Page 14 n THE ASIAN REPORTER A.C.E. April 3, 2023 Pop icon Leslie Cheung’s legacy endures 20 years after death By Kanis Leung The Associated Press ONG KONG — Fans of late Canto-pop icon Leslie Cheung, one of the first singers to come out as gay in Hong Kong, have flocked to the city to commemorate their idol’s death 20 years ago — revisiting his legacy of pioneering work made during a socially conservative time. Cheung, who was 46 when he died, was a superstar known for his singing, dancing, and acting during the heyday of Hong Kong’s entertainment industry in the 1980s and ’90s. His supporters, who span across Asia, fondly remembered his norm-breaking works and called him “ahead of time.” The recent 20th anniversary of Cheung’s death drew crowds of both local fans and supporters from mainland China to visit exhibitions about him in Hong Kong. Even the government included concerts and film screenings about him in the city’s first pop culture festival, which is slated to officially kick off in three weeks. The local reminiscences of Cheung prove the late celebrity remains a popular icon across generations of Hong Kongers and reflects the desire for reviving the city’s cultural influence, said Anthony Fung, professor of the school of journalism and communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “After so many years, we hardly find any new icons, new superstars who could reach that level of importance,” he said. Cheung, who was affectionately known as Gor Gor — “big brother” in Cantonese — produced many hits that even non-Cantonese speaking music lovers in other parts of Asia could sing along to. Those include “Monica,” “Sleepless Nights Restless Heart,” and “Chase.” He also starred in classic films including John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow, Wong Kar-wai’s Happy Together, Stanley Kwan’s Rouge, and Chen Kaige’s Farewell My Concubine. But behind all of his success, Cheung suffered from H depression. He jumped to his death from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in central Hong Kong on April 1 in 2003, sending shockwaves across the city. His death came as his hometown was battling the SARS epidemic, which ultimately killed hundreds and crippled the local economy. Hong Kong fan Connie Leung, a retiree now in her 60s, recalled her disbelief when she first heard about the news NORM-BREAKING ENTERTAINER. The vinyl record of For Your Heart Only, top photo, is seen at an exhibition commemorating the 20th anniversary of the death of Canto-pop singer Leslie Cheung in Hong Kong on March 29, 2023. In the bottom photo, visitors at the exhibition take photographs of the red high heels worn by Leslie Cheung at a con- cert in 1997. (AP Photos/Louise Delmotte) of his death from a former colleague. “I said, ‘don’t make such a joke on April Fools’ Day,’” she said. She said Cheung’s songs never became outdated and his fashion tastes, including his iconic long hair, were modern — even by today’s standards. Chris Choi, Cheung’s concert choreographer in the 2000s, said the late superstar broke through many gender boundaries by introducing “unisex” ideas, some of which were risky at the time. Among his stage costumes, for example, were seashell culottes and red high heels. “It told people art has no boundaries,” he said. Cheung also broke through the city’s cultural status quo by boldly revealing his gay relationship in a conservative local society at that time — a decision that could have ruined his career but has earned him a lot of respect from the gay community, Fung said. The breakthrough was about the plurality of culture that he celebrated, he said. “He actually crossed through the boundary, made a noise and influence on the culture of Hong Kong,” Fung said. Cheung’s work not only inspired older generations of fans but also those who were just toddlers when he died. University student Justin Jiang said he was only 3 years old when Cheung died, but he later became a fan in high school after learning more about Cheung’s personality and charisma from his legacy of works. The now 22-year-old, who lives in neighboring Guangzhou, visited Hong Kong with a friend to pay tribute to his idol. He praised Cheung’s boldness in expressing his views and breaking through a society strongly influenced by gender stereotypes years ago. “Gor Gor is very courageous and this is worth learning for us,” he said. Q&A: K-pop star KANGDANIEL is on the pursuit of happiness K-POP’S KANGDANIEL. KANGDANIEL poses for a portrait on March 2, 2023 in New York. The K-pop star’s path to superstardom began in 2017 after winning the second season of the talent competition series “Produce 101,” which led to the formation of the K-Pop boy band Wanna One. He went solo two years later. