Cover Jeffrey Ngai in Paris (Photo: courtesy of BTBAS Entertainment Limited)
Jeffrey Ngai in Paris (Photo: courtesy of BTBAS Entertainment Limited)
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In our 10 Minutes With … Jeffrey Ngai, the Canto-pop singer, actor and model weighs in on the inclusivity in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry and why he feels AI can’t easily replace him
Jeffrey Ngai is the very epitome of a rising star. After co-starring with Mirror’s Edan Lui in ViuTV’s television drama I Swim in 2022, the Hong Kong actor and Canto-pop singer has just released his new song Before Sunset this September. The song’s theme is about pursuing dreams in la ville lumière (“the city of light” in French). And the accompanying music video (MV), which was shot in Paris, featured some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and Seine river.
Since its release, the MV has already raked up 126K views on YouTube. To thank Ngai for promoting Paris in his song, the French Consul General of Hong Kong and Macau Christile Drulhe hosted a reception for the singer at her residence at The Peak on September 28 and gifted him with a private French language course with Alliance Française. Tatler caught up with Ngai at this event and discussed his creative process, fashion choices and more.
Don’t miss: Meet Keung To of Mirror’s choreographer, Mui Cheuk-yin, who fuses classical and modern dance
Above Before Sunset
What inspired Before Sunset?
Paris had always been on my travel bucket list. I went to Paris for the first time eight years ago. I remember the beautiful historic buildings and the people who were all effortlessly fashionable. When I finally got the chance to shoot a commercial there in September this year, I wanted to take chance to shoot some MVs for my songs. I ran into [Canto-pop lyricist] Wyman Wong at Paris Fashion Week during my stay, and on learning that I was planning to shoot MVs in Paris, he suggested the idea of including elements about Paris in the lyrics of a song I was writing. It was a brilliant idea, as I’ve always wanted one of my songs to be about Paris. My team and I worked to create the video first before the song was complete.
You have been a model, a singer and an actor. What other breakthroughs would you like to have in your career?
I want to connect the world [with my songs]. After Before Sunset, my goal is to produce more international content and expand my audience base to the world.
Above Jeffrey Ngai in Paris (Photo: courtesy of BTBAS Entertainment Limited)
Jeffrey Ngai in Paris (Photo: courtesy of BTBAS Entertainment Limited)
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What inspired you to join the entertainment industry in the first place?
At first, I was reluctant to join the entertainment industry. I heard from industry insiders that couples usually break up when they join the local entertainment industry [because of publicity reasons]. By chance, my girlfriend and I appeared on ViuTV’s variety show Be a Better Man [in 2020] which was about relationships. The show was proof that we didn’t have to break up. Then I got the chance to star in On Game [a game show which premiered in 2020]. The crew showed me that the industry can be a friendly and fun environment to work in.
I went on to take acting classes. Acting had always been one of my greatest fears, especially after I got pressured to perform onstage at various occasions before becoming an actor. But over the years I learnt to face the problem head on and to just do it. It is only through experiencing and trying something will you realise that sometimes your fear is only your false impression of something.
It’s been three years since your debut. What was the high point of your career so far?
Starring in I Swim [ViuTV’s drama about a school’s swimming team in which Ngai co-starred with Mirror member Edan Lui]. It was a great team experience to shoot with a group of similarly aged actors for five months. I remember it was very cold when we shot it, but everybody gave their best performances and enjoyed the process. It took me back to my [school] days.
Above A still from “Before Sunset” (Photo: courtesy of BTBAS Entertainment Limited)
A still from “Before Sunset” (Photo: courtesy of BTBAS Entertainment Limited)
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As a Hongkonger with Dutch and Indonesian heritages, do you feel the local entertainment industry is a diverse and inclusive environment?
I feel that it’s quite diverse. I was given the chance to take on a lot of different roles and projects. The funny thing was, people thought I didn’t know how to speak Cantonese because of my Eurasian look, so when I first joined the industry, people spoke to me in English, despite Cantonese being my mother tongue.
How have AI and social media influenced your trajectory as a musician or public figure? Do you see AI as a threat or a tool for the future of your career?
It’s hard to predict how AI will change our future. There’s the possibility that some jobs will be replaced by technology. But all in all, technological advancement is a good thing for the world because it makes lives convenient. For me, it’s important to live in the moment and to hone my skills and use my talents to the fullest. It’s only then that I can ensure that I won’t be replaced so easily by AI.
Above A still from “Before Sunset” (Photo: courtesy of BTBAS Entertainment Limited)
A still from “Before Sunset” (Photo: courtesy of BTBAS Entertainment Limited)
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Could you share some style tips for an autumn wardrobe?
Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. I love experimenting with layers and tone-on-tone colour combinations. People usually go for earthy hues in autumn, but sometimes I like to be different. I love mixing and matching vibrant colours. My looks aren’t always well received, but that’s the spirit of fashion—[designers] aren’t always successful on their debut. But when you’ve gained more experience and criticism, you know how to put on the best look.
You’ve been an ambassador for different fashion brands. What are your selection criteria for the brands that you work with?
I look for brands with a history that matches my own bold visions and ideals. I like designers who are courageous to present unconventional looks. Similarly, I love giving things a try first, not caring too much about what people might think and forming my own opinion instead.
Any upcoming plans?
It would be wonderful if I can learn and speak French. I’d also love to explore different cultures and countries. I grew up watching [American TV series] Gossip Girl, but I’ve never been to the US, so I want to travel there the most.
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Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
