "Hung Sum's Graduation Concert." She also received dedicated guidance from her two mentors. "My piano teacher, Wang Ay-wen, is very approachable, like a counselor who cares about my well-being and emotions. Dr. Lo Hau-man creates a relaxed teaching atmosphere that elevates my enthusiasm to learn."
However, after her internship, she realised that being a music teacher was not her ideal career. "Interacting with students and other teachers is enjoyable, but preparing lesson plans is quite challenging, and frankly, painful. It requires constant revisions to keep the students engaged. So, before graduation, I changed my plans and decided to pursue an on-stage career related to music. I wanted to manage my own social media presence through platforms like YouTube and Instagram, and if the opportunity arises to become a singer, that would be great too," she said.
In her senior year of university, Hung Sum-yee sought to create indelible memories on campus, so she decided to participate in the "CC Star" competition organised by Chung Chi College, which became her stepping stone toward a singing career. "After winning the competition, I was invited by the College to join the 'The Voice of Campus – Singing Across China' competition. If I could advance to the finals, I would have the chance to appear on television and let more people hear me sing, which has always been my dream," she said. The competition consisted of three qualifying rounds, and Hung Sum-yee, along with another contestant, represented Chung Chi College on stage in pursuit of the championship. The organisers paired her with singer mic-GO Ngan as her mentor. "I'm grateful to mic-GO Ngan for teaching me how to infuse emotion into my singing. I chose to perform Vincy Chan's cover of ‘Yukino Hana,' imagining the audience as a vast, empty snowy landscape. As the snow fell, I felt cold and lonely while singing, and in the end, Harry Ng commented that he could sense the chill in my performance," she said.
After the competition, Hung Sum-yee quickly had the opportunity to perform on television at a beauty pageant, sharing the stage with singer Sally Yeh and other rising stars in the music scene. "Sally Yeh has very high standards, and I learnt a lot about singing and stage performance techniques from her. I also met many young female singers. Although I had to learn some dancing, I absorbed and enjoyed every moment, which confirmed my passion for partaking in stage performances," she said.
This opportunity, along with her online live concert with Harry Ng, dramatically boosted Hung Sum-yee's prominence and visibility in no time, leading to invitations for several commercial performances. Yet, she acknowledges that there is still much room for improvement in her performances. "For now, I mainly sing ballads, but in the future, I want to tap into different genres, especially upbeat songs, and learn to dance. Additionally, my life experiences are still limited; I find it easier to connect with emotional songs, but it is more challenging to relate to rhythmically strong songs based on my own experiences, which can weaken my impact and presence on stage. Perhaps I should learn acting, so I can express my emotions more freely while singing, using my eyes, expressions, and body language to tell my story through my voice," said Hung Sum-yee.
When the stars aligned, Harry Ng made good on his promise from the "The Voice of Campus – Singing Across China" competition by bringing Hung Sum-yee on board as the first artist under his label, with Harry's wife as Hung Sum-yee's manager. This undoubtedly gave her the affirmation she needed. "I am grateful that they are willing to invest their time and resources in nurturing me. Although we have only known each other for a few months, we have a great connection. Harry Ng will be creating my debut song, and among his works, I personally love 'Crying Eyes' and 'Tokyo Department Store.' The former moved me to tears, while the latter has a touch of the Chinese style that I adore. These are filling me with anticipation for my debut track. My goal in the music scene is straightforward: I hope to share my voice with more people and attract more fans. Some fans have told me that my voice has a healing power, helping them through difficult times in life. Meanwhile, I want to collaborate with different types of singers and musicians to spark creativity and foster my growth. I also look forward to participating in other entertainment endeavors, including acting, variety shows, and basketball games on screen. With the support of Harry Ng and his wife, I hope to gradually adapt to the public life after my debut, achieve some success, and give back to those who have supported me," Hung Sum-yee said.
"CU Alumni Magazine" Video Interview: https://youtu.be/15hEWpWOmDI (Chinese only)
Published on CU Alumni Magazine Issue 120 by Alumni Affairs Office 2024
Read online: CU Alumni Magazine Issue 120 (Chinese Version Only)
PDF: http://www.alumni.cuhk.edu.hk/magazine/202412/pdf/CUAM_202412.pdf
ISSUU: http://www.alumni.cuhk.edu.hk/magazine/issuu/