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/ AP) AP: You’re considered as one of South Korea’s most influential celebrities. What does that mean to you? KANGDANIEL: One thing I felt for sure, even if I want it or not, I think I have more responsibility. South Korea is my home country and there are many stars from the country ... it’s a responsibility because they recognize me as one of the celebrities. So, everything I do, and all the music I make, I feel like I have to do more and be more creative. By Gary Gerard Hamilton The Associated Press ew York — KANGDANIEL is one of K-pop’s brightest stars, but at just 26 years old, he’s already learned there’s more to life than bright lights and fancy restaurants. “I like to pursue happiness because in the end, time is not eternal ... we have to maximize our happiness and it’s almost imprinted in my brain,” explained the “Paranoia” and “Nirvana” singer. “There are times when I had to do something that I didn’t want to and I didn’t have no money, and there was no outcome that I expected. I was shocked because money didn’t give me happiness.” KANGDANIEL, chosen by Forbes Korea as one of its top 40 celebrities for 2022, has wrapped up his first North American tour with the final stop in Los Angeles. KANGDANIEL’S path to superstardom began in 2017 after winning the second season of the reality TV talent series “Produce 101,” which led to the formation of the K-pop boy band Wanna One. He went solo two years later. He released his debut album, The Story, last year. KANGDANIEL, who publicly struggled with depression and panic disorder in 2019, says the pursuit of happiness is not a fanciful wish but a way of life. “A lot of people say, ‘Oh, without money you are not happy.’ For me, those two things are separate,” said KANGDANIEL, who grew up listening to an eclectic mix of Green Day, Nirvana, Michael Jackson, and Usher. “That’s why I pursue happiness above everything.” In an interview, the avid Star Wars fan talked about N reaching the American audience, pursuing film roles, and the pressures of fame. Remarks have been edited for brevity and clarity. AP: This is your first tour in the U.S. K-pop is so huge all over the world. Does crossing over to American fans matter? KANGDANIEL: K-pop fans are all over the world but America is very special because of the Billboard chart. It has a long history, and everyone in the world has heard of it before. It’s really well known and to be included in the chart, it would be my honor. And I believe the American audience has good ears for good music. So, if I have more fans in the U.S., they would give me more motivation to work harder. AP: Would you ever reunite with Wanna One, even if it was just for one special project or song? KANGDANIEL: It’s not something I can just (plan) overnight. But of course, I’m very open to it. So, if there’s a good chance, I’d probably do it. And a little (while) ago, there was an awards ceremony. We performed together as a group, and I really enjoyed it. It was so much fun, and I was able to learn a lot. AP: You recently made your acting debut in the Disney+ series “Rookie Cops.” How was your experience as an actor? KANGDANIEL: It was really fun ... it was a little bit different from what I expected, but then the learning process was very interesting and I enjoyed it. I love working on a TV series, but next time, if there is an opportunity, I’d like to make a film because I’ve always loved films. So yup, next time, if there’s a chance (to film a movie), I’d like to do it. AP: What was different about filming the TV show than you expected? KANGDANIEL: The schedule! (laughs) AP: K-pop is a global phenomenon and most of the artists are very young. How have you personally dealt with the fame? KANGDANIEL: We can say it is true that K-pop stars are relatively young compared to other artists in different scenes and different countries ... but honestly speaking, age doesn’t really define the artist. It doesn’t really make a difference because in Korea, we say there is no age (limit) when learning things in education. I don’t really enjoy doing a lot of social media accounts, although I have one, and I don’t look at my phone for hours ... I want to communicate and get inspired by others, but not too much information — just right amount because I want to understand on my own, rather than comparing myself with others.