Cover Story: MC Cheung on music, trying new things and finding balance

From street to stage, busker to rising Cantopop star, the Hong Kong singer and actor has experienced the highs and lows of life in the spotlight. He talks to Stephenie Gee about making music, trying new things, learning new skills and the struggle to find balance amidst it all 

Being a pop star means embracing reinvention. Michael Cheung Tin Fu, better known simply as MC, understands this well. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada, Cheung spent years busking in Hong Kong’s busy underpasses and on the streets of Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok. Those days are behind him now. In 2019, he claimed runner-up honours in ViuTV’s reality survival show King Maker II (the show’s predecessor, Good Night Show – King Maker, brought together the 12-member boy band Mirror, which went on to become a Cantopop sensation) but turned down the channel’s contract offer, which would have involved him joining a group. Determined to make music on his own terms, he decided instead to try his luck at uploading covers on YouTube and collaborating with like-minded artists including long-time friend and singer-songwriter Kaho Hung. 

Fast-forward six years and a lot has changed. Now 28, Cheung has largely given up on
the idea of being an independent artist and has since 2020 been signed to Warner Music Hong Kong. His 2021 debut single, "Good Time", exceeded half a million views in just 100 hours and peaked in the top five on Commercial Radio’s FM903 and RTHK’s Chinese Pop Chart. The praise continued to pour in with his follow-up singles "Overruled", "Loser" and "Pillow Talk" – the latter topping local charts for 12 weeks – released that same year, culminating in the best new male singer award at the Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation 2021, one of the city’s major music awards. 

From there, more number-one hits, more awards and more acclaim. His first full-length record, This Is MC, became the best-selling album in Hong Kong the week of its release in January 2023, and in the same month he performed a sold-out concert at the famed 12,500- seat Hong Kong Coliseum. “My time as an independent singer made me realise how important resources are, whether it’s funding, connections or time – every factor is essential. It also made me understand that it takes more than just making music to survive and thrive in this industry,” says Cheung. 

“It needs to be quality music, for starters. There needs to be creativity behind it and you need to consider the different techniques. Then on a personal level, you need to stay in shape and take care of your health, maintain your motivation and passion, and find the drive to push yourself to constantly improve. You also need to be seen and heard. That means you have to be active, and engage and interact with the public to increase your exposure. But ultimately, at the end of the day, it also comes down to luck.” 

Luck can only account for half of his success. While fortune may favour the bold, luck doesn’t just fall your way – it’s responsive, made through hard work, an open and curious mind, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone. When it comes to music, Cheung is constantly looking to evolve. “I love music because of the endless possibilities it offers. Music is a world with no limits and the more I talk and learn about it, the more passionate I become for it,” he tells me. “So I don’t have a signature sound, not yet at least, because I enjoy exploring and trying new things, and I don’t think it’s important for me. What is important for me though is that my music has to be able to resonate with and evoke emotion in my listeners.” 

Released in January, Cheung’s latest single “Liar” is a raw, emotionally resonant exploration of a crumbling relationship. He’s also ventured into composing, which allows him to take more creative control over his projects. Originating from a personal place, “Not My Problem” serves as a powerful embodiment of the universal experience of post-breakup anguish, while “Millionaire Boulevard” combines blues with rock and hip-hop, inspired by the vibes of cruising down the highway, the world whizzing by and the rhythm of freedom pulsing through your veins. 

“I like to describe my sources of inspiration as those magical, fleeting moments that happen in an instant. That could, for example, be a mood or an emotion or an encounter,” he explains. “I believe everything happens for the best. Regretting and dwelling on your past serves no purpose. Look forward, take every moment as it comes and live it to the fullest. I’ve never regretted pursuing this career – I’ve never been more certain that this is what I’m meant to do.” 

Cheung has earned plaudits as an actor too, most recently seen in Donnie Yen’s action- thriller The Prosecutor. Loosely based on a real-life 2016 drug-trafficking case, the story follows Yen’s Fok Chi Ho, a police officer-turned-prosecutor who sets out to prove his client’s innocence, risking his career, reputation and life in the pursuit of justice against a corrupt system. Cheung plays the young and agile cop Lee King Wai, who came up under Fok’s mentorship and continues to take down bad guys the old-fashioned way. 

“There are many parallels between singing and acting. They’re both a form of expression and both share a common thread of storytelling. Filming The Prosecutor was an interesting and challenging experience because this was my first time starring in an action movie. It was a challenge physically – I had to train to be strong and build up my stamina – but also of course in terms of acting. Thankfully, the crew was very professional and took great care of me throughout the pre-production, shooting and post-production stages. They offered me a lot of practical advice and encouragement, which helped me gain the confidence to show my best side on the big screen,” he recalls. 

These days, Cheung is finding time to flesh out life outside of work. “Finding balance has definitely been my biggest challenge since debuting. My job can be very intense and stressful, so it’s important for me to manage my time effectively so that I can spend it with my family or friends, as well as take care of my own well-being and mental health,” Cheung says. 

It’s still a learning process, but he has a few outlets for unwinding. “I’m actually a bit of
a homebody. When I’m not working, I love staying at home and playing video games. I also enjoy driving, so sometimes I’ll just hop in my car and cruise aimlessly around the city and suburbs.” And listen to music, perhaps, by “King of Mandopop” Jay Chou, whom he cites his #legend for his mastery of craft. “I’ve always been a huge fan of Jay Chou since I was young. His understanding of music, his compositions and his unique articulation – he’s an inspiration. There’s really no other like him – he’s created his own musical universe.” 

It’s easy to surmise that if Cheung maintains his current trajectory, he too is well on his way to creating a brand of his own. But, for now, he appears to be focused on wrapping up his This Is MC 2 tour, and thrilled by the chance to change and grow and defy expectations. “Next, I hope to try my hand in variety shows because I think I can bring something new with improvisation and my brand of humour,” he says. “I’m also going to continue to equip myself with new knowledge and skills – maybe a new language or instrument. And lastly, I want to be more involved in the creative process of my projects. I hope to become more versatile. I don’t want to be just a singer; I want to be a well-rounded artist.” 

CREDITS

Creative Direction & Production / #legend
Creative Direction / Gordon Lam
Photography / Matt Yau
Styling / Hubert Tsui 
Hair / Cliff Chan
Make-Up / Circle Chong
Chinese Calligraphy / Wahgor
Set Design / Athena Leung
Project Coordinator / Mia Chau 

Also see: Cover Story: Ahn Bo Hyun on working hard, having fun and never turning down a challenge