Sabrina Cheung and Jason Wu talk to David Ho about recent professional highlights, Valentine’s Day gift-giving and their hopes for the new year
As another year draws to a close, it is once again a time for reflection. For Sabrina Cheung and Jason Wu, the past year was one in which things came full circle.
For Cheung, that included the release of the first film in which she played a leading role. “Gamer Girls was a project we shot in 2022. It’s special to me as it was filmed the year that I made my music debut and was my first acting role as a lead,” the entertainer says.
She remembers the experience fondly, as did her co-star and friend Jeannie Ng, aka Kayan 9896, when we spoke for a previous #legend cover story. “We worked really hard on the film, shooting for 18 to 19 hours a day!” Ng said. “We had so much energy and it was so fun to work with my friends. I’m all about female empowerment and I feel like the film really promotes that.”
Gamer Girls has been making the rounds at film festivals and is slated for a wider theatrical release in 2026. “My character is rather ‘raw’,” Cheung recalls with a laugh. “She wears braces and no make-up. The braces were hard to wear in the colder months of shooting, as they would scrape against my dry lips! But it’s a real passion project.”
Without giving too much away, Cheung says she had a blast doing wirework for some of the film’s action scenes. She also ended up scoring the film with Jaime Cheung, which means we can expect more new music from her.
“Spinning”, released in 2025, was made for the film. “The inspiration came from skating with the girls. It’s about living in a fantasy and being in the presence of a friend where you feel safe enough to just cry,” Cheung explains.
The song sets Cheung’s gauzy, cotton-candy vocals against a racing ’80s pop beat, with carousel-like synths and carnival-esque lasers chiming in. The result is a slice of pop that feels like the musical equivalent of a warm hug. It’s in line with Cheung’s current sonic palette of “dreamy vibes”, which explains her influences like Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan and BlackPink’s Jennie.
“There should be about five to six songs for the film,” she says. “I can’t wait for everyone to see the film and hear the songs.”
For Jason Wu, last year also brought a project that traced back to his first acting gig: Dear Jane’s music videos. Nine years ago, he appeared in three music videos for the pop-rock band that told a story. After much begging from fans, the final chapter was filmed this year.
“It was such a special job. I would even check in with the band now and then as to when the plot would be tied up!” he says. The final chapter was released in March 2025 via the music video for Dear Jane’s bittersweet ballad “I Cried Because You Cried”.
The role clearly holds a special place in the heart of both Wu and the band’s fans. “I was shooting a show in Mainland China and rushed back to attend Dear Jane’s concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum in May 2025. When I got there, the concert’s cameras caught me and projected me on the big screen,” says Wu. “The whole audience cheered my character’s name. I felt a bit shy, but it was an amazing feeling.”
Aside from these full-circle moments, the year 2025 proved busy for both entertainers. Cheung continued promoting her own music, including the release of the song “Americano” in both Cantonese and English (known as the nutty version). Despite the inevitable comparisons, she insists the track has no ties to Sabrina Carpenter’s caffeine-themed breakout hit “Espresso”.
“It’s true we’re both named Sabrina and have songs related to coffee. But I’m just a big fan of coffee! Drinking it is my morning ritual and I even released coffee beans with Urban Coffee Roaster recently,” Cheung says. For anyone wondering, her bean picks for the perfect Americano are Colombia Nogales Decaf and Classic Kenya AA.
The coffee craze doesn’t stop there. Cheung even held a meet-and-greet event with fans where she took on the role of barista and made coffee. “That was so fun!” she says. “I enjoyed meeting everyone and it was great to connect with the fans.”
Wu has also been busy. Outside of acting, Wu has been dedicating time to another passion – diving. He’s currently completing his divemaster certification. “I’ve had to put in the hours in the water, even when it’s chilly,” he says. “I’m also supporting other instructors in their classes.”
Wu’s passion for diving was sparked a few years ago in Okinawa. “I remember finding an underwater cave. Inside, there were about 20 large lobsters! It was such an amazing sight,” he recalls.
With Valentine’s Day approaching, finding a gift is no doubt on the minds of many. Cheung and Wu have known each other for about eight years. Cheung describes Wu as like “a big brother” to her, a sentiment he agrees with.
Given their longstanding friendship, we ask them separately what they think would be an ideal gift for the other. After all, Valentine’s Day gift-giving isn’t just restricted to romantic partners. “I think something with real leather, like a vintage lighter! He likes to light candles so it would be practical too,” suggests Cheung.
Wu, for his part, opts for a table lamp. “I like shopping for homeware. I think a table lamp would be perfect for her songwriting sessions,” he says. “I think she would appreciate the glow and cosy vibes.”
It seems both entertainers share an affinity for beautiful gifts with a practical edge. They also agree that a handwritten card is what makes a present truly special.
Looking ahead, both are dreaming big. “I’d love to explore new sounds in my music. Putting out an album and a concert is also on my list,” says Cheung. Much like her #legends Faye Wong and Sofia Coppola, she wants to find her niche and stand out in the music scene. “Ultimately, I want to bring something different and unique to the industry.”
Wu, meanwhile, is preparing to launch a fashion label with friends. A fashion marketing and retail graduate, he has long been involved with designers and is gearing up to debut Verse, a collection of unisex, daily essentials defined by quality and attention to detail.
His acting ambitions also remain strong. “I’m hoping to hear back on more roles soon. In terms of dream roles, I grew up on epic war movies and I think it would be fun to be cast in one,” says Wu, who hopes to build a filmography as diverse as his acting #legend Tom Hanks.
The new year is said to be a year of “high momentum, passionate pursuits and restless progress”, according to astrologers. With the stars aligned, one hopes these #legend cover stars will realise their fiery ambitions.